Our trip to Tokyo began with a long flight from Los Angeles, but the excitement made it feel quick. After landing, we jumped straight into the city’s energy. Tokyo’s neon lights, bustling streets, and towering skyscrapers were everything we imagined. We wandered around, tried some amazing food, and even had our first taste of Wagyu beef at a local spot, definitely a highlight.

The next day, it was all about the Tokyo Auto Salon 2025. From the moment we arrived, we were blown away by the level of detail in every car build. It was a dream to see all the brands and builds we grew up admiring in person. The event was perfectly organized, and we got to catch up with Mark Arcenal and Riko Style, who had brought his custom 86 Corolla builds all the way from the U.S. just for the show.

After walking nearly 30,000 steps, we were exhausted but couldn’t wait to go back the next day for more. The Tokyo Auto Salon is the pinnacle of car culture, and we’re already looking forward to sharing more from the trip.

Later that evening, We took a train to Daikanyama for Collect Everything’s meetup at the Karrera Cafe. It had such a chill vibe, like a coffee shop with an automotive twist. The event featured a custom-built Porsche by Kazuki Madlane and a pristine Nissan Fairlady Z. The display also showcased some awesome photos, trophies, and stories that brought the car culture from the Philippines to Japan. We even picked up some cool pins by Leen Customs and ran into Mark Arcenal, Kev Carlos, and friends from Daikanyama Garage.

Later, I headed to Sara Choi’s underground car meet, where a variety of unique cars gathered. Unfortunately, the first location was shut down by the local police due to the crowd. We all quickly relocated, but that spot was shut down too! Getting out of the parking area was a challenge, but luckily, I met a local who offered me a ride out.

Stay tuned for more posts as we continue our journey through Japan!

Photos by: Junney Mock