The Simpsons in Japan

Finally, The Simpson family has made it to Japan-

Nikko and Fukushima Trip- MAP

Here is a great map Kazumi made of our trip. Be sure to zoom in and click the different icons.

Click here----> Map


View Fukushiam trip from June 13 to 15th in a larger map

Nikko and Fukushima Trip- Race cars and Albinos

Yayyy, the last day of the trip! In the area, I was aware of the presence of the infamous Ebisu Circuit. So, a while ago, famous drift racer, Kumakubo, decided to take a chunk of his rich families mountain land and build a race track. Seven of them. And a zoo with the largest collection of albino animals. I love this guy!

This is the mecha of drifting. I picked up a car magazine and saw that they had some normal Monday racing going on so I begged Kazumi to go and soon we were here-

We accidentally went in the Exit so we didn't pay a thing. Yay.

Hmm, which course should we look at first?

How about the touge?

Hmm, lets try the East course. Nice view eh?

Greeted by a nice Sil-eighty-

As well as an even nicer silvia-
I really liked the DIY rear diffuser on this Suzuki Swift-

A graveyard of grip and drift cars-

Hmm, I wonder what an engine like this feels like?

Well, it feels like this-


Two friends were practicing on the skid pad so I started to chat with them and of course I just had to ask for a ride. Super nice guy that he was, of course that was okay! Too bad the picture of us didn't come out too well.

Here is a picture of the car. Nissan S15 Silvia-

Afterward, I felt like number 1.

Translation- Ebisu Driftland. Woo.

Oh, didn't I mention they had a zoo here? With the world's largest collection of albino animals? Oh Kumakubo. You crazy.

Sky Rider approves!

After here, we had a loooooong drive home so we left to find more adventure. In a town near by, I yelled at Kazumi to stop the car so I could check out Team Oranges headquarters that I had luckily spotted. Super famous racing team and shop. By the way, the head driver/owner is the guy responsible for Ebisu Circuit.

Their 600hp Evo 9-

After the last photo was taken, the head mechanic came out to talk to me. Super nice guy that was happy to hear my story as well as answer any questions that I had. He then let me snoop around the garages to take more pictures of anything I wanted.

Their 650hp GDB. Notice the four gigantic red tubes in the back that lead to a trunk mounted radiator that vents out those two large vents cut in the back. Heat is a drifters nightmare. He also let me take a seat in the above car. After taking off the steering wheel, climbing over the rollcage door bar, and squeezing into a bucket seat meant for a small Japanese man, I felt like a drifter. The driving notes from the Odaiba drift event can be seen to the left.

From here, it was mainly just driving home. We stopped at some castle ruins to take a picture or two. Your really should click on ALL my pictures to make them bigger-

We stopped for dinner on the water. Saw a funky tower. And, finally, I leave you with this-

Nikko and Fukushima Trip- Lakes and Mountains

Ahh, the last day of our trip! It was beautiful weather and we were geared to see some bears. This area, especially Mt. Bandai is famous for bears and there are warning signs everywhere. Did we see one? No.

First, a picture of us at the hotel-

This area is also home to Lake Inawashiro. A very large and beautiful lake that is photogenic. Alsoooo, on the hotel side of Mt. Bandai are three large lakes that are also quite popular spots for nature and sports lovers.

One of the smaller lakes-
With some fun entertainment-
Every body of water in Japan bigger than my apartment has these-

Me and Bandai-san-

Me and Lake Inawashiro-

One thing I noticed in Japan is the total lack of development on the water. Lakes, ponds, ocean. Maybe on the river but nowadays, most rivers are concrete lined are not as picturesque as you would think. Can you imagine a lake in the USA with this kind of coast line?!

You can find people sleeping in their car in any place at any time of the day-

Noguchi!

Actually, I give the next, most incredible part of the trip, its own post. Be sure to check it out!

Quite a common problem for me

This happens to me more often than you would think.



Check out the other videos from that user.

Nikko and Fukushima Trip- Day 2 cont'd

We then proceeded to a famous historical village. Check the map for a name since I forget. Again, in the middle of nowhere with tons of traffic and tour buses. The area we spent most of this trip in is famous for soba (buckwheat noodles) and this is all you can get. Anywhere. We were so sick of them at this point we were desperate for anything else and after much searching here we found normal udon noodles.


From here it was back on the road.

Ahhh, so beautiful.

Really?-

Most Seven Elevens in Japan have the usual orange and green theme but in Northern Japan they change it to brown. The only reason I can think of for this is to create less of an eye sore in the more natural setting.

A cemetery in the middle of the rice fields-

We then checked into our hotel which I do not know the name of. It is part of the Tokyu Harvest Club and you can see the website by clicking here. It is an amazing hotel that takes quite a while to get to via mountain roads. It has its own ski area and whatnot. Quite nice.

We then left to go find dinner in the nearby city. We ended up having trusty yaki-niku and headed back. This area is famous for Dr. Noguchi. So famous that Sapporo beer company honored him with his own can-
Oh, he is on the 1000yen bank note as well. Just a little famous.

Next time, the final and most exciting day!

"Luv (sic) pt. 2" by Nujabes feat. Shing02

Here is an interesting video that made me smile. Not too shabby music either.