I've seen Japan through the speedhunting eyes of Mike Garrett and Dino Dalle Carbonare. I've watched various Japanese films, documentaries, and Animes. But after all that, I was not ready for what I've been experiencing in Japan. 

My first speedhunting trip of 2011 started off at the dreary Los Angeles airport, LAX. 

After passing through the usual security checks, I made my way through the terminal to board my Korea Air Boeing 777. I've never flown Korea Air before, and I must say, it was a pleasant flight. My seat featured a touch screen display with the usual entertainment options, a USB power plug and underneath my seat was an electric plug for my laptop.

An 11 hour flight with fully charged electronics? No complaints on my end!

Not too long after we were in the air, our first meal of the flight was offered. It was a popular Korean dish of bibimbap and a seaweed soup. Compared to the other airplane food offerings I've had, this was very edible, if not the best airplane food I've had so far. 

The meal came with a tube filled with a chili sauce for my rice mixture. Without it, the meal would not be bibimbap.  

About a three quarters into the flight, the second meal was offered. It was a rice dish with chicken, potatos, and carrots. Though, not as enjoyable as the first meal, it was still one of the best airplane meals I've had. 

11 hours and 5,451 miles later, I arrive in Tokyo. 

Not too long after I land, I meet up with my week's travel companion, Planet Zero/Import Reactor/Anime Matsuri's very own, John Leigh. We took the high speed train from the Tokyo airport to our hotel in Shinjuku, Tokyo. 

This is my hotel room which is easily, the smallest hotel room I've ever been in. This lack of space was quite a change from to my space spoiled American butt. 

Though, I have to admit that the toilets took a while to get used to.

After we settled in, we went out exploring.

I've had the opportunity to visit and experience a few metropolis' in my time, but after I felt the energy of the Shinjuku streets…

…it's safe to say that Tokyo is like no other city I've ever experienced. 

The city teemed with an almost never ending stream of energy, but every single person is composed, polite, and orderly. There hasn't been a moment where I've felt in danger while walking around the streets of Tokyo.

My first meal in Japan: Barbequed cow parts. Mmmm….

Here John thinks he can easily blend into the crowd as he checks his messages on his uber-cool Japanese flip phone. 

After dinner, we checked out a local electronics store which also has a few floors filled with toys and collectables!

This FD RX-7 plastic model: totally Japanese. I love it. 

And more Japaneseness with an FB RX-7, GC8, AE86, FC RX-7…

… and Toyota Chaser models. I'm actually liking the widebody kit on the FB RX-7 model….

The plastic model section also had normal non-Anime liveried models and had quite a variety to choose from. 

This sweet widebody 240z model…

…and this Celica model stuck out from the rest. Sweet wheel fitment on both models!

I moved on to check out the die cast model section and that section also did not disappoint. 

The Celica section. I love the fourth gen GT-Four. 

These MR-2 222D's were a pretty sweet find. 

After we headed back to the hotel for to turn in for the night, I finally spotted my first modified car: this NIssan Skyline R34 on TE37s. 

The next morning, we woke up early to explore Tokyo a bit more. 

We relied on the super efficient and on-time train system to get about most of Tokyo. 

Our first stop of the day: the uber-nerdy Akihabara district. 

Before we set about aimlessly walking around the area, we had a quick bite to eat, japanese fast food staple: Pork Katsu curry. 

At a video arcade, I couldn't help but notice the brand of one of the video arcade cabinets. Japan has Lindbergh book stores and now arcade cabinets! Cool.

The back of heads is a sight you learn to get used to when you take the train as you hurry around to wait in perfectly ordered lines. 

But after another quick train ride….

…we arrived to the Harajuku fashion district.

A good bit of street speedhunting happened while walking around.

This Ferrari California was one of the first. 

This 802 Customs Honda Odyessy came soon after the Ferrari sighting… 

…then spotted this Dodge Charger. Not a rarity in the States, but in Japan, you're one cool cat driving around in an American car!

Later that evening, we headed to get dinner in the Shibuya business district and spotted this BMW E90 M3. I was quietly wishing it was the Amuse M3 instead!

Now, I must head to bed as my day will once again be starting early. I'll be heading straight to Makuhari to meet Dino at the Tokyo Auto Salon. More behind the scenes Speedhunting soon to come! 

-Linhbergh