These days decent weather is a luxury in Japan, as such I’ve found myself sneaking out for a quick drive to make the most out of these few hours of clear skies we are lucky to get every now and then.
The rain can be quite unpredictable, making proper drives out of Tokyo a true gamble. After all, who wants to drive all the way to Hakone Turnpike just to find damp roads and zero visibility? So, for the most part, I’ve been staying local, enjoying some of my favorite spots.
Hanegi in Setagaya-ku is one of them; I used to live in this area many years ago and one of my best friends still resides here.
It’s a great place to walk around and enjoy some of the local architecture as well as a bit of car spotting. Not to mention visiting the local bakery more times than I should have.
The neighborhood is also not too far from Nismo Performance Center Tokyo in Sakura-shinmachi. All you need to do is drive down the Kannana-dori and take a right at the first intersection with the Tamagawa-dori.
I recently paid a visit to order some new parts and found out that Yamazaki-san - the tuner advisor who helped me secure lots of the OEM stock for my BNR34 - has moved to a new Nismo dealer closer to his place. So this time the branch chief Nefuji-san helped me out (more on the new parts in a coming post).
Staying local has also allowed me to discover some new areas in the city, like this new gas station on the way to Odaiba: bigger than most, it has a nice dedicated area where you can clean up your car and tidy things up before leaving.
From there you can easily reach the Rainbow Bridge and I’ve made it a habit to cruise around the wharf and the surrounding industrial area after work.
If you have ever driven a loop on the C1 on your way to Tatsumi, chances are that you have passed above this area as well, but it never occurred to me that it would make for a great spot to take photos or enjoy the sunset from the opposite side of Odaiba.
This specific place is located exactly beneath the supporting tower on the Tokyo side and you can really appreciate the sheer size of the structure and intricate architecture of the bridge. Hard to believe it, but it’s all perfectly hearthquake-proof!
This place has quickly become one of my go-to spots for and evening coffee; it has a decadent, noir feel to it that reminds me of Blade Runner or some Luc Besson’s movies.
Definitely stop by if you get a chance.
Until next time.