Claire-Kaoru Sakai

Tokyo

Writer and Photographer at Hotcars

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Articles

Daikoku Parking Area: Our Guide And Best Tips

2 months ago | hotcars.com | Claire-Kaoru Sakai

If you are planning a trip to Japan, you’ve likely been looking for things to do to immerse yourself into the local JDM culture. And as an automotive enthusiast, one place probably made it to the top of your bucket list: the Daikoku Parking Area.
Liberty Walk’s Miura And R32 Steal The Spotlight With A Star Turn From Lando Norris

Jan 12, 2025 | hotcars.com | Claire-Kaoru Sakai

After chopping up a Ferrari F40 in 2023 and a Lamborghini Countach in 2024, Liberty Walk striked again for the Tokyo Auto Salon 2025, this time with an equally, or perhaps even rarer classic, the Lamborghini Miura. Despite its controversial creations, Liberty Walk has grown to become the biggest tuner at the Tokyo Auto Salon. In fact, Liberty Walk became such a major household name that it is the one of the only tuners given a “press conference” time slot.
The Wildest And Coolest Cars From Tokyo Auto Salon 2025

Jan 10, 2025 | hotcars.com | Claire-Kaoru Sakai

Welcome to the Tokyo Auto Salon 2025, Japan’s biggest annual JDM car show where all manufacturers and tuners gather every year in January to showcase some of their wildest creations. While the Tokyo Auto Salon is usually a place for local tuners to shine by showing their latest custom cars and car parts, it is also a place for manufacturers to push their performance cars, as well as their very own tuning brands.
Nissan Reinvents The R32 GT-R As A 430HP Electric Marvel At Tokyo

Jan 10, 2025 | hotcars.com | Claire-Kaoru Sakai

Over the past few years, Nissan has been electrifying their lineup one car at a time. After the Leaf sedan, the Sakura kei car and the Ariya and Ariya Nismo SUVs, Nissan took a slightly more eccentric route to electrification this time. Meet the Nissan R32EV, the iconic R32 Skyline GT-R that has been stripped out of its engine to welcome an electric motor in its engine bay instead.
2024 Nissan Ariya Nismo Review: A Feel For What A Future Electric GT-R Could Be Like

Nov 9, 2024 | hotcars.com | Claire-Kaoru Sakai

Within the Nissan family, plenty of models have been given a Nismo counterpart. Aside from the more popular GT-R Nismo and the Z Nismo, Nissan also offers the Note Nismo, the Leaf Nismo and the Skyline Nismo. If you haven’t heard about the last three models, that’s because these are only available in the Japanese market.
Why Wangan Base Yokohama Is The New Heart Of Japan's JDM Scene

Nov 4, 2024 | hotcars.com | Claire-Kaoru Sakai

As a Japanese car enthusiast living in Tokyo, I have often been asked about recommendations on where to go to experience Japan’s unique JDM culture. There are, of course, quite a few popular, easily accessible locations around Tokyo, such as the Nissan Headquarters in Yokohama or Fuji Speedway’s Motorsports Museum, where you’ll get the chance to see iconic and rare race cars, as well as some of the latest sports cars.
The Aston Martin Valiant Is Fernando Alonso’s Personal Race-Bred Masterpiece

Sep 10, 2024 | hotcars.com | Claire-Kaoru Sakai

By this time of the year, I would usually get ready to watch the Japanese Formula 1 Grand Prix held at the iconic Suzuka Circuit. With a shuffle in the 2024 calendar, September feels a little empty here in Tokyo. But coincidence or not, Aston Martin fulfilled this gap by bringing in the ultimate car for an exciting start to the Fall season: the Aston Martin Valiant.
The 2024 Nissan Sakura Is The Kei Car EV That Could Should Global

Aug 31, 2024 | hotcars.com | Claire-Kaoru Sakai

If you aren’t familiar with the adorable, all-electric Nissan Sakura, that’s probably because you've never seen it driving in your city. The Sakura is Nissan’ first EV falling into the “kei car” category, and its kei car status means the tiny EV is only sold here in Japan. For some context, a kei car is a lightweight vehicle with size, engine and power output restrictions.
The Ultimate Guide To Japan’s Amazing Truck Decoration Culture

Jul 23, 2024 | hotcars.com | Claire-Kaoru Sakai

Functionality meets art in Japan's unique truck decoration culture, rooted in truck owners' efforts to protect their vehicles from salt damage. Dekotora trend gained momentum from popular culture references, like the "Truck Yaro" movie series and "Camion" magazine's launch in 1984. Decline of dekotora culture due to regulations and industry shifts poses a threat to this mesmerizing and fragile art form in Japan.
Lamborghini Diablo Eccentrica: A New Lamborghini Has Landed In Japan

Apr 24, 2024 | hotcars.com | Claire-Kaoru Sakai

Japan's automotive culture has a strong fascination with Lamborghini cars, seen in wild bodykits and record-breaking gatherings. The Eccentrica Diablo restomod bridges the performance gap between early 90s and 00s Diablo models, offering a modern twist. The Eccentrica's retro-futuristic design and improved performance make it a unique driving machine, appealing to Lamborghini enthusiasts. Italy may be the birthplace of Lamborghini, but Japan surely stands as its adoptive country.