Welcome to 2025! As always, January kicks off the Speedhunting year with a strong focus on Japanese car culture, especially with the Tokyo Auto Salon just days away. And we’re going big this year.
But before we get stuck into Japan’s largest aftermarket tuning show and all the car gatherings surrounding it, let’s start with a tradition that’s been firmly cemented over the last decade: the unofficial New Year Meet at Daikoku Parking Area.
While enthusiasts flock to Yokohama’s most iconic car meet-up spot from the first day of the year, January 3 usually has the biggest turnout. If you’re planning to attend, getting to Daikoku early is a must.
I rolled in before 8:00am, and the place was already packed.
The variety was simply outrageous – a perfect example of what makes Japan’s car culture so unique. Take the picture above, for instance: a 1960s Prince Skyline parked beside an ‘80s Ford van, with a Lancia Delta Integrale completing the trio. That’s something you’ll only see in Japan.
You’ll always guaranteed a great mix of vehicles at Daikoku PA, but extra special stuff shows up for the New Year Meet, like the white McLaren P1 parked just behind a Ferrari 575 Superamerica.
We saw this Strosek 964 a few years back but it’s always a pleasure to see these rare examples of automotive awesomeness.
I won’t interrupt the flow of the images here; they really speak for themselves.
Moments like these really drive home the importance of preserving gathering spots like Daikoku.
Where else can you witness such an organic celebration of pure automotive passion?
It’s funny I mention this, because just as I was soaking everything in, the police showed up, blaring through the PA system, telling everyone it was time to leave.
I’m not sure what triggered this early-morning clear out — maybe the truck drivers weren’t too thrilled about their parking spots being taken — but it surprised a lot of people.
I heard plenty of comments like, “What, already?” and “Seriously, today?”
Despite the announcements, most people weren’t in any rush to pack up and go.
There were still about a hundred cars I hadn’t seen yet, and a few latecomers managed to sneak in before the police blocked off Daikoku PA’s spiralling entry ramp from the highway above.
I made my way up to the top of the parking area — the usual trouble zone — and sure enough, the truck spaces were fully taken over.
The Lamborghini crew, who had been incessantly revving their engines for a good 10 minutes, had parked in dramatic style. Among them was even a Reventón – still completely stock, and by far the quietest of the bunch.
With the constant barrage of police announcements, screaming engines, and exhaust bangs, the whole scene felt chaotic, but in the best possible way. It made for an unforgettable start to the year.
By this point, the access roads in and out of Daikoku were gridlocked. Cars leaving were forced to join an impromptu roll-out parade in which many owners did launches as they exited.
The hold-up was actually a blessing in disguise – it gave me more time to discover cars I’d missed, like this stunning De Tomaso Pantera.
And even a Daihatsu Charade De Tomaso (Bianca variant). How cool is that?
By 10:00am, the place was almost empty – a new record for the Daikoku PA New Year Meet!
A police officer approached and told me to stop taking photos and leave, but as I was doing so, I spotted one last car I couldn’t resist grabbing a couple of shots of.
I mean, how often do you see a genuine Lancia 037 Stradale – in Martini Racing livery no less? Nuts!
The cherry on top? On the way home, I got to have a little fun playing with it on the highway from behind the wheel of my newly-acquired BMW M4 Cabrio. Weighing in at just over a ton, the Lancia still held its own when the Abarth supercharger hit full boost.
And that’s a wrap on my first motoring adventure of 2025! I can only hope the rest of the year is as good as this albeit brief morning at Daikoku Parking Area was.
Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: dino_dalle_carbonare
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