The Tokyo Auto Salon at Makuhari Messe convention center in Chiba, is not to be confused with the Tokyo Motor Show which happens once every two years.
I wandered the labyrinthine halls of Makuhari Messe in search of the lurid, the exotic, and the fascinating at this annual event for automakers, aftermarket suppliers, and the fanatics who want what they’re offering.
The Tokyo Auto Salon is the Japanese auto industry’s largest opportunity to display its latest go-fast and show-off bits. This show is on every year and showcases race cars and modified vehicles, while the Motor Show is for companies to show all their new street-legal vehicles. Scores of OEMs and aftermarket suppliers — and the legions of fanatics who worship at their altars — show up at Makuhari Messe, in Chiba City at the start of the year, turning the halls into a riot of lurid, compelling, odd, fascinating components, and droves of models at each booth. Like so many sensory experiences in Japan, it’s all rather overwhelming, in the best possible way. It’s a must-see for any car lover.
Since 1983, Japan has blessed the tuning world with the Tokyo Auto Salon. This three-day event takes over the Makuhari Messe convention center and every year manages to fit more cars, exhibitors, and visitors than ever before. Fortunately for you, I was on site for the entire three days, to stagger through the aisles, clocking nearly 10 miles’ worth of steps, and distill it all for you. These were some of the things that really stood out.
Last year’s show packed the 11 halls with 378 exhibitors spanning 4,300 booths showing off nearly 900 cars, which sounds impressive until you realize over 230,000 people attended. What’s even more bonkers, is that Day 1 (Friday) is limited to media in the morning and premium ticket holders from 2:00pm. When we say TAS gets busy, we mean really busy.
