This is the 28th annual Yokohama hot rod custom show 2019 which ran for just one day on December 1 at the Pacifico Yokohama exhibition centre by the Yokohama water front.
Even if you arrive as early as 8am on a cold 7ºC Sunday morning, you will find that the crowd is already inside and many are still lining up outside.
Japanese custom and tuning fans come in both sexes and in all ages and they dress up for the event.
Once inside you will be surprised to see people queuing all around the hall. There are people queuing outside to buy tickets and there are also people queuing to get into the hall, but why are there people queuing inside the hall?
Upon closer inspection you realise that the lines are for different counters and booths.
There is a long line for the Hot Wheels collectables and another long line for Vans limited edition shoes.
Yet another long line snaking around two areas is for the ‘Tokyo Indians’ clothing company and there is a long line of people waiting to buy clothing from the MOONEYES merchandise counter.
It is simply unreal to see these long queues of people waiting to buy items but not taking any pictures.
Neither do they spend any time looking at the beautiful custom and tuned classic machines, two and four wheeled beauties with some unique three wheelers thrown in.
This is the Japanese consumer market. Some of the items on sale are very limited run products that will fetch a huge premium from collectors around the world.
Some items can even fetch a 900% profit margin despite the already high selling price.
The buyers will keep some other items for a few months until prices rise in the international market, upon which they will sell for up to a 2,000% profit.
This is business at a different level where avid collectors come from all over the world to get what they want, money not being an issue.
Meanwhile, you will love some of the custom vehicles on display. There will be some that just don’t make any sense at all.
Obviously some are meant more as display vehicles and are not meant to be ridden or driven.
Of particular interest are the participants from Indonesia and China who bring in some great custom motorcycles with beautiful detailing in both painted art work and tuned parts.
This is Japan’s largest indoor car & motorcycle show, organized by MOONEYES Japan. The hot rod and custom bike show attracts attention not only in Japan but around the world.
In addition, overseas builders and their vehicles are invited to Japan as guests and the event is packed with fun projects such as swap meet, live bands, and paint contests that you can enjoy all day.
Hopefully the Malaysian custom motorcycle and custom and retro car movement grows bigger in line with the global trend.
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