Good amount has been going on in the last month that I’d like to go over but I need to update storage space. But, moved the Z to the norush shop cause Arlynna and I just moved in to an apartment!
Didn’t think it would be a good idea to work on the z in a car port so figured this was the best option!
* * * BIG UPDATE * * *
Getting right back to the z now that we are done vacationing for a bit!
Made no hesitation on ordering parts once I got back hahaha.
First on the list were. Sard Oil Catch can, Sard coolant overflow, and a Billions power steering can.
Really just trying to dazzle up the engine bay as much as I can but I just realized I’m running out of space haha
After ordering these I decided it was time to get the fab work needed out of the way. I emailed Chris at Wisecraft Fabrication and we set up a day to take the Z over.
Before loading it up I needed to clean all the dust off it and take care of a few things.
Shelby giving me a hand.
Arlynna helping me with the wash ❤
Stopped for coffee on the way to drop off the Z.
Within 24 hours he had already gotten the Downpipe and waste gate all done up.
His work is so damn good.
Got so stoked seeing the heat sheild on there and the wastegate mounted where you can clearly see it.
Just days later he called me up and said everything was ready. The excitment was REAL.
Heading home!
Now to show off Chris (wisecraft fabrication)’s work.
Everything was done to such perfection.
The bumper support with the mounting tabs for the intercooler. The 02 bung tucked away. Vband on the throttle body. I couldn’t be happier with the out come. Very VERY happy I took the car to him.
Shelby approved!
I also made another change to the interior for the last time hahah
While in Japan I noticed A LOT of cars that I had idolized had personal steering wheels. I felt it suited the z’s interior so much more than the nardi classic. Thankfully a good friend Scott had the exact personal wheel I was looking for and I had the nardi he was looking for so we made the swap.
Really happy with the choice.
Got in a few more parts.
Blitz filter.
and then….. 
ORC twin disk!
Can not wait for these noises!!
I am now currently working on getting little accessories fitted such as the coolant overflow, oil catch can, and power steering reservoir. I also am sorting out my radiator situation so I’ll have that posted up soon!
Well. The time came and went a lot quicker than I had expected.
To say it was a memorable trip would be an understatment. I had learned a lot. Japan left a BIG impression on me. It was so much more than I could ever imagine. I hope everyone gets to go and have a genuine experience.
Saying see you later to our airbnb.
We made our way to a local diner for some breakfast before heading to the train station to head to the airport.
There was so much to see while on the train that I ended up sticking my gopro to the window and filming about 30ish minutes of the ride. I’ll upload it later and post it.
Picked up some allergy medicine to help me through the plane ride.
We also made our way into a souvenir shop and Arlynna got a little excited about the kit kats……….
Sadly enjoying our last coolish…….
And that’s that.
You will definitely being seeing us again Japan. You treated us such care and hospitality and I can’t thank you enough for that.
I also can’t thank the friends that went out of their way to meet up with us and show us around! Thank You for showing us your beautiful land!!
I still have lots of photos and video clips on my gopro that I will be going through and posting at random so stay tuned for that, future trips, and updates on the z!
This day we had made our way over to Ueno park to see the beautiful flowers and incredible historic monuments they have.
Such a peaceful and quiet place. Which is crazy cause it’s in the middle of the city, but somehow it seems as though all surroundings disappear.
At the other end of the park was the Tokyo National History Museum. We felt it was a must to get more of an experience/open our eyes of this city/country we had all just fallen in love with.
There were no photos allowed in the actual museum sadly. But understandable. Everything was preserved and displayed so beautifully.
Thankfully we did get to take pictures of the lovely gardens in the back!
After being mesmerized by everything in the gardens and museum we wanted to eat.
I wanted to find some good street Yakitori.
Quick maps search and a few blocks later we found ourselves here!
I was a bit worried of the language barrier but the amazing lady working they’re spoke really good english!
This is one of like 4 plates I had….
As we were leaving this fellow passed us with an interesting pet on his shoulders.
Time to walk off the food and enjoy the city.
Some train station vending machine snacks! (the boba milk tea was not good)
Cute little sign saying what will happen if you don’t pay the proper ticket amount or your train pass doesn’t have enough on it to pay. (I’m assuming that cause it happened to me hahaha)
Heading back to the airbnb.
When we got out of the station we saw this little cutie and the owner was super nice and had her pose for us hahaha
Got some rest and then headed out to walk around for a bit and enjoy our last night.
The final walk back to the airbnb. Saw a few interesting cars.
Looking back on all these photos isn’t helping me get over how much I miss and love Japan. But what it is doing is inspiring me to do whatever I can to get back there as well as to improve myself and make more of an effort on whatever I am doing. Not that it should take a trip around the world to do that. It’s just after seeing people going above and beyond for their neighbor or a stranger was something I hadn’t experienced much of back here in California.
That goes for the amount of passion everyone I met had for everything they had or did or do. There was no sense of anyone being conceited. Just joy for all that was around them. I want everyone to experience that so they can take it home and pass it along.
Came across this little crepe stand in the train station and figured why not try it!
We then arrived at this beautiful park in Shibuya. It was crazy to see these super well kept parks/monuments in the middle of large cities.
Spotted a little kitty cat across the way.
Went out and enjoyed the city.
What it took to get the roof top photos.
SNOOPY TOWN!!!!!!
Arlynna bought me some goodies as a birthday gift cause she’s the best ❤
Snacked on some gyoza at a gyoza and beer specific restaurant.
Arlynna and I were still hungry and found out that a Ichiran Ramen we really close by! So we had to go.
It was so damn good!! Easily one of the best ramen I’ve ever had.
Had to walk off he extra noodles that I got.
Best sign ever.
Random car spots of the day.
Just walking around in Japan you see and experience so much. It’s so incredible. I feel in love with everything we saw.
I feel bad for taking so long making these post but thankfully I am getting it done.
This day was spent being tourists.
We took the train to Akihabra which is very well known for anime stuff. Although anime isn’t really my thing we were in Japan and I was down to go anywhere and everywhere.
After walking a bit I looked up and noticed there was another cat cafe!
We couldn’t NOT go in….
We spent a good amount of time in there and then decided to go back out to walk around some more.
Headed to a food court and go this delicious roasted garlic ramen.
Back on the train to go to Tokyo Dome for some gnarly rollercoaster. (I didn’t go on cause I’m weenie hut jr.)
Walking around and we found ourselves in this gorgeous park.
Time for dinner and since it was just .25 of a mile away we had to go.
It was just the same as back home! We watched George and Jon sweat it out as they suffered through spicy level 5 as we enjoyed our spicy level 2 hahaha
Walking down the street enjoying the scenery.
Came across this cool looking JZX. On our walk.
Last thing we saw before getting back to our airbnb was this cool Lotus.
Thanks you stopping by and taking a look!
Was so excited for today cause Arlynna and I were going to make the trip out to Chiba for Top Secret!
First we needed some breakfast.
We had passed a coffee place called “Oslo Coffee” a few times heading to the train station so we figured why not try it. Turns out it was really good!
We ended up getting their ice’d coffee everyday after from the to go window.
Then started our hour train ride to Chiba!
We thought we had the bus’s figured but we were very wrong hahah We got on what was labeled the “02” bus, but it was taking in the opposite direction of what our maps said. In a bit of panic we got off. Right when we got off the very nice R34 pictured below drove by. After dabbling with different buses we figured out we were on the “east” station side and we needed to be on the “west” side.
Outside of the West Side station was this very clean R32 sedan.
While on the bus I spotted some really cool stuff but didn’t pull my phone out in time. I did thankfully get a picture of this guy.
We got off the bus and saw a 7/11 so I thought it was an appropriate time for some chicken!
Some coolish to wash it down!
Outside of 7/11 was this nice SW20. The owner was very kind and let me take some pictures of it.
WE FINALLY MADE IT.
The cars/shells parked outside.
Walked back to the store front…. this is where I went a little wild…..
Waiting at the bus station.
Things to add to my collection.
Cool view from one of the connecting train stations.
The Shibuya Crossing!!
We of course had to go and pay our respects to all of the Good Boys and Girls out there at the Hachiko Statue.
Spotted this pretty neat Subaru.
Cool streets we had walked through.
That wraps up our Saturday in Japan! Going through more of the pictures and getting everything organized for the next posts.
Thanks for looking!
Friday rolled around and it was the day we planned to head to Yokohama.
Started off with my new traditional breakfast.
On the way to the station two things caught my eye.
This Van on watts and nascar tires.
And this taxi on CR Kai’s hahaha
On the train in route to Yokohama!
We arrived to a little bit of disappointment. Nismo Headquarters and the Engine Museum were closed for the week. But the security guards were super nice and gave us some brochures and Nissan Leaf toy cars.
Some cool street photos from the train station. I have lots of more of these in the upcoming posts.
While walking between Museums we stopped at a gas station to use the restroom and came across this little beauty.
Saw this little gem too!
After dealing with the harsh reality of not being able to see the Nismo stuff Sekinei came and picked us up so we could go to the ramen museum!
The ramen was SOOOO GOOOOOODDDDDD. I proudly had two bowls…… in American fashion.
Also I funny little story. I had went to the restroom and came back to find Arlynna and Ellie crying from laughing so hard. After gaining composure Arlynna explained to me that this group of what looked to be middle school girls very hesitantly came up to them asking for a photo. Arlynna was under the impression she was asking her to take THEIR photo but what the girl really wanted was a photo with THEM hahahahahahah I guess they don’t see hispanic people very often hahahah it was so great.
Now time for some car stuff.
Sekinei took us over Revolfe.
I was blown away. I stood there in aw of what I was seeing. Then Sekinei went and brought out Mizota. For those who don’t know. He is the owner of the shop and the very incredible Silver Mid Night z32 that I was so fortunate enough to see in person.
Outside were a few incredible cars.
Like this Tamon Design Supra, Mizota’s daily, and a C west Altezza.
Then we walked in to the shop to see this guy.
Little did I know Mizota had the Z tucked under a tarp in the front of the shop. I was looking at pictures and stickers on the wall until Sekinei came and told me to come outside. I nearly fainted from excitement.
He seemed so eager to show his z and every thing he had going on in his shop. It was so inspiring as well as humbling to see. Not really the enthusiasm you get here in California.
The details on this car were outstanding. I was speechless.
He took us in to the work shop and showed us the project cars.
A few little things I got to buy.
This was such an incredible and unreal experience. I can’t thank Sekinei and Mizota enough for this.
Only a few shops was ADVANCE!
The cars parked out side were out of control.
Under the white R34 was something that caught me so off guard. It’s a car that was a huge inspiration to some things I did to the Z. Seeing it and knowing it still exists made me so happy. As you can tell from the pictures Sekinei took of me hahah
Stopping at these two shops had me speechless. I couldn’t believe what I got to see and how welcoming the shop owners were. I am so damn lucky.
From here we went to a mall for a little bit to see if there was anything we’d like. In which we stumbled across a Disney store and found some cute little things Arlynna and I wanted.
We also found out that A LOT of places like to give bags as souvenirs. ESPECIALLY disney stores haha I have round 15-20 bags from Disneyland and the Disney store from the mall. The car shops also gave me one or two extras to take home which was really cool!
We made our way over to MOONEYES.
Couldn’t leave with out some stuff.
Arlynna and I got matching wind breakers hahahah
Also got stickers and shirts!
It was so cool to get to see and buy some stuff from them. I got a laugh seeing Sekinei excited over some US products like Lucas Oil Stabilizer that they had.
Time to visit the famous Daikoku Futo!
I want to apologize in advance for the horrible quality of these pictures. I was blindly taking them with my gopro and regret it. The lighting plus walking and shooting was not a good combo. I in no way blame the gopro cause before and after this event it took amazing pictures. But here you go!
Z Friends!!
I finally got to meet Rod of AutonGraphic and Brian of Panda Pirates!
Shingos amazing S13 that he brought out before his drive to the SR all star meet.
This car in person is pretty much perfection. SO much work and detail.
Harada jumped out and surprised me as I was walking away from the vending machines hahaha it was a very pleasant way to finally meet him.
Mizota showed up too! I was so happy to see that this car still gets driven regularly.
And that I got to take more pictures of it.
After laughing, talking, and walking around for a few hours it was time to call it a night. Sekinei as kind as he is drove us back home cause the trains were no longer running at the time.
Thanks to his comfy daily..
I can not thank Sekinei enough. He did so much for us and was such a great host. He’s so proud of his city and it showed. It was beautiful and I can’t wait to visit it again. Definitely for more than a day though.
Thank You Sekinei!! This day was so overwhelming is a very good way.
Time for Tokyo Disney!!!
Got ready and hyped to start the day.
Making the walk down to 7/11 before getting on the train.
When/if you come to Japan. Stop at 7/11 and get these pancakes. They are so freaking good!!!!!!
TOKYO DISNEY!!!!
We met up with Park and Shota right outside at the train station. The train station is literally right in front. Like if you are getting off there you are going specifically for Disney.
We came as they were celebrating their 35th anniversary.
The Castle looks like the actual castle used in the beginning of the Disney movies.
Their Main Street and Castle were in freakin sane. Main Street branched off to two different streets. One led to New Orleans and one to Tomorrow Land.
Our first order of business was Space Mount and it was only a 20 minute wait!! Granted we got there right at opening.
It’s really cool. The park “officially” opens at 9 am but they let people in before hand and then open all the lands at 9.
Walked over to Toon Town. It’s crazy how similar things are but with their own personal touches. It’s so cool to see.
We stopped at a cart and got Pizza “spring rolls” hahaha they were pretty good!
Went in to a store and found some cute things for Arlynna.
We all started to get hungry and started to head to The Hungry Bear. I was expecting American style food but was surprised with Curry!
Mark Twain and the Train! Sadly their train doesn’t go around the whole park.
Purple Churrors and amazing waffles in New Orleans!!
After eating a bunch and going on almost everything I wanted to do some shopping. Got this cute Marie mask for Arlynna and a bunch of 35th anniversary stuff to take back.
Made our way out of the park to the station.
Once we got off the train I realized I took us a little to far so we had to walk a few blocks but it was an enjoyable walk. LOTS of vending machines haha
Ramen to end the night.
As you can tell I was very sleepy. All the ramen we’ve had has been so damn good. No bad food at all actually.
Sadly I’m now 2 days behind on posting. I’m gonna try and get them up soon!
Thanks for looking again!
We just wrapped up our first full day in Japan and as I was expecting I am speechless. But let me take a step back and post real quick about the day we flew out.
We flew out of LAX via ANA. We got this pretty neat Star Wars themed plane.
The horrible uber ride to the airport.
Patiently waiting.
On the plane!
Although the plane ride was insanely long it came with great food.
Some snacks.
Dinner.
Dessert
Then “breakfast”
Finally arrived!
After getting the rental and taking us around the airport 2 or 3 times cause I had no idea what I was doing we made it in to town.
First car spotting.
Made it to the airbnb and checked out the toilets haha
Went roaming about the area and got some incredible ramen!
Then had to make a stop by 7 eleven for Nathans famous “coolish”. They are actually really good!
That was the end of our night. Went back to the airbnb and fell asleep after being up for way too many hours.
We woke up really early the next time and decided on going out in the pouring rain to get some breakfast.
We ended up at “Jonathans Cafe” and it was delicious. I got this amazing french toast.
Roaming around in the rain.
Sekinei showed up and it was time for…………..
THE SNOOPY MUSEUM!!!
I was losing my freaking mind. It was so cool!!
The restroom was pretty freakin adorable too.
Made our way back outside. Where we continued to find more cute little things.
My winnings to take home and add to my collection.
From here we walked back to the airbnb where Sekinei helped us with calling the car rental place asking if we could return it cause we had realized it is way too expensive to have a car in the area.
This was parked right next to our rental.
Returned the rental and headed out for lunch.
Spotted this neat thing on the way.
Delicious curry for lunch.
Cat Cafe in Harajuku!!
Now to the train station where we were assisted by this insanely nice lady cause we were so lost on what to do. I was dumbfounded by how nice she was. She walked us two blocks to the proper station we were suppose to be at and showed us how to get our tickets and what not. It was unbelievable. Japan has restored my hope in humanity.
Rested for a little bit and walked around the area for something to eat.
We settle for some Mcdonalds to take back to the airbnb. It’s pretty good compared to American Mcdonalds!
That was our first day and a half.
We had so much damn fun. Now we are getting ready to head to the train station to make our way to Tokyo Disney with Park. Thanks for stopping by and make sure to come back for more of the trip!
Franklin N' Friends 