Checking in from Tokyo...
Whats up fam,
My name is Branden and I work over here in Japan. Ive been into the VIP scene for over ten years now, which is how long I have been living over here. I currently have a 2003 Toyota Aristo (black). My wife has a 2008 Honda Accord (black). We are saving up our money (which will take a while) to purchase a Lexus 460 or a 2008 Toyota Crown Athlete. Its a dream but not unreachable. I know alot of other Americans here in Japan that are into the VIP scene. But I have more Japanese friends that are as well (go figure).
Anyways, this is a great website and I will be around more often checking out the threads.
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Whats up fam,
My name is Branden and I work over here in Japan. Ive been into the VIP scene for over ten years now, which is how long I have been living over here. I currently have a 2003 Toyota Aristo (black). My wife has a 2008 Honda Accord (black). We are saving up our money (which will take a while) to purchase a Lexus 460 or a 2008 Toyota Crown Athlete. Its a dream but not unreachable. I know alot of other Americans here in Japan that are into the VIP scene. But I have more Japanese friends that are as well (go figure).
Anyways, this is a great website and I will be around more often checking out the threads.
SWEET! Nice to have some local Japanese folks join the forum.
WELCOME! :biggthumpup:
And let me be the first to say that I am jealous! =)
oh yea......we need pics pleaz!
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SWEET! Nice to have some local Japanese folks join the forum.
WELCOME! :biggthumpup:
And let me be the first to say that I am jealous! =)
oh yea......we need pics pleaz!
Where in Tokyo do you live? I lived there before myself (worked at Atsugi, but lived in Sagamihara Prefecture). There's several members on here still residing in Japan (and many of us who still visit frequently), and some of those are Kanto as well.
What's your involvement in vip consisted of over the years? Some of us have witnessed the changes and evolution of the style, but others are still stuck in the past it seems. Just want to get an idea on where you stand and to see what your influences have been...welcome.
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Where in Tokyo do you live? I lived there before myself (worked at Atsugi, but lived in Sagamihara Prefecture). There's several members on here still residing in Japan (and many of us who still visit frequently), and some of those are Kanto as well.
What's your involvement in vip consisted of over the years? Some of us have witnessed the changes and evolution of the style, but others are still stuck in the past it seems. Just want to get an idea on where you stand and to see what your influences have been...welcome.
Wow, quick replies going on! Thats whats up. I used to live at Sagamiharra Housing Area for over 10 years because my father was working at Camp Zama. Currently, I live in Tachikawa (outside of Yokota) because my wife works here in this area but I work near Shinjuku.
Im not sure exactly what you mean by influences but Ill try my best.
As far as Americans go here, I believe that there are different factors as to why Americans stationed here (Civilians and Military) can't keep up with the VIP scene off base. (And I dont mean this in a bad way.) Its due to money and sensability. But we must also factor that Japan, like any other country that military people can get stationed, is not their home country. Americans come and go and most of the time so they just need a cheap ass car to get around in for the 2 or 3 year tours they are obligated to fulfill. Alot of Americans I know have a Lexus or 350z back in the states and blah blah...but are driving around here in a 91' Toyota Camry or something. What I have noticed is that Americans here that really are into the VIP scene are usually the ones that have so much interest in Japan (Japanese girlfriend, Japanese wife, Japanese home, Extension of Orders, Reenlistment, Japanese Residency, VISAs) and tend to want to jump into the VIP scene by actually running with the Japanese crowds off base (which is completely fine). Alot of this has already been proven with the race/drift/drag scene. Alot of GT-Rs and silvias are driven by Americans who stay longer here.
Americans here in Japan that are into the VIP scene, in my opinion, are always going to be stuck on this phase which is; buy car, big rims, body kit, killer stereo system, neon lights. Its always going to be like that because of financial management, little knowledge of the VIP scene, inconsistent effort to maintain a VIP status car or it can be simple as just not as interested into the way the Japanese do things. I dont talk crap about other people and their cars because its childish. If their car satifies them, thats all personal.
What I do is READ and ASK QUESTIONS. Im always at the local book stores off base during my off time (sometimes at work!) with my son, looking at the VIP car magazines on the shelf and comparing car parts. There are also specialty magazines avaible by car type, they just cost more. One of them is a VIP Toyota Crown magazine which is something I drool over each time I see. Another is a VIP Lexus 460 mag. There's a luxury car shop far from where I live and I go there every once in a while to shoot the s... with the mechanics and the manager there. They fit luxury rims specifically for BMWs, Benz and Jaguars. These guys are always trying to give me tips, hints, even information on new items that have came on the market that I should look into. Its strictly VIP car talk for a couple of hours. One thing I picked up on (this is going to sound wild) but each season, Ill change the percentage of my tint and even the color. During the summer months, Ill put on a light green tint (car is black) or 5% tint. Fall and winter, Ill switch it to maybe 35% black tint. I have two sets of aero kits, another set of rims in case the weather is ever bad and I dont want any damage to the car. If the wind is wrong, I wont even drive the car because I don't want rocks and dirt all up in the insides. Its time consuming but I love it.
There is one other American guy I know that has a sick Aristo (same body style as mine) that looks like it could be on a VIP car magazine...I'm going to have to take a picture of it sometime and post it.
The VIP scene in Japan is hot and always will be. Even some of the yakuza cars I have seen look like the prime minister or the emperor would be in the back seat of them. Im not going to list the things I like to do to keep up in the VIP scene here (I'll wait until I see a thread about something I can contribute to).
A couple years back, I made up some list and I called it "Hidden Rules of the VIP" and some of them were kind of funny and stupid. It was just a collection of things I noticed when I see people and their VIP cars. Ill look for it as well.
There is a VIP crew I hang out with once a month. What we do is get together and drive around Tokyo metro, rest stops, take pictures, videos, and then get drunk at a izakaya. Its one thing to see a couple of FD Rx-7s as a large pack rolling around town, buts its another experience to see over 20 VIP cars rolling around together. When I drive, I get this supreme attitude like Im the best because I am rolling in one of the best rides that I have transformed into a street luxury. Im sure other people here feel the same. haha
Anyways, Im typing way too much. If anyone else has any inquiries, Im glad to share with you my knowledge here. Thank you for the welcomes as well.
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Wow, quick replies going on! Thats whats up. I used to live at Sagamiharra Housing Area for over 10 years because my father was working at Camp Zama. Currently, I live in Tachikawa (outside of Yokota) because my wife works here in this area but I work near Shinjuku.
Im not sure exactly what you mean by influences but Ill try my best.
As far as Americans go here, I believe that there are different factors as to why Americans stationed here (Civilians and Military) can't keep up with the VIP scene off base. (And I dont mean this in a bad way.) Its due to money and sensability. But we must also factor that Japan, like any other country that military people can get stationed, is not their home country. Americans come and go and most of the time so they just need a cheap ass car to get around in for the 2 or 3 year tours they are obligated to fulfill. Alot of Americans I know have a Lexus or 350z back in the states and blah blah...but are driving around here in a 91' Toyota Camry or something. What I have noticed is that Americans here that really are into the VIP scene are usually the ones that have so much interest in Japan (Japanese girlfriend, Japanese wife, Japanese home, Extension of Orders, Reenlistment, Japanese Residency, VISAs) and tend to want to jump into the VIP scene by actually running with the Japanese crowds off base (which is completely fine). Alot of this has already been proven with the race/drift/drag scene. Alot of GT-Rs and silvias are driven by Americans who stay longer here.
Americans here in Japan that are into the VIP scene, in my opinion, are always going to be stuck on this phase which is; buy car, big rims, body kit, killer stereo system, neon lights. Its always going to be like that because of financial management, little knowledge of the VIP scene, inconsistent effort to maintain a VIP status car or it can be simple as just not as interested into the way the Japanese do things. I dont talk crap about other people and their cars because its childish. If their car satifies them, thats all personal.
What I do is READ and ASK QUESTIONS. Im always at the local book stores off base during my off time (sometimes at work!) with my son, looking at the VIP car magazines on the shelf and comparing car parts. There are also specialty magazines avaible by car type, they just cost more. One of them is a VIP Toyota Crown magazine which is something I drool over each time I see. Another is a VIP Lexus 460 mag. There's a luxury car shop far from where I live and I go there every once in a while to shoot the s... with the mechanics and the manager there. They fit luxury rims specifically for BMWs, Benz and Jaguars. These guys are always trying to give me tips, hints, even information on new items that have came on the market that I should look into. Its strictly VIP car talk for a couple of hours. One thing I picked up on (this is going to sound wild) but each season, Ill change the percentage of my tint and even the color. During the summer months, Ill put on a light green tint (car is black) or 5% tint. Fall and winter, Ill switch it to maybe 35% black tint. I have two sets of aero kits, another set of rims in case the weather is ever bad and I dont want any damage to the car. If the wind is wrong, I wont even drive the car because I don't want rocks and dirt all up in the insides. Its time consuming but I love it.
There is one other American guy I know that has a sick Aristo (same body style as mine) that looks like it could be on a VIP car magazine...I'm going to have to take a picture of it sometime and post it.
The VIP scene in Japan is hot and always will be. Even some of the yakuza cars I have seen look like the prime minister or the emperor would be in the back seat of them. Im not going to list the things I like to do to keep up in the VIP scene here (I'll wait until I see a thread about something I can contribute to).
A couple years back, I made up some list and I called it "Hidden Rules of the VIP" and some of them were kind of funny and stupid. It was just a collection of things I noticed when I see people and their VIP cars. Ill look for it as well.
There is a VIP crew I hang out with once a month. What we do is get together and drive around Tokyo metro, rest stops, take pictures, videos, and then get drunk at a izakaya. Its one thing to see a couple of FD Rx-7s as a large pack rolling around town, buts its another experience to see over 20 VIP cars rolling around together. When I drive, I get this supreme attitude like Im the best because I am rolling in one of the best rides that I have transformed into a street luxury. Im sure other people here feel the same. haha
Anyways, Im typing way too much. If anyone else has any inquiries, Im glad to share with you my knowledge here. Thank you for the welcomes as well.
dj.tokyomc;209306 wrote:
buts its another experience to see over 20 VIP cars rolling around together.
I demand pictures & videos :thelaw:
Welcome, i actually read everything & we hope to see your car soon.
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[quote=dj.tokyomc;209306]
buts its another experience to see over 20 VIP cars rolling around together.
[/quote]
I demand pictures & videos :thelaw:
Welcome, i actually read everything & we hope to see your car soon.
Sorry, long post...
BUT, if you want ot hang out, let me kno!
I'm half...so Japanese ナンパis easy. Lets get some drinks!
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Sorry, long post...
BUT, if you want ot hang out, let me kno!
I'm half...so Japanese ナンパis easy. Lets get some drinks!
Cool Branden, sounds like you'll fit in just fine. You seem to have the right attitude. Post some pics when you get the time.
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Cool Branden, sounds like you'll fit in just fine. You seem to have the right attitude. Post some pics when you get the time.
Welcome to the site. :biggthumpup:
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Welcome to the site. :biggthumpup:
dj.tokyomc;209306 wrote:Wow, quick replies going on! Thats whats up. I used to live at Sagamiharra Housing Area for over 10 years because my father was working at Camp Zama. Currently, I live in Tachikawa (outside of Yokota) because my wife works here in this area but I work near Shinjuku.
Osu Genki? i lived in japan for a long time as well... Lived in yokosuka and went to kinnick high school... I used to visit sagamihara/zama/atsugi back in the day... we probably know the same people... anyways... welcome to vsc.
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[QUOTE=dj.tokyomc;209306]Wow, quick replies going on! Thats whats up. I used to live at Sagamiharra Housing Area for over 10 years because my father was working at Camp Zama. Currently, I live in Tachikawa (outside of Yokota) because my wife works here in this area but I work near Shinjuku.
[/QUOTE]
Osu Genki? i lived in japan for a long time as well... Lived in yokosuka and went to kinnick high school... I used to visit sagamihara/zama/atsugi back in the day... we probably know the same people... anyways... welcome to vsc.
Welcome to VSC.
If you have other friends interested in VIP and the US VIP scene, have them register and come check us out.
View original BBCode
Welcome to VSC.
If you have other friends interested in VIP and the US VIP scene, have them register and come check us out.
welcome to the site.....got any export friends?
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welcome to the site.....got any export friends?
