Spirit Garage: Gunma-ken

[roastbeef]

I am currently typing this message from the top level of HMV in shibuya.

Staying here for around three weeks, around sapporo, yamagata, osaka and tokyo.

A kind friend has lent me the use of her apartment and ladies bicycle in shibuya this week so I am trying to do as much as possible whilst i have these luxuries.

One of the main reasons I came to japan was to visit a specialist garage for the s30 fairlady z. They were featured on a best motoring volume.

One of the most famous of these garages is Spirit Garage in Gunma-ken.

do any of you knowledgeable folk know what the best way to get to Gunma-ken via JR lines would be?

Their address is in japanese on their website www.spiritgarage.com, and i have it printed out in a magazine, so hopefully a taxi service will be able to take me there once i get close enough.

Apart from that, are there any historic car racing association events happening in the next month or so?

Anyone actually based near shibuya?

cheers,

[Evo_Lee]

Fark Gumma-ken...shinkansen is your friend mate. Map doesn't seems to show any train stations closeby too.

Depending on which part of Gumnma-ken it's located, some local trains only come around every 2 hours...I shit you not. So expect around 10hours of travel time one way.

I'll see if I can help you out with directions.

[roastbeef]

10 hour round trip? LOL

if it is any help, would it be closer to travel from either osaka, yamagata or sapporo?

I may have use of a car in yamagata- but from all accounts that is even further away from everything..

thanks evo_lee.

Anyone know any other places for 240z, kpgc10 skyline stuff around tokyo?

Fark Gumma-ken...shinkansen is your friend mate. Map doesn't seems to show any train stations closeby too.

Depending on which part of Gumnma-ken it's located, some local trains only come around every 2 hours...I shit you not.  So expect around 10hours of travel time one way.

I'll see if I can help you out with directions.

[Evo_Lee]

I was doing a quick search for the best route late yesterday then gave up because it was so confusing. Else you could do what my mate did and fly to Aimori and take the train back down which is a little faster.

Best way is to email them and ask them the best route to get there.

If you want to find 240Z tuning/parts shop, go to your local bookshop and browse through any issue of Nostalgic Hero...love that magazine

If you coming down Osaka way and need any help give me a yell.

[DaiOni]

Gumna is above saitama which is above tokyo - in terms of distance, it really isn't THAT far away from tokyo (I'm thinking a shink line would get you there in an hour or less - the express only takes 1.5hrs to get to the next prefecture (where I live). The joetsu shinkansen line (running between niigata - tokyo) runs through gunma (90% sure it does!) - that would be one option (make sure that it stops near where you want to go, and it's not a super express). Another option would be to find the cheaper local line (which will be very slow). My advice is to go to a major station and enquire in the JR office (there should be english speakers in there).

kousoku basu (highway/high speed bus) may be another option.

Lastly, if possible, you could hire a car and drive there (not sure of the toll damage that might be inflicted, though).

good luck.

[roastbeef]

Well after much to-ing and fro-ing and asking various people, i think i have figured out a relatively efficient method of getting there.

There is a shinkansen line which stops in Gunma-ken, however it is getting to the various workshops that is the hard part.

Anyhow, i'll probably attempt the trip later on in the month.

Currently in Yamagata staying with a whole bunch of NOVA, JET teachers etc...

Beautiful place, went mountain biking this morning and was rewarded with some internal organ damage.

Bars everywhere, and I havent checked it out yet, but i am positive there should be some car action around here as well. A lot of modified cars roaring past my window at night.

*not to mention the blokes in hydraulic cadillacs listening to NWA ...

[DaiOni]

welcome to the neighbourhood. you aren't far away from me