This is the 28th Annual YOKOHAMA HOT ROD CUSTOM SHOW 2019 which runs for just one day, yes, just one day which is TODAY, December 1 (Sunday) at the Pacifico Yokohama exhibition center right by the Yokohama water front.
We arrived at the show at an early 8am on a cold 7 degrees Celsius Sunday morning and the crowd was already inside and also lining up outside.
The Japanese custom and tuning fans came in all ages and both sexes and they dress for the event.
Once inside we saw people queuing all around the hall. We were surprised. Yes, there were people queuing outside to buy tickets and there was also a people queuing to get into the hall, but why were there people queuing inside the hall?
Well upon closer inspection we realized the lines were for different counters/booths. There was one long line for Hot Wheels collectables, another long line for Vans limited edition shoes, another long line snaking around two areas was just for the ‘Tokyo Indians MC’ clothing company and there was also a long line of people waiting to buy clothing from the MOONEYES merchandise counter.
It was just unreal to see these long lines of people waiting to buy items and not taking pictures or spending time looking at the beautiful custom and tuned classic machines, two and also four wheels…..some even three wheels.
This is the Japanese consumer market. On closer investigation, we were informed by our hosts that some of the items on sale were very limited run products that would fetch a huge premium with collectors from around the world. Yes, some even have a 900% profit margin despite its already high asking price and some others will be kept by the buyers for a few months as prices rise in the International market and then they will sell them for up to 2,000% profit.
This is a business at a different level and collectors come from all over the world to get what they want, money no issue.
Meanwhile, we loved some of the custom vehicles on display and there were some others that just did not make sense at all. Some were more display vehicles that were not meant to be ridden or driven.
There were also participants from Indonesia and China who brought in some great custom motorcycles with beautiful detailing in both painted art work and also tuned parts.
Organized by MOONEYES Japan, this is Japan’s largest indoor car & motorcycle show. This hot rod and custom bike show attracts attention not only in Japan but around the world. In addition, overseas builders and vehicles produced by these builders come to Japan as guests and the event is packed with fun projects such as swap meat, live bands, and paint contests that you can enjoy all day.
Enjoy the pictures and please share this with as many friends as possible to get the Malaysian custom motorcycle and custom and retro car movement bigger.
