Author Archives: Dan Hsu
Turns out the Honda Motocompo fits perfectly into the trunk of an NSX
Everyone knows that the Honda Motocompo was designed to stow neatly in the back of the Honda City. As it happens, it also fits so perfectly into the trunk of an NSX that it almost seems intentional, despite the supercar … Continue reading
This is exactly what a Honda Super Cub distilled into a barstool would look like
What if you wanted to a Honda Super Cub but didn’t need it to actually go anywhere? Strip away all the motorcycle-y things about it and the Super Cub Chair Classic is what you’d get. Despite the name it’s more … Continue reading
Epic motorcycle racing manga ‘Futari Daka’ re-released for 40th anniversary
Kaoru Shintani’s seminal motorcycle racing manga Futari Daka (Twin Hawks) is being re-released in Japan. Like how Initial D author Shuichi Shigeno’s masterpiece Bari Bari Densetsu depicted street bike racing, Futari Daka brought professional motorcycle endurance racing to the world … Continue reading
Posted in manga
Tagged anime, Futari Daka, honda, Kaoru Shintani, kawasaki, manga, suzuka, suzuki, yamaha
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Honda celebrates 50 years of the Accord with Collection Hall exhibit and goods
The Honda Accord debuted fifty years ago this month. To celebrate, Honda has put up a special exhibit at the Honda Collection Hall in Japan. The display features a timeline of all eleven generations, as well as a fourth-gen wagon … Continue reading
RIP Alex Zanardi, race car driver, Paralympic champ, and inspiration to all
One of the most inspiring figures in motorsport has passed away. The family of Alex Zanardi has revealed that the Italian race car driver and Paralympic athlete died peacefully on May 1. The two-time CART champion and Paralympic gold medalist … Continue reading
A Mitsubishi V12 tank engine is about to undergo restoration
A group in Japan has been trying to establish a museum about Japan’s military. They’ve been gathering parts and equipment that may some day be displayed in its halls. One such example is a rare Mitsubishi V12 tank engine that’s … Continue reading
How Honda’s ASIMO predecessor shocked the robotics world 30 years ago
The international Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers has recognized the Honda P2 robot as an IEEE Milestone. Introduced in 1996, the P2 was a revolutionary step in the field of robotics, the first self-contained humanoid robot capable of balanced … Continue reading
The Honda Super-One meets the City Turbo II
Despite Honda’s wholesale scuttling of its planned Honda Zero lineup, elsewhere in the world electric Hondas aren’t dead. The Honda Super-One was designed to be an EV hot hatch, with distinct styling that recalls the Honda City Turbo II. Now, … Continue reading
Suzuki Hayabusa factory tour: The fastest bike has a surprisingly slow manufacturing process
The Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa became an instant legend when it was introduced in 1999. Not only did it instantly claim the title of world’s fastest street-legal motorcycle, at a time when manufacturers one-upped each other incrementally, it blew the previous … Continue reading
Toyotafest 2026 will celebrate the event’s 30th anniversary
This year Toyotafest will be celebrating its 30th anniversary. It started three decades ago as a small gathering of 20 or so friends meeting to discuss their Crowns and Coronas. Today, it’s the largest single-manufacturer Japanese car show in the … Continue reading
Sakura season has begun. Happy first day of spring!
Japan’s cherry blossom bloom began on March 19, and today, March 20, is the officially the first day of spring. The sakura symbolize not only new beginnings, but due to their brief window in full bloom, the fleeting nature of … Continue reading
Posted in Holidays
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QotW: How did you learn to drive?
Today, March 16, is Driving Instructor Day, an occasion to honor those who teach others how to drive. As this 1960 photo from Minami Fukuoka Driving School shows, it can be a dreary existence repeating the same meandering route many … Continue reading
A one-owner Nissan Fairlady 280Z gets restored in Japan
While scanning the Tokyo Auto Salon for the rare stock(ish) carsstock(ish) cars last month we came across a beautiful Nissan Fairlady 280Z. It was displayed at the Wise Square booth and looked incredibly fresh. We were amazed to learn that … Continue reading
QotW: Which car from 2001 would you import?
It’s a new year, and that means a new selection of Japanese-market cars will become eligible for import in 2026. Our 25-year import law states that cars built in 2001 can now enter the country. While the thought of a … Continue reading
Suzuki applies for trademark to revive 1971 VanVan as modern e-bike
Suzuki has filed for a trademark application for the e-VanVan, an electric mini-bik inspired by the 1971 VanVan 90. Whimsically named for the sound of a revving two-stroke, the original was one of the motorcycles that defined Japan’s leisure bike … Continue reading
Honda launches Heritage Works program for parts and restoration
Honda heads, rejoice! Honda has announced a new reproduction parts program for their sports cars. And yes, the newly christened Honda Heritage Works is going global and will include Acuras as well. With an estimated 70 percent of first-gen Japan-market … Continue reading
A brief history of Street Fighter‘s car-smashing bonus stages
The trailer for the live action Street Fighter movie is out, and some fans are pretty stoked that one famous scene made the cut. Based on the Capcom video game franchise, the upcoming movie includes Street Fighter II‘s bonus stage … Continue reading
Posted in Friday Video, Video Games
Tagged celsior, crown, lexus, Lexus LS, mitsubishi, pajero, toyota
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Honda launched the Prelude with a Japanese curry cafe
To herald the long-awaited return of the Prelude in Japan, Honda opened a pop-up curry cafe. If you’ve never had the pleasure of downing a plate of proper Japanese curry you’re seriously missing out, but what is the association between … Continue reading
Pininfarina’s take on the Honda NSX has been fully revealed
There are two legendary Italian design houses penning modern interpretations of the Honda NSX right now, and one has been fully revealed. The Tensei, meaning “rebirth” in Japanese, is a carbon fiber-bodied reimagining by Pininfarina, a studio that has birthed … Continue reading
