Search the Community

Will be available in Japan from June 2024. Honda Freed Air Honda Freed Crosstar Quick Spec Dimensions: 4,310 mm (L) x 1,695 mm (W) x 1,755 mm (H) Wheelbase: 2,740 mm Engine: 1.5L Petrol and Hybrid (e:HEV) Transmission: CVT Drivetrain: 2WD and 4WD

To be unveiled in Japan in September 2022. Although it is sized between the HR-V and CR-V, but this new SUV will be replacing the CR-V in the Japanese Market, as they just announced the cease of CR-V production days before introducing this latest ZR-V. A strange move to me. For those of you who are follow motoring news closely, you may find that it look very familiar and that you have seen it somewhere. Well, the same model is available in the USA recently, but using the HR-V nameplate. Another head scratching decisions by Honda...

Went to Hokkaido recently and would like to share some photos here. Famous for its flower flied and winter sports during winter, August is end of the summer season I think. Weather wise still cooling average around 22 C with morning and evening dropping to below 18C. This trip I rented a 8 seater and total distance covered is approx 1400 Km. While the speed limit for city is 50 km/hr and highway 80 km/hr, to maintain at 80 km/hr on highway is not so easy. Took Scoot from Singapore and transit at Taiwan (1 hour transit time) Good break but just enough time to get on the plane. Landed in Sapporo early morning. This is a short of their air port. nowhere near Changi T1 but there are buses you can catch to town. I booked Unizo Inn next to Sapporo Grand Hotel. Checked in and walk to collect my car which I booked with Budget car rental. It is within walking distance. Photos of a street shot in Sapporo and their underground train station (MRT). Beside flower and snow, Japan is also about food. 1st stop is their famous Furano Cheese factory. But, it is more like a cafe and their cakes.

CGI

2022 Mazda CX-5 Revealed With Updated Design, Standard All-Wheel Drive There are more changes than meets the eye as the 2022 CX-5 benefits from a more responsive six-speed automatic transmission delivering smoother acceleration. Not only that, but the compact SUV now features a different suspension to better iron out vibrations and diminish road noise courtesy of a new dampening control structure and higher frame rigidity. Another important update is all-wheel drive being made standard across the range. As a matter of fact, Mazda is offering AWD as standard equipment on all CX models going forward. From the subcompact CX-30 to the midsize CX-9, every single SUV sold by the company will have an all-paw system even in the entry-level trim.

The current 10th generation Civic was officially unveiled on 17 September 2015, and after close to 5 years, the next gen is on the horizon. The spy shots below shown the 5 door Type R variant, which look more upright than the current gen even though it was wearing heavy cladding. More spy shots of the other variants can be expected to surface very soon. Stay tuned.

Aloha! When you think of some words, there is no doubt as to the what the word is associated with. And “Aloha” conjures up beaches, surf and of course, Hawaii Five O… Hawaii is a tourist destination that sits between mainland USA, and Japan as well as the rest of Asia, with a population that is as varied as it is in Asia, and a significant Japanese population of almost 30%. You will find fifth generation Japs who no longer speak Japanese and plenty of restaurants, signboards in Japanese and there is certainly a vibe that feels Asian, and yet distinct. It is blended from Asian influx, with Pilipino, Korean and of course Japanese influence as well as the Polynesian background and of course American immersion. Let’s not forget the British aspect too, in fact the flag of Hawaii features the Union Jack in the canton (upper left corner) due to historical ties between the Hawaiian Kingdom and Great Britain. King Kamehameha I, who unified the Hawaiian Islands, received a British flag from Captain George Vancouver in 1793 and initially adopted it. The eight horizontal stripes on the flag represent the eight major Hawaiian Islands. So last year, I realised that there was a conference in Hawaii, and if I booked my flights early, I could scrounge together enough money to go, and bring some of my students along too, so I got my hotel and flights sorted out last year, and got a decent price. I couldn’t get SQ, because it was twice the price of ANA and I had to take two red eye flights, but because I had done my maths, I could get lie flat seats. The other option was Zip Air but the incremental cost to ANA was not that much so I took the leap. I had heard good things about their service and good food, so I was keen to give it a shot. Now I enjoy the colours at dawn and dusk and this trip, I got to experience some of the best views in all my years of flying.. Now there are no direct flights to Hawaii, you can go via Japan, which is the most popular, or even Taiwan and Philippines. ANA offers route via Haneda and Narita, so take note of the layover timing, and whether you will want to plan a stopover in Japan, but you’ll need to get your bags if you get out for longer than a stopover. At the time of my trip, there were demos for transit passengers, eg on the way there, you can see a demo of wooden block painting, and you can try on a samurai suit on the way back. Also, the pharmacies in the Narita Airport sell a lot of stuff, and good meds for kids too Narita is a wonderful place to stopover with nice showers and made to order ramen / udon. You can customise by asking them to add more ingredients. Friendly efficient service. I booked Wyndham by Ramada, a tourist class hotel, centrally located in Waikiki and walking distance to the convention. Bear in mind, everything is in miles, but it was ok, about 10 minutes walk away. The weather is pretty much sunny all the time with sporadic showers. No one stops what they are doing because of these small rains, and they end as soon as they begin, but make the heat more bearable. In fact the weather is a lot like ours, so put away your coats and jeans, tees, Hawaiian shirts as well as bermudas are standard here, unless you’re here on business. Essentials for Hawaii include hats, sunblock and plenty of water. It’s the equator, so like us, their days get bright early but around 7 plus, it also gets dark. In between the heat is on, and it is usually blazing hot. The walk from the hotel to the convention is not too far but the heat is a killer. However the views are nice though, with a little vignette of Waikiki, the Hawaiian tourist town. The cost of living and holidays in Hawaii has gone up significantly over the years and that has pushed away some travellers, but it is still pretty crowded. You will need to budget USD 20 per meal unless you cook, eat sandwiches and Macs throughout. I went to this posh steak place called Prime Signature Steakhouse, twice actually because there were two different groups and they all used this place. It’s the go to place for nice meals with a view. Food is $$ in this restaurant, but very nice. as you expect from the name the steaks / beef is the thing, but seafood is awesome.

Patent images from Brazil registry. The front bonnet is exceptionally and unnecessarily long. Total waste of space (and material) in my opinion since the engine option is unlikely to be anything larger than an IL4 2.0 sump which will be transversely mount as usual. These spy shots give us a glimpse of how the actual car sis going to look like.

Lai lai, let guess what will be the new name after their merger. Honsan, Nissda, HN Motors, NH Motors, etc. Japan’s Honda and Nissan to reportedly begin merger talks Nissan and Honda plan to enter into negotiations for a merger to better compete in the rapidly changing automotive industry, the Nikkei newspaper reported Tuesday. Honda and Nissan are considering operating under a holding company, and soon will sign a memorandum of understanding, according to the report. The combined Nissan-Honda-Mitsubishi enterprise would equate to more than 8 million vehicle sales annually, according to Nikkei. That would place the company among the world’s largest automakers, but still below fellow Japanese automaker Toyota Motor, at 11.2 million in 2023, as well as German automaker Volkswagen, which last year reported sales of 9.2 million vehicles.

New EVs from Honda, targeted to hit the market next year. The look of the 0 SUV look less radical than the sedan. Production versions of the 0 Saloon and 0 SUV will be made at Honda's Ohio-based EV hub, starting in 2026. These cars will use an all-new centralized e/e architecture (electrical/electronic) running a new SoC done by Renesas Electronics Corporation. Honda also claims that these cars will also be able to do Level 3 autonomous driving. Honda’s back at CES with another iteration of the 0-series Saloon concept, and a new follow-up – called the 0 SUV. It’s not entirely clear how close either car is to its final production body, but we shouldn’t discount how outlandish modern manufacturers can be, especially since they’ve got to compete with increasingly wild Chinese EV designs. Honda 0 Saloon Honda 0 SUV

Hi Guys, Am going to Osaka, Japan for a short trip(1week). Planned to take train to tokyo from Osaka as well. Might stop over at Hakone on the way to Tokyo if time permit us. All feedback and advise are welcome.... Thanks in advance

You know when you go to a mamak shop or Good Price and see those brightly coloured plastic toy 'instruments' that you would buy for kids to bang away on? Well, someone (Japanese, of course) had the idea to basically turn that into an actual musical instrument. I present you: The Otamatone. The Otamatone originated in Japan in 1998, thanks to the creative minds at CUBE Works and Maywa Denki. This playful music instrument boasts a quirky, note-inspired design that has captured the imagination of many. But it wasn't until its official release in 2009 that it became one of Japan's best-selling musical toys. The instrument's popularity skyrocketed due to its simplicity and unique sound, making it a favourite among both musicians and enthusiasts worldwide. What perhaps most stands out is the way it blends ingenuity and playfulness. The instrument looks like a whimsical eighth note with a face that "sings" through a silicone mouth. Its invention aimed to democratise music-making, turning aesthetics into sound. It combines the absurdity of a cartoonish tadpole with the ability to produce delightful electronic tones. When else can you say that a musical instrument has two eyes on it. But perhaps the best thing about the otamatone is watching people play covers on it - covering iconic songs with remarkably absurd and hilarious results: If that didn't make you chuckle a little, I would be slightly worried about your joyless existence. And as always, stay weird, Japan.

The spec for the PHEV look mouth watering. Dimensions 4,745 mm (L) 1,890 mm (W) 1,680 mm (H) 2,870 mm (WB) Engine 2.5L e-SkyActiv-G IL4 PHEV (323HP, 500Nm, 5.8 sec, 200Kmh) 3.0L e-SkyActiv-X IL6 mild hybrid 3.3L e-SkyActiv-D IL6 mild hybrid

Anyone visited there for holiday recently? Any recommended place for food and visit?

Ahh Japan. The destination that many travellers desire. The perennial trending subject on social media. Japanese cuisine, culture, quirks, technology, and everything kawaii have inspired endless posts, stories, reels, YouTube videos, and TikToks. If one didn't know better, you'd think it was the dream destination on this planet. While I love the food, the service and the shopping, the sheer number of tourists (me included) has become a turn-off. I'm not talking about those who inconvenience locals by blocking the road to take photos (that's another story) or about badly behaved tourists (also another topic for another day). Tokyo is crowded even if you avoid the obvious tourist destinations. (Image: Benjamin Wong, Unsplash) What is annoying is seeing tourists everywhere, even in previously quiet spots. It seems like there's no place in Japan that goes unvisited (an exaggeration but it feels like it nonetheless). If I seem like I'm only realising this now, it's because I only travel to Japan once a year. Where to find peace and quiet? Omotesando, located just behind Harajuku, used to be quiet, because it was away from the main road. But thanks to social media, that's no longer the case. Tourists also throng its narrow streets, filling its boutiques; jostling with them is not my idea of a holiday. I can do that anytime in Singapore. When will Meiji Shrine feel this quiet again? Perhaps when the yen appreciates and makes travel to Japan expensive. (Image: Alex Rainer, Unsplash) Meiji Shrine, which felt like it was previously only visited by locals, is now filled with tourists filming videos. The last time I visited the shrine was to enjoy the walk through the canopy of trees outside and hear the crunching of gravel underfoot. During my last trip in January this year, I still heard the gravel. But sadly, it was accompanied by the incessant chatter from groups of tourists. So, next year, I'm giving Japan a miss. There are other cities in East Asia that are just as worth a visit, and probably not as crowded, too. – Jeremy (Main image: David Edelstein, Unsplash)

https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Automobiles/China-s-BYD-starts-EV-sales-in-Japan-as-it-chases-Tesla?utm_campaign=GL_asia_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_source=NA_newsletter&utm_content=article_link&del_type=1&pub_date=20230131190000&seq_num=9&si=44594 China's BYD starts EV sales in Japan as it chases Tesla Elon Musk's company has global lead but affordable option has entered the race BYD, which has made a big name for itself in China, intends to catch up with Tesla in global electric vehicle sales. (Source photos courtesy of BYD and Getty Images) SAYUMI TAKE, Nikkei staff writerJanuary 31, 2023 18:15 JST YOKOHAMA, Japan -- Chinese automaker BYD began selling electric vehicles in Japan on Tuesday as it pursues its global ambitions to overtake more established nameplates. BYD's debut in the world's fourth largest auto market comes with it having secured its place as China's top EV seller and nipping at the heels of American EV giant Tesla in global EV sales. BYD also sells electric vehicles in Australia and Thailand, and has production plants in South America. "We're very excited to be bringing our cars to Japanese customers," said Atsuki Tofukuji, president of BYD Auto Japan, a marketing subsidiary. Tofukuji talked to reporters at BYD's first Japanese sales location, due to open on Thursday in Yokohama, the big port city south of Tokyo. While the Chinese automaker is gaining fame as an EV battery seller, its car sales remain largely dependent on domestic demand. This puts it considerably behind Elon Musk's top-running Tesla, which has penetrated many more global markets. BYD has been eager to close the gap and recently began exporting to India, home to a fledgling EV market, and to Thailand, where it plans its first ASEAN production hub. The Atto 3, which went on sale on Jan. 31 in Japan, has already attracted a "fair amount" of test-drive reservations from prospective buyers. (Photo by Sayumi Take) BYD is entering Japan with a key strength against Tesla, affordability, backed by its roots as a battery maker. The company's flagship Atto 3 midsize SUV, which today went on sale in Japan, goes for 4.4 million yen ($33,800), cheaper than Tesla and Nissan EVs. Government EV subsidies, if they continue, will lower the price. Deliveries are to begin around March. The Yokohama store is also "a good way to present new brands to Japanese customers" as they can actually familiarize themselves with EVs and consult professional dealers about purchases on the spot, Tofukuji said. It is the first of over 20 showrooms that BYD plans to establish across Japan this year. The company aspires to have over 100 dealerships in the country by the end of 2025. This contrasts with Tesla, which largely relies on internet sales. BYD's showroom in Yokohama only has the Atto 3 on display but later this year will exhibit two additional models. Visitors can also take the SUV out for test drives, and the store is already receiving a "fair amount" of reservations. Each BYD dealer in Japan will be equipped with 50-kilowatt quick chargers that can juice up the Atto 3 in about 60 minutes. Japan's EV market has been expanding, though notably slower than other countries. Domestic EV sales in 2022 came to about 59,000 units, a record and almost triple the previous year's total, according to industry groups. They accounted for 1.7% of Japan's passenger car market, surpassing 1% for the first time. But most of the growth is due to vehicles that fall into the kei car category. These microcars are considered to be easy to drive around crowded cities and require relatively low maintenance. And since they need little power, their makers have been able to more easily transition to electric drivetrains. The rest of the industry faces a relatively large obstacle: Many chargers in the country operate on such low power that it takes hours to sufficiently juice up a regular EV. BYD's strategy is to "introduce products that fit each country's charging environment," Tofukuji said, "unlike Tesla, which distributes chargers exclusive to its models." Despite Japan's slowly developing EV market, BYD faces a raft of competitors. Foreign luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz, Tesla and Audi are eager to take big shares of the young market. And although Japan's storied auto industry is filled with EV laggards, those dawdlers are moving to catch up. Toyota recently named a new president and CEO, tasking the relatively young executive with adapting to today's industry trends. "The Japanese EV market overall is getting bigger, and this is a good time to be entering [the competition]," Tofukuji said. "We hope to provide a rich EV life along with the development of Japan's EV environment."

Ok, the title might be slightly misleading, but there is still a Japan-link. So, pufferfish. Specifically, a wikipedia entry called Pufferfish mating ritual. Long story short, one particular species of pufferfish make complex geometric circles in the sand to attract a mate. And this particular species is found only in Japan. It's beautiful. It's bizarre. And it's absolutely amazing. From the wikipedia entry: In a 2014 documentary by the BBC, narrator David Attenborough describes pufferfish as "dull, almost to the point of invisibility. But to compensate, he is probably nature's greatest artist." Cracks me up.

Fireflies. Not a topic I think about often, if at all, but here we are. On a recent podcast episode, I learnt that the light that fireflies emit is nearly 100% efficient. That's amazing (nature generally is). And it is precisely the study of fireflies (and their light) that has allowed the development of more efficient LED lights. On a whim, I did a bit of extra Googling, and lo and behold, Japan pops up once more, with yet another culturally-unique eccentricity. In Japan, there are parks entirely dedicated to firefly-watching. Here a quote from the Wikipedia page: "Fireflies have attracted human attention since classical antiquity; their presence has been taken to signify a wide variety of conditions in different cultures and is especially appreciated aesthetically in Japan, where parks are set aside for this specific purpose." Hotaru Matsuri (ホタル まつり) translates directly to 'firefly festival'; fireflies emerge from their larvae state to mate, and in most species the adults live for just a few weeks in the summer. As is the way of the natural world, breeding is the name of the game. The fireflies' bioluminescence is primarily for mate selection - it allows the fireflies to communicate with each other to find potential mates. Beginning around late-May, this also helps signify the changing of the seasons. In Japan, fireflies are bred and released in various parks in the summer period, and the result is a spectacular organic light show: Perhaps unsurprisingly, fireflies have a broader cultural significance in Japan, with their ethereal existence a metaphor for passionate love. Fireflies have been a notable part of Japan's literary canon, with poetry and literature that dates back to the 8th century. With the species declining, its nice to know that there are Firefly Courses to help with conservation efforts. More people may also be familiar with the film Hotaru no Haka, or Grave of the Fireflies, a Studio Ghibli-produced animated historical war drama film that's universally acclaimed. It's certainly one of the more depressing movies I've ever watched, but my god is it powerful and poetic. Pretty amazing, eh, for a bunch of light-emitting beetles.

While it look more like a facelift of the 5th gen Serena (C27), this actually a brand new model from Nissan, and it is now available in 3 drive train options: petrol only, petrol hybrid and ePower (EV). The gasoline version uses a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine with 150 horsepower (110 kilowatts) and 200 Newton-meters of torque offered with or without all-wheel drive and a CVT. There's also a hybrid e-Power model (2WD only) with a new and quieter 1.4-liter engine producing 98 hp (72 kW) and 123 Nm. Combined with the electric motor, the total system output is 163 hp (120 kW) and 315 Nm.

juz wondering if any of u guys are going?

So yup guys... as the header says... I use Japan Guide as my reference for this price hike... hopefully the pricing is correct. https://www.japan-guide.com/news/japan-rail-pass-cost-increase.html Current 21 + 7 day Pass price = 60,450 + 29, 650 = 90,100 yen New Price 21 + 7 day Pass price = 100,000 + 50,000 = 150,000 yen So must pay about $600 more per person... Flying in and out of Fukuoka cos the pricing for SQ plus want to travel whole Japan. Tickets already purchased. My trip is 2 - 30 Dec 2023... 28 days... so must buy a 21 + 7 day pass... My trip itinerary comprise the following Shinkansen trips: Singapore - Fukuoka (SQ) Fukuoka - Hiroshima (Shinkansen) 8570 yen Hiroshima - Osaka (Shinkansen) 9890 yen Osaka - Nagano (Shinkansen) 11,220 yen Nagano - Tokyo (Shinkansen) 8340 yen Tokyo - Aomori (Shinkansen) 17,670 yen Aomori - Hakodate (Shinkansen) 8160 yen Hakodate - Tokyo (Shinkansen) 23, 760 yen Tokyo - Fukuoka (Shinkansen) 22,220 yen Fukuoka - SIngapore (SQ) Plus all the other limited express, express and local JR trains in each area as applicable. Just based on the shinkansen trips above the total is 109,830 yen. I'm still out of pocket by 40, 170 yen. That works out to about $400 right? Still worth it to pay for the JR Pass or not? I mean there are many other parts at each area where I also take JR trains and they are mighty expensive too...

Please hold tight to your chair before you scroll down for the images. ... Are you ready? ... Ok, be prepared, OK? Sadly, this is how the new Japanese Rojak will look like... Patent images obtained by Japanese magazines from the local trademark bureau show a new take on the Crown. It doesn’t seem to be wearing its distinctive badge, but we're being told this high-riding fastback will indeed be sold as a Crown. The somewhat odd shape should be familiar as the Citroën C5 X and China's Ford Evos have a similar body. Going back in time, we're getting hints of the defunct Honda Crosstour. The car featured here will reportedly go by the name of Crown Cross and should have the following dimensions: 4,930 mm long, 1,840 mm wide, and 1,540 mm tall, with a wheelbase measuring 2,850 mm. That would make it bigger in every dimension compared to the outgoing sedan, but with a slightly shorter wheelbase. Sources from the Land of the Rising Sun claim Toyota wants to sell the reinvented Crown with a four-cylinder 2.5-liter hybrid engine hooked out to a CVT. There also might be a turbocharged 2.4-liter with an electric motor and a six-speed automatic. It will sit on the TNGA-K platform and come with a choice between front- and all-wheel drive, with a plug-in hybrid option in the works. The official premiere is allegedly locked in for July 15. And I forgot to add, when I first saw its face, it is >90% like the Civic.

There are plenty of strange sports in this world. People running from bulls. People running after cheese. Power Slap. But of course few places do weird quite like Japan. Introducing to you: Bo-taoshi. The name means 'topple the pole', and that's exactly the name of the game. Except of course its never quite so simple. You want teams? Oh, you get teams. 150 players, split into 75 offensive and 75 defensive - one holding your pole up, the other attacking another team to topple their pole. And you thought American Football teams were big. It's utter chaos. Literally people leaping onto one another, springboarding off bodies on the ground, clinging on to the pole (and other people) for dear life. It's a utterly wild combination of tug-of-war, rugby, capture-the-flag, sumo, and unleashed testosterone. Apparently played in schools (but increasingly rare), it's said that "the game promotes teamwork, toughness and sportsmanship". Here, see it for yourself: I wonder if people complaining about Uni orientation games being "too risque" would rather Bo-taoshi be played instead. Stay weird, Japan. ~ Desmond