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In Japan on holidays and doing a bit of Volvo spotting. First saw a white S60, then a pale blue new shape V40, then a 240 wagon (!) then a V60. No pics of those. Then a couple parked ones (nice black V70R and white S60). That’s just in the first half day in Tokyo. Looking forward to checking out some auto parts stores and will see if anything Volvo-related or dealers to look at.




An here’s something different - a modern Kei car that’s been converted to look like a VW Transporter.

Another funny one - Suzuki “Hustler”...have seen several of them so far.

Another one - V70 “CLASSIC”...not bad Volvo spotting for the first day!

A bit off topic, but it interests me that Tokyo seems like a futuristic place in many ways, especially when it comes to technology, yet they still use those '80's shaped LPG Toyota Crown taxi's, when high volume production hybrid Toyota's are such a popular taxi in many other countries.

Tradition must hold strong there!
Angus242164;c-159212 wroteA bit off topic, but it interests me that Tokyo seems like a futuristic place in many ways, especially when it comes to technology, yet they still use those '80's shaped LPG Toyota Crown taxi's, when high volume production hybrid Toyota's are such a popular taxi in many other countries.

Tradition must hold strong there!
Yep, you still see those old-style taxis on the road, HOWEVER, this time I’ve seen a lot of Toyota “JPN TAXI” cars that look like a knock-off of the “London taxi” style hatchback, so I suspect maybe they are moving towards that? I was here for work several times about 10 years ago and there were none of those around then. Also, it seems like there’s a lot more hybrids of every car here that we don’t get (of course).

Edit: more info here on the JPN TAXI...interesting LPG hybrid, introduced in 2017 which is why I never saw them before this trip: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_JPN_Taxi
A Nissan cube with a 50kw electric motor and a 50kw battery pack could do stupid well in Tokyo as a taxi
Day 2 Tokyo and a lot more Volvos. Not pictured, a new XC90 and a previous-gen XC90, a new XC60, XC70 and V70. Pictured are a white V40 Cross Country in the middle of the crazy Shibuya pedestrian crossing, a black S60 with yellow Lambo convertible in background, a “Polestar blue” V40 and a black V70. Also a white XC60, red V60 and the holy grail a beige 240 wagon.







Also of interest, a beautiful blue BMW coupe, and a small trike scooter with super-fat racing rear tyres and wheels. Enjoy!


Not worth uploading any pics today. Only saw a black V50 and two new-shape V40s. I’m surprised how many Mercedes G-Wagens we’ve seen...most of them black, and most twin-turbo 6.3 V8. Must be folks with $$ around!
timbo;c-159290 wroteSounds like Yakuza!
Haha I had to Google it - yes, possibly so! I did also see some Toyota Land Cruisers with large chrome wheels and even a Chevrolet Impala wagon with large chrome wheels...looked a bit dodgy!
Did the Impala have whale skin hubcaps (i.e. Dennis Leary style).
Roinik;c-159300 wroteDid the Impala have whale skin hubcaps (i.e. Dennis Leary style).
Haha no not that I recall! Sounds kinda disgusting LOL!
No outdoor Volvo spotting today as it was rainy. Instead we visited the Toyota museum and sort of “discovery centre”. Did see a few Volvo model cars in their extensive collection as well as a few in the gift shop. I’d take the yellow Supra in full size please!





Angus242164;c-159340 wroteToyota museum has Nissans and model Volvo's?
It’s sort of 2 spaces - one is a large Toyota brand “experience centre” with the new cars, racing cars, and some interactive stuff, then there’s a separate museum that has mostly Toyota stuff but also other brands. Worth a visit for the car lovers.

Side note - evening the rain cleared and we saw 2x V70s and a V60 on the streets. No pics though as too dark and too boring cars ;)
Moved on from Tokyo this morning on the Shinkansen. Cruising speed 250 kph sure puts our Australian trains to shame! :( Already saw a few Volvos here in Kanazawa, all wagons, including a V60, a couple previous-shape V70s and a new-shape V70, plus a new-shape V40. Almost everything here is a box (AKA wagon shape) or a van, except for the older Toyota taxis and various Camrys and Crowns. I’m loving the names...NOAH, VELLFIRE, SPADE, HUSTLER, VOXY...I could go on forever.
This thread is getting a bit boring...saw a few more XC60s, a V40 Cross Country or two and a V50. Forgot to mention we saw either a V90 or 940 wagon yesterday.
Well just as I said boring, we spotted a mint green S60R. So I guess I’ll upload a few pics of that and a couple other Volvos we spotted today.






@priacrow check out the S60R
carnut222;c-159389 wroteMoved on from Tokyo this morning on the Shinkansen. Cruising speed 250 kph sure puts our Australian trains to shame! :( Already saw a few Volvos here in Kanazawa, all wagons, including a V60, a couple previous-shape V70s and a new-shape V70, plus a new-shape V40. Almost everything here is a box (AKA wagon shape) or a van, except for the older Toyota taxis and various Camrys and Crowns. I’m loving the names...NOAH, VELLFIRE, SPADE, HUSTLER, VOXY...I could go on forever.
Oh, Kanazawa - do you like it, beautiful place..
@Tristan yes love Kanazawa. It is beautiful and a lot of neat old districts too.

@Angus242164 I think the Mini look-alike is a new Daihatsu copy.
Arrived Kyoto today. Saw several new-shape XC60s, a couple older V70s and this V50. Wagons rule!

Happy snap of me in my 1800ES T-shirt with the lovely 245L orange Inari gates in the background. It was quite a hike up to the top of the hill...I ran out of water well before the top...

A few firsts today - saw the first C70 (hard-top convertible) and also a new XC40. Plus a first-generation S40. The rest of the cars were the usual - a couple newer V40s (both in that egg-shell pale blue), a new and an old XC60, an S60 and a couple V60s. Very warm here in Kyoto today, but that didn’t stop the crowds at the usual tourist spots.


And one more for today. V70 with red painted wipers on windscreen and headlights, red grill, and some nice-looking gold alloy wheels. I didn’t want to snoop around too much as it was somebody’s garage. Just noticed the number plate “70”...

Looks like Volvo's are pretty popular in Japan!

Years ago I put some desirable 240 parts up on Ebay, and was surprised that a couple went to buyers in Japan, for fairly high sale prices.
Took the Shinkansen from Kyoto to Hiroshima (return) for a day trip today. Easy since it tops out around 300 kph so it only takes a couple hours each way (imagine a day trip from Melb to Canberra to visit a few museums?) Saw an S60, a V70 and an XC60 so nothing to excited. Did see an old Packard down near the Miyajima Island ferry terminal. Packed in a lot again today!

Only saw a V50 today. Did visit the Kyoto train museum (a must for train buffs - not me but my other half Haha!) I think the translation to the pic below is “This is what happens when you +T your locomotive and turn up the boost too much” LOL!

You gotta know the lingo. It translates to - 'Should've used Swedish Steel'! :)
Best regards to the Don if you see him.
thetrough;c-159632 wroteYou gotta know the lingo. It translates to - 'Should've used Swedish Steel'! :)
Best regards to the Don if you see him.
LOL I hope the closest I get to “the Don” is the photo I saw of him and Shinzo Abe playing golf. I think Don is more Sumo than golfer by the looks of the pic LOL!
OK, surprise on the Volvo spotting front after dinner tonight (last night in Kyoto)...in addition to seeing another of the common pale blue gen 2 V40s and another gen 2 V70, we happened across this “Volvo Takahashi” used Volvo and repair service. A couple gen 1 S/V40s with “Nordic” badge on the rear. Place is just around the corner from our accommodation.



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