Japan trip May 2010

[DougNg]

When did you start smoking lights?

[Beatle]

Good night, Japan

[Giles]

Lights not good enough Doug?

We found Daniel eventually, he had been down in Osaka.  Oday it's the Shinkansen to Nagano.  G

[commodorewheeler]

Have fun, Giles! Can't wait to hear more updates!

[Beatle]

Shinkansen …the mere mentioning of the bullet train makes my eyes tear up...

[Giles]

I'm back, few picks taken in TFH and loads of goodies picked up.  More tomorrow, I need food and a beer

[STAN]

Mr G,
How's the weather in Japan at this time?

[Beatle]

Sounds like a great day *looking forward to pics

[that_was_easy]

Sounds like a load of fun G!

@Beatle:

Shinkansen …the mere mentioning of the bullet train makes my eyes tear up...

Imagine if a denim maker (Haraki???) got the idea to depict two of the trains ripping apart a pair of jeans.  Now THAT, would really get the point across.

[Giles]

Stan,  Weather is HOT.  G

[Katsushin]

@Giles:

Stan,  Weather is HOT.  G

This really can be a nasty time to be in Japan.  I always go to the drug store and get packs of mentholated body wipes.  Very refreshing!  That humidity is a killer…

[Giles]

So, yesterday was a Flat Head day, the 3 of us caught the Bullet train up to Nagano and spent the day with Kobayashi- san and the Flat Head gang.

Kobayashi insisted we go and play with his toys.  Here is a set of 3 Cadillac's.  Not sure you can see the number plates, but they are all 3005:

A couple more cars in the neighbouring garage:

Shame the engines are so dirty:

Daniel looking "cool" at the wheel:

The it was off to the leather workshops, here is a selection of the leathers they use; Python, Cordovan, Lizard, Stingray, Alligator:

Then off to the repairs workshop, this is daniel making hunch belt loops on a very ancient Union Special.  Kobayashi-san believes it is the only working example of this type of machine in the world.  This workshop may as well be a museum:

And this is what I need:

Today, we met with Awaya-san, the President of PBJ.  Tomorrow it's off to the main event, a day with Haraki-san and the IHHQ Crew.  Lot's of pics of that to come…G

[Beatle]

Man, you should have gotten somebody to take a pic of you on the Union..hopefully we will see that in the near future..

Good to know what Daniel looks like , now I can hunt him down***

[Giles]

@Beatle:

Good to know what Daniel looks like , now I can hunt him down***

I will warn him when he surfaces…..G

[Seul]

Kickass pics… That first'un is just epic!..

[Beatle]

@Giles:

I will warn him when he surfaces…..G

lol..you better give him a heads up ..if he's already napping after 2 days on the road I will catch him with my feet bound

[commodorewheeler]

Nice pics, Giles! Looks like you guys had a blast!

[Madame Buttonfly]

Judging from recent phone calls from G, the boys are definitely having a blast!  Last time we spoke (late evening in Tokyo) G promised we'll go back to Japan together in November and stay on for an extra week as holiday… not 100% sure he's gonna remember the conversation though...

[Beatle]

I'll back you up***

[LandoCal126 0]

Am I jealous!!! The American Automobiles, Americana Signage, Leathers, Machinery, traveling in Japan, and just hanging out in that environment for a moment in time sound incredible! Thank you for sharing your experiences with us! One day I will make it on these tours…