The annual RAUH-Welt Begriff New 12 months Celebration would possibly effectively be one of the best ways to begin exploring Japanese automotive tradition throughout Tokyo Auto Salon week. I say this, as a result of it’s an occasion that anybody can take part on.
Because the final time I attended an RWB New 12 months Celebration in 2020, I’d been wanting ahead to coming again. So, after I heard that the 2023 occasion was being held at a shrine, I couldn’t hold my pleasure in test. Flights and accomodation had been booked; the New 12 months couldn’t come round fast sufficient for me.
In Japanese tradition, early January is a time that many households come collectively and go to shrines the place they need for a affluent, blissful and wholesome yr forward. I used to be amazed that Nakai-san managed to safe such a venue for this yr’s RWB occasion, however it seems he’s shut mates with the custodian at Kashiwa Jinja-Shrine in Chiba, simply quarter-hour’ drive away from RWB HQ.
Main as much as the occasion, a 20-car restrict was introduced, however after seeing the placement I wasn’t so positive they’d handle to suit that quantity in. My suspicions had been confirmed on the night time, with solely 13 vehicles admitted given the sheer variety of folks attending. I arrived early to see the vehicles roll in, which is all the time a tremendous sight.
Once I attended the 2020 RWB New 12 months Celebration, Nakai-san’s 997 conversion was nonetheless a prototype, so seeing a couple of buyer vehicles collectively was superior. They appear wonderful, particularly the cabriolet model. It’s positively a brand new period of RWB transferring ahead, though it was additionally nice to see the 930, 964 and 993 RWB classics.
Whereas I noticed Nakai-san early, he disappeared to choose up a particular visitor. Nobody anticipated Cody Walker to make an entrance, and that basically obtained the gang going.
As soon as everybody within the RWB household had arrived, speeches had been made, together with a few phrases from the shrine custodian, adopted by a Miko-mai, a Japanese conventional Shinto ritual ceremonial dance, which I’ve all the time wished to see in individual.
As I hoped it might be, the 2023 RAUH-Welt Begriff New 12 months Celebration was an effective way to begin Tokyo Auto Salon week. Simply having the ability to go to Japan once more meant the ambiance was electrifying, so I do know it’s going to be an thrilling yr forward.
Rick Muda
Instagram: ardskellig
