{"id":11501,"date":"2016-05-20T15:38:15","date_gmt":"2016-05-20T14:38:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.insidejapantours.com\/?p=11501"},"modified":"2016-05-20T15:39:14","modified_gmt":"2016-05-20T14:39:14","slug":"itasha-car-culture-akihabara","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2016\/05\/20\/itasha-car-culture-akihabara\/","title":{"rendered":"Itasha car culture in Akihabara"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F11501&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F11501\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F11501&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F11501&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F11501%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F11501\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F11501\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul><p><strong>Our Office Administrator, Matt Goldsmith, is a committed manga, anime and car enthusiast &#8211; so who better to give an introduction to the subculture of <em>itasha<\/em>!? Welcome to a world you never knew existed&#8230;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Akihabara has a reputation as Japan\u2019s electronics town. The area became famous after World War II as it was THE place in Tokyo to buy black market radio and electronic equipment. Nowadays, Akihabara (or Akiba as it is commonly referred to by the locals) is synonymous with the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Otaku\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>otaku<\/em> <\/a>subculture. Over the years Akiba has evolved into a hub for all things manga, anime and gaming related; so when you throw modified cars into the mix, you get something very unique to Japan: <em>i<\/em><em>tasha<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>In the world of the Japanese car scene, the word <em>itasha<\/em> means \u201cpainful car\u201d. Whether it&#8217;s painfully embarrassing to be seen in or painful on the wallet due to the cost of modifying the vehicle; <em>itasha<\/em> cars are always decorated with the owner\u2019s favourite manga (usually cute\/<em>kawaii<\/em> girls) and adorned with visually extreme modifications, including LED lights and aerodynamically-challenged bodykits.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a subculture of the car scene that is rarely seen outside of a few major cities in Japan. However, in recent years the <em>itasha<\/em> style has begun to be adopted by the mainstream (in Japan at least); with high profile domestic race cars combining wild designs and sponsorship tie-ins (see Goodsmile Racing\u2019s SUPER GT entries).<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_11503\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11503\" style=\"width: 1170px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11503 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/02.jpg\" alt=\"Goodsmile Racing\u2019s Z4 | (c) Speedz Low\" width=\"1170\" height=\"780\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/02.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/02-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/02-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/02-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/02-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/02-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/02-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/02-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/02-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/02-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1170px) 100vw, 1170px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-11503\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Goodsmile Racing\u2019s Z4 | (c) Speedz Low<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>With many manga and anime set in and around the Akihabara area of Taito, it\u2019s only natural for the locals to get involved. The most popular theme at the moment is <em>Love Live! School Idol Project<\/em>. The story focuses around nine girls who attempt to save their school (located in the Kanda\/Akihabara area) by forming an Idol group, which were made famous by Akihabara\u2019s own AKB48 (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2014\/08\/12\/akb48-the-surprising-truth-behind-the-worlds-biggest-band\/\">you can read more about AKB48 here<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>With nine characters to choose from, <em>otaku<\/em> have quite a few options when it comes to decorating their cars with <em>Love Live!<\/em> decals. Ensuring you don\u2019t choose the same character as your friend must be high on your list of priorities; you wouldn\u2019t want to cruise around looking like you\u2019re part of the Hanayo Koizumi fan club, would you?<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_11504\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11504\" style=\"width: 1170px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11504 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/03.jpg\" alt=\"03\" width=\"1170\" height=\"658\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/03.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/03-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/03-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/03-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/03-564x317.jpg 564w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/03-900x506.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/03-720x405.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/03-390x219.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/03-780x439.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/03-510x287.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1170px) 100vw, 1170px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-11504\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>Itasha<\/em> cars in Akiba<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Well, it didn\u2019t stop the Toyota Celica and Nissan S15 above (obviously Koizumi-chan fans), so I guess you just stick to your guns and be passionate for whomever you like, regardless of what others think \u2013 and that\u2019s what that makes <em>otaku<\/em>, <em>otaku<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s also the ethos behind all modified cars. Without trying to sound all Jerry Springer about it; whether you love or hate these cars, you have to respect them. I guess the UK alternative would be a Vauxhall Astra with artwork from the Beano down the side; and when you imagine that in your mind\u2019s eye, it becomes distinctly less cool \u2013 and you begin to understand why this style is quite niche.<\/p>\n<p>What surprised me the most was that these aren\u2019t just cheap cars with cheap aftermarket parts and a ton of stickers. Watching a Nissan Silvia S15 trying to parallel-park with what sounded like the most aggressive of limited-slip differentials, you begin to realise that despite looking like they\u2019ve let their 12-year old child loose with the vinyl cutter, many of these cars could handle themselves in a <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Shutokou_Battle_series\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>kaido<\/em><\/a> battle on the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bayshore_Route\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wangan<\/a> or racing down the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/T%C5%8Dge\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>touges<\/em><\/a> of rural Japan. Of course, they\u2019re not all Japanese automotive royalty and there are many wagons and <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kei_car\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>kei<\/em> class vehicles<\/a> \u2013 but you have to start somewhere!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_11505\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11505\" style=\"width: 1170px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11505 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/04.jpg\" alt=\"04\" width=\"1170\" height=\"780\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/04.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/04-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/04-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/04-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/04-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/04-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/04-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/04-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/04-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/04-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1170px) 100vw, 1170px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-11505\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Moped or mobile movie theatre?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>It isn\u2019t just the cars. Motorcycles don\u2019t escape the <em>itasha<\/em> treatment either. Scooters and bikes fitted with LEDs and TV screens also line the streets, grabbing attention from adoring <em>otaku<\/em> and puzzled tourists alike. There was a time when the term &#8220;<em>otaku&#8221;<\/em> was a negative, condescending slur against this kind of behaviour; nowadays it\u2019s almost a badge of honour for the scene they are involved in and the community they belong to. Even outside of Japan, the &#8220;<em>otaku<\/em>&#8221; title has been adopted by manga and anime fans to describe their passion for these Japanese subcultures.<\/p>\n<p><em>Otaku<\/em> are portrayed as a shy, lonely bunch; so to decorate your car or bike in a way that is designed to attract attention is quite a breakaway culture. It is also a great way of meeting like-minded people without having to start a conversation. Whatever you think of the <em>itasha<\/em>, you can\u2019t help but admire their community. They are also really friendly, so don\u2019t be afraid to ask them about their cars or manga.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-11501 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2016\/05\/20\/itasha-car-culture-akihabara\/attachment\/05\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/05-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-11506\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/05-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/05-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-11506'>\n\t\t\t\tOtaku are a friendly, but shy bunch\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2016\/05\/20\/itasha-car-culture-akihabara\/attachment\/06\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/06-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-11507\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/06-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/06-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-11507'>\n\t\t\t\tNo vehicle is safe from Itasha modification\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2016\/05\/20\/itasha-car-culture-akihabara\/attachment\/07\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/07-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-11508\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/07-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/07-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-11508'>\n\t\t\t\tLove Live! is the most popular theme\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2016\/05\/20\/itasha-car-culture-akihabara\/attachment\/08\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/08-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-11509\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/08-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/08-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-11509'>\n\t\t\t\tSubaru\u2019s Legacy is a big, fast canvas\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2016\/05\/20\/itasha-car-culture-akihabara\/attachment\/09\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/09-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Itasha\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/09-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/09-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2016\/05\/20\/itasha-car-culture-akihabara\/10-10\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/10-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/10-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/10-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2016\/05\/20\/itasha-car-culture-akihabara\/11-11\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/11-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/11-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/11-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2016\/05\/20\/itasha-car-culture-akihabara\/12-13\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/12-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/12-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/12-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2016\/05\/20\/itasha-car-culture-akihabara\/13-9\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/13-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/13-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/13-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>Like this post? 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Help us by sharing it! Our Office Administrator, Matt Goldsmith, is a committed manga, anime and car enthusiast &#8211; so who better to give an introduction to the subculture of itasha!? Welcome to a world you never knew existed&#8230; Like this post? 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