Coppa di Tokyo: Don’t miss classic car event in Tokyo’s Italian district Nov. 23

Coppa di Tokyo (Photos by Yasunori Yasumoto, Stripes Japan)

If you are a classic car fan, don’t miss Coppa di Tokyo in Tokyo’s Shiodome district Nov. 23.

During this annual event, more than 100 famous classic cars manufactured in the 1950s, 60s and 70s will be displayed in Shiodome West Park, also known as Tokyo’s Italian Square. You can get a close-up view of authentic legendary cars free of charge!

The classic cars will not only displayed statically in the park, but they will also tour Tokyo streets to compete with each other on how accurately they can pass checkpoints in Ueno and Asakusa with designated times.

This event has classic car lovers excited.

“Can you imagine more than hundreds of legendary cars running along popular Tokyo streets against the backdrop of traditional temples and shrines of Ueno and Asakusa?” said Yasunori Yasumoto, an employee of Stars and Stripes’ Zama Office. “That sure will remind you as if you were enjoying parades in a popular theme park.”

According to Yasumoto, European classic cars manufactured in the 1950s, 60s and 70s are unique, photogenic and often have neo-futuristic spaceship-like shapes.

“Among them, I love Heinkel Trojan200 (1963), which is often called ‘babble car,’ and Messerschmidt KR200 (1958) and BMW Isetta300 (1959), as they have looks of washing machines rather than automobiles,” he said.

As fall deepens, why not head out to the scenic Italian district of Tokyo to fall in love with one or more legendary classic cars?