If the world voted on who had the best car culture, which country do you think would win? It’s quite possible that Japan’s car culture would come out on top.
It’s an artistic blend of highly modified JDM (Japanese domestic market) cars, a massive drift scene, and enthusiast car gatherings that are off the scale. I visited the Tokyo Auto Salon (TAS) show this year to see what’s trending for 2026 and what’s available for the outdoor enthusiast with an eye toward car camping, overlanding, and off-road adventure.
Tokyo Auto Salon 2026
TAS is considered one of the most important car events in the world. Granted, the show embraces performance, creativity, and Japanese car culture; it also showcases cars that people actually build, modify, and dream of owning.
The emphasis on aftermarket parts makes TAS a great venue for exposure to creative builds, performance in different forms, and precision parts. To keep my mind on the right track, I focused on interesting builds and parts that might appeal to a North American audience.
Walking the convention halls and checking out the booths at the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon was pretty much sensory overload. Top brands, such as HKS, Liberty Walk, Trust/Greddy, Spoon, and Kuhl, were there in full force.
Given TAS’s reputation for its focus on craftsmanship, innovation, and individuality, show attendance this year exceeded 250,000 souls. This meant going shoulder-to-shoulder with a swarm of car lovers when the doors were opened to the general public.
Awesome Builds at Tokyo Auto Salon 2026
Below, I highlight some vehicles that are distinctly tailored for the Japanese market but also have the potential to crossover to America.
Here is a small sampling of camper conversions, wide-body kits, accessories intended for outdoor lifestyles, and a couple of things that were simply … thought-provoking.
NEXUS Japan Toyota Land Cruiser 250
The Black Bear roof tent, as seen atop a NEXUS Japan Toyota Land Cruiser 250, offers generous interior space. When opened, the highest point is 59 inches, and the 1.6-inch–thick foam mattress will easily fit two adults. Occupants can still feel connected with the outdoors by enjoying the view through the skylight and large screened windows.
The fabricators at Black Bear understand that durability is a key factor when choosing a roof tent. Thus, the shell fabric is 600D Oxford with a waterproof rating of 3,000 mm and a UV protection rating of UPF 50+. The alloy frame has a respectable maximum load rating of 550 pounds (250 kg).
For narrower vehicles, the Black Bear roof tent is available in two widths. The stored dimensions of Model RFT121 are 210 x 121 x 15.5 cm (L x W x H), and Model RFT131, which is 10 cm wider, has stored dimensions of 210 x 131 x 15.5 cm (L x W x H).
NEXUS Japan also offers custom builds, parts, and accessories for the RAV4, Nissan X-Trail, and many other models not sold in North America.
White House Camper Pop-Up Tent
Mounted on top of a Suzuki Nomad is a White House Camper with a spacious bed measuring 79.5” x 42.5” (202cm x 108cm). Inside height measurements were unavailable.
What makes this rooftop tent different is how it’s built into the top of the vehicle, creating standing room in the vehicle. It also has a roof basket and a pair of 10-inch IPF LED lights.
Blow Dream Factory
The folks at Blow consider themselves artisans when it comes to customizing small platform vehicles into overlanding works of art. The craftsmanship and use of materials are far above what we typically see in RVs.
Blow Big Mama Rider
Starting with a Toyota Town Ace, artisans at Blow transform it into a beautiful retro transporter. The build process takes 4 months and is priced at ¥6,000,000 (about $38,000).
Inspiration for the body and interior comes from the Ford F1 truck ― a truck that marked the beginning of Ford’s modern approach to truck design, produced from 1948 to 1952. Apparently, the designers at Blow appreciated the original truck’s curves and distinct upright stance. Sea Foam Green, a Ford truck color that harkens back to the early 1950s, serves as the primary color throughout the van.
A peek inside reveals a functioning sink and impeccable fit and finish of the cabin. Offering style and protection is a padded diamond-tuck ceiling liner and side panel. Complementing the retro look is a plywood deck with a veneer finish and aluminum strips.
Blow Jack Rider
The design aesthetic of the Jack Rider build was influenced by the Ford F100. Inside is a cabin that exudes warmth and coziness, using a warm shade of pumpkin color to bind it all together. Lots of oak and walnut pieces, made from real wood, shows off the craftsmanship used to construct the interior.
Kuhl Outroad GR86
TAS is the place to be when setting the tone for the year. It’s like Fashion Week for cars — lots of bling and a who’s who of trend setters. Kuhl Racing, also known as Kuhl Japan, designs and manufactures body kits, wide-body conversions, aero upgrades, and lowered or lifted suspension systems for JDM cars.
This year, they released new widebody kits for the Toyota GR86, Toyota GR Yaris, Honda Civic, fourth-generation Mazda MX-5 ND5 roadster, and Suzuki Jimny Nomad. The raddest of them all is the Outroad GR86.
Want to set up your GR86 as a rally car? The KUHL Outroad GR86 integrates a custom widebody aero kit, a lifted suspension, a big brake kit, and a turbo that boosts power by an additional 50 horsepower. A set of Verz wheels wrapped with Yokohama Geolander A/T completes the transformation. It has a custom conversion that’s on par with aftermarket rally setups for Subaru, Ford, and others.
The GR86 on display is fully decked out with the Outroad widebody kit, steel front and rear skid plates, a roof rack, and 18-inch VERZ forged NEXSUS NEX02 wheels. Tucked behind the wheels painted Sand Black is a Kuhl Racing big brake kit with gold calipers, providing the stopping power.
2026 Toyota RAV4 Adventure
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Adventure, known as the Woodland Edition in the U.S., brings a rugged hybrid SUV experience to Japan, combining off-road styling, Toyota’s fifth-generation hybrid powertrain with E-Four AWD, and the latest advanced technology aimed at adventure-oriented drivers.
Visual cues hinting at the RAV4’s outdoor ambitions are ruggedized front and rear bumpers, a rectangular-shaped grille, vents beneath the headlamps, and 18-inch alloys with the Adventure logo stamped on the center cap. Ride height is increased to 8.5 inches, up from 8.1 inches on ICE-powered RAV4s and standard hybrid trims, improving clearance over obstacles.
A gaggle of camping and organizing accessories on display with the crossover SUV demonstrated its proficiency for car camping.
Gazoo Racing GR GT3 Concept
The GR GT3 Concept is Toyota Gazoo Racing’s (TGR) vision for a new FIA GT3-spec race car. It is being developed alongside the GR GT road car and Lexus LFA Concept.
Attached to Toyota’s first all-aluminum body frame is a potent V8 twin-turbo engine with a rear eight-speed AT/WSC clutch transaxle. The new 4.0L, V8 twin-turbo engine was developed alongside the GT3 Concept. This V8 engine has a short stroke, two turbochargers between the cylinder banks, and dry-sump lubrication.
The GR GT3 Concept has a driver-focused design established by input from master driver Akio Toyoda, professional drivers, and gentleman drivers, to deliver intuitive handling.
In due time, we expect a lot of this tech and performance to crossover to the highly anticipated GR GT sports car.
DAMD Mitsubishi Delica Mini Dali
DAMD is introducing new styling kits for 2026: Dali for the Mitsubishi Delica Mini and Armata for the Suzuki Jimny Nomad. While few would recognize these models in the U.S., the Mitsubishi Delica Mini and Suzuki Jimny are mega-popular everywhere else. The sheer number of Jimnys might have outnumbered the GT-R JDM builds and race cars at the Tokyo Auto Salon show.
Here is what DAMD can do with a versatile platform.
Car Life Auto
Car Life Auto specializes in customizing vans for comfort in addition to its core business of selling new and used Hiace, Nissan, and Toyota vans. The company is also behind the production of Travers — its own line of products for car camping and long road trips.
This year, the company brought a Suzuki Nomade to TAS and showed off its vision of what car camping can be with a small platform. The trim pieces feature real wood and a Southwestern motif. And the rear seat folds flat, so a person can sleep stretched out.
The tailgate has a folding prep table and an accessory rack for hanging your favorite camping gear within easy reach.
Fujitsubo Smith Susuno Camping Accessories
Someone at Fujitsubo came up with a cool idea: produce a line of camping products inspired by the same materials and shapes as its highly renowned exhaust pipes. The SMITH SUSUNO product lineup includes BBQ stoves and steamers, a fire pit, a fire stove, titanium and stainless plates, and titanium tongs with a snakehead pattern.
If the company’s exhaust pipes can heat up to over 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, surely a set of stainless steel pots over a campfire can be just as durable. Plus, you have to admit that having cookware shaped like an exhaust pipe is pretty unique.
Fujitsubo is the most respected performance exhaust manufacturer in Japan and has been producing quality products since 1931. In the 1950s, the company built its brand by producing exhaust systems with an emphasis on power output, craftsmanship, and durability.
Fujitsubo has its own state-of-the-art R&D and testing facility, an in-house dyno, a sound testing laboratory, and a private test track. This level of vertical integration allows them to control every aspect of product development, from sound tuning to flow dynamics to fitment precision.
Fujitsubo Snowkel
For cars buried in the snow, the Snowkel extension pipe prevents carbon monoxide exhaust gases from accumulating under the car and entering the cabin, thereby preventing fatal accidents. Even though it may look like a snorkel, it isn’t intended for water crossings.
Admittedly, the extension pipe isn’t an attractive accessory, but it could save a life. Installation is as simple as clamping or bolting the Snowkel to the original muffler pipe. For those who are image-conscious, the Snowkel is detachable. Removal is usually as simple as unbolting or unclamping it, making it easy to pull off if you decide you don’t like the look or want to sell your car.
Apio x SeaSucker Racks
Some might be familiar with the SeaSucker bike rack — a versatile bike rack that can attach to smooth surfaces without the use of clamps or straps. Its powerful suction cups make it easy to remove bike racks and cargo carriers, rather than leaving them in place, which negatively affects mileage, creates wind noise at highway speeds, and detracts from the car’s beautiful design.
Now the company has teamed up with Apio Incorporated to develop a compact-sized luggage rack. The powder-coated frame will support up to 44 pounds. Because not every panel is perfectly flat, a pivot design was used for the suction cups to allow flexibility when attaching to slightly curved surfaces.
Auto One Camper Honda N-Van
The Honda N-Van is classified as a Japanese Kei car, meaning it has to adhere to strict size regulations, with a standard length of 339.5 cm (approximately 133.7 inches or 11.2 feet), a width of about 147.5 cm (58.1 inches), and a height of around 183.5-194.5 cm (72.2-76.6 inches) depending on the version.
The challenge is maximizing interior space within its tiny footprint. The Honda N-Van Piccolo Smile is the latest build from Auto One Camper. Given the van’s small footprint, everything inside is built for space savings and efficient functionality.
And they meet the challenge by fitting a number of storage cubbies, an HVAC system, a sink with a countertop, and an articulating table. Underneath the flat surfaces is additional storage space. Plus, we think it looks great with its mix of quality materials and wood tones.
Tall people won’t feel cramped on overnight stays since one side of the bed flattens so that a 6-foot person can stretch out comfortably.
Rocky 2 Honda Step WGN (Step Wagon)
The Honda Step WGN is a humble work van that has the potential to blend the efficiency of micro-mobility with the demands of an outdoor lifestyle. The Rocky 2 van conversion on display at the TAS showed how thoughtful, durable, modular interiors can be used daily — not just on weekend trips.
This van conversion featured a fold-flat bed, removable platforms, multi-use seating, storage systems that disappear when not needed, and materials chosen for durability and weight savings.
Rocky 2 is based in Yokohama and sells new and used camper vans, as well as parts. They also have a service department that performs maintenance, repairs, and modifications on camper vans.
It’s obvious that the Step WGN’s conversion fully embodies the minimalist “van life” aesthetic, and connecting with the outdoors is easy. From the looks of things, Rocky 2 presented its precision craftsmanship with flying colors in addition to showing how simplicity over excess can feel just right. Proof that adventure doesn’t require oversized vehicles or six-figure budgets.
O.A.T.s of Motorsports
I spy two racing legends. One of the reasons that the Tokyo Auto Salon is such a highly regarded show is its deep roots in JDM tuning and motorsports culture. And TAS wouldn’t be complete without a few racing celebrities making an appearance.
This year, Honda invited Aguri Suzuki and Keichi Tsuchiya. Don’t recognize the names?
Suzuki-san competed in Formula 1 in the late 80s to mid-90s. One of his biggest successes was a third-place finish at the 1990 Japanese Grand Prix — the first-ever podium finish by a Japanese driver in F1.
Keichi Tsuchiya is a racing legend who pioneered drifting on mountain roads and made it a legitimate racing discipline. Tsuchiya-san is credited with inventing the modern drifting technique and turning it into a real motorsport. His status as a pro driver and street cred across generations of pro racers, grassroots drifters, manufacturers, and motorsport organizers — earned him the “Drift King” moniker.
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