Last year, I pretty much figured I'd seen Japan for the last time--at least for quite a while. Getting the opportunity to attend Mooneyes' show in Yokohama for three years in a row is a treat any true enthusiast, let alone journalist type, is blessed to have. Earlier last summer, the folks at Moon asked me if I could arrange for Jesse James to attend the 2003 Hot Rod & Custom Show, and if so, would I like to accompany him? Hmmmm...I had to think about that for a minute--barely a minute. The easy part was saying yes to going; it wouldn't be so easy getting Jesse to agree, but as you can see, I met with some success!

But, Jesse wasn't the only guest going to the show. For his third appearance in a row, Pete Chapouris made the overseas trek with the SO-CAL Speed Shop '32 roadster; Jason Slover from Pete & Jake's accompanied the original "California Kid" '34 coupe; Gene Winfield actually drove down the Japanese coast with a crew of customizers from Wheels Unlimited with "Purple Haze" (a '53 Buick he built); and last-minute attendees George Barris and designer Larry Wood manned the Hot Wheels 35th Anniversary booth. That's a downright mean lineup for any American show, but in Yokohama, Japan? The locals were definitely in for a treat!

So, as in years past, we departed the States on Thanksgiving Day, which of course provided a feast only our cherished friendly skies crew persons could offer! Suffice it to say, sacrificing a little home-cooked meal for what lay ahead was definitely worth it. Well, due to the time difference, jet stream, what have you, we did not arrive at Narita International Airport until late Friday afternoon. Following, was a comfy two-hour bus ride through Tokyo and into Yokohama. After almost 11 hours in the air plus the aforementioned trip into town, we were a little less than ready to see the sights quite yet! The following day, we watched as everyone hustled to get ready for the show on Sunday. It's pretty awesome watching the various people set up their booths and displays--they have so much passion for a hobby that's somewhat "foreign" to them!

Well, Sunday finally rolled around and, as expected, once the doors opened at 9 a.m. sharp, it seemed as if the entire population of Yokohama rolled into the Pacifico despite the storm that loomed outside! Good thing I got all my pics an hour or so beforehand, as it would have been impossible to shoot anything other than the crowd from that point on! Rather than seeking refuge from the weather, it may have been the nearly 200 motorcycles (most of which were Harley derivative) mixed in with the vast selection of hot rods, customs, and wide range of domestics (the "foreign" cars to us) that drew the people in. Moon had set up tables for Winfield, Chapouris, and Slover to sign autographs and sell wares, same for Jesse. But he decided he wanted to take his daughter to go ride the roller coaster across the street, so I went with! When we came back--after a short detour at the mega-mall--Jesse pulled up a chair at the table next to his bike (the "copper" bike featured in Men's Journal), and you'd of thought Elvis was in the house! Anybody and everybody with something to be signed hoarded around with little to no regard for the welfare of others.

Soon after the autograph mayhem, it was awards time and, as usual, I was asked to make two picks (one for CUSTOM RODDER and one for Street Rodder). I wasn't so anxious to get up in front of everybody to speak, even though the majority of people on hand wouldn't understand a word I said! To Chapouris' dismay, I chose a pretty radical '60 Ford Starliner (see photo) for the CR Pick, but my other pick--Paradise Road's latest incarnation of "Rod"riguez--was shared by both striper Herb Martinez and Gene Winfield, so I left the speeches to them!

While everybody was busy packing up the show, we whisked over to Area 51 and the Moon Cafe for some good old down-home cookin'--chilidogs! While the others were hanging around till Wednesday, we were heading back the following morning, so that was the only time we had to sample the "exotic" cuisine and spend our last yen on Moon goodies.

Despite the short stay and less-than-perfect weather (a typhoon actually came through Yokohama!), all in all it was another memorable and enjoyable trip to Japan. As usual, I'd like to thank everyone at Mooneyes, especially Shige Suganuma, that made it all possible!