UJOS (“USDM JDM Only Shonan”) Society is a group in Japan that has a huge interest for US-styled (Hawaii specifically) cars and culture.  It’s apparent when you see cars in Japan running Hawaii license-plates and frames, Hawaii safety check stickers, and various local brand stickers like In4mation, HI-Life, JSPIRIT, and HRDLCK to name a few.  Usually when something is “styled” it normally doesn’t stand up to the quality or standards that the “style” is trying to replicate… well this is a case where it’s possible that a “style” can become comparable or possibly be even better than the original thing.

The crew decided to have a night meet in Gotemba, near Mt. Fuji, at Ashigara Parking Area on the Tomei Expressway. Packs of cars rolled in throughout the night, it seemed as though other car clubs had heard about the meet as many VIP, Euro, and other Japan drift/tuner cars showed up as well. It was difficult trying to stay focused with all the cars rolling through the huge parking lot. The wind chill and freezing temperatures also didn’t help trying to shoot with gloves on.

Japanese enthusiasts definitely know how to style their cars appropriately without taking away from their initial focus on the “Hawaii” theme.  I can honestly say that I have never seen so many clean pre-00’s era Hondas sitting in one lot, with the styling of a typical Honda build rolling through the streets of Kalihi, Waipahu, Ewa, Waianae, Kahuku, etc.  If you’re from those areas in Hawaii, don’t take offense to the last sentence, you probably understand why I named those cities for the stereotypes that are pretty obvious for the type of cars that roll through those areas.  Well, this is what the Japanese enthusiasts consider “Hawaii-style.”

It threw me off how well they adopted this style and turned it into their own to build up quality, clean, slammed, perfectly-fitted rides.  Would you have ever thought this style would become a centerpiece in the Honda scene and culture in Japan?  As I stated many times before, there’s no limit in Japan…  If it rolls, it’s fair game.  Name any unpopular platform, they’ll build it into something controversial, good or bad, just to inspire people to think outside the box.  Enjoy the shots, till another UJOS Society meet happens, I can only hope to see more of these cars like these rolling around.

*There are a few cars I left out of the feature that will eventually be posted separately. Keep your eyes peeled on the main photo stream for more updates.