It was still cool, damp and foggy when the first Japanese cars arrived at Motorworld Kemptthal on September 28, 2025. There was no sign of a rising sun. The entire spectrum of Japanese car manufacturing was expected on this day, and newer vehicles were deliberately not excluded.
Slow start
It took a while for the Japanese party to get going. At ten o'clock, the selection of cars was still limited, but then the parking spaces at Motorworld Kemptthal began to fill up.
There were also queues at the entrance, especially when whole groups requested entry. Time and again, clubs and interest groups arrived in groups so that the vehicles could be parked together.
Low average age
Anyone strolling through the lined-up vehicles quickly realized that the "Japanese Car Meeting" was not a typical classic car meeting. Cars built after 2000 were omnipresent, and some vehicles had only recently seen the inside of the factory.
The average age was probably closer to 20 than 40 years. Accordingly, more modern cars such as a Honda Civic Type R, younger-generation Subaru Impreza models and younger Mitsubishi Lancers were also very noticeable.
However, this did not mean that older cars did not also find their way to Kemptthal.
Modifications popular
Original Japanese cars were the exception rather than the rule in Kemptthal.
Films such as "Fast and the Furious" have reignited the tuning culture and anyone who has problems with blue rims or eye-catching paintwork hardly felt at home at Motorworld on September 28, 2025.
Rare Nippon classics
Anyone specifically looking for older cars could find various gems in Kemptthal.
In addition to a whole selection of Datsun 240 Zs, a Honda S800 Coupé freshly resurrected from its 40-year hibernation also arrived.
A Mazda 1200 four-door sedan showed just how small Japanese cars once were.
A Datsun Laurel Coupé demonstrated the influence of American taste on the design of Nippon export hits.
Early Toyota cars documented the breadth of the car range that the successful Japanese carmaker already had in the 1970s.
And, of course, there were also various versions of the Honda NSX, which are quite sought-after today, as well as the Mitsubishi 3000 GT.
A stroll through Motorworld Kemptthal was definitely worthwhile if you wanted to be reminded of the history of Japanese car manufacturing since the 1960s.
The surprisingly young audience (on average) certainly had a good time in this Japanese environment on September 28, 2025.
One can assume that this meeting was certainly not the last of its kind.
The picture gallery accompanying this article provides a further insight into the wide range of vehicles on display in Kemptthal.
