May 2026: Golden Week = Golden Month for Car Lovers

May in Japan is a dream for any car enthusiast! As spring blossoms into early summer, the weather is fantastic, roads are inviting, and the calendar explodes with automotive action. From mountain passes to urban meets, the Land of the Rising Sun becomes a petrolhead paradise. This May 2026 alone, a staggering 75 unique car events are slated across the archipelago, offering everything from vintage festivals to high-octane racing. We expect more events to be added in the upcoming days. As an example, one month ago we mentioned 65 events in our blog for April. At last count, April now has a mind boggling 118 events! Our Discover JDM IOS and Android apps have a Pro version that sends you notifications when a new event is added. Please check it out!

May is the month when Drift Matsuri is held at Ebisu Circuit on May 9-10, two days of intense drift action including rare night drifts at a circuit. As the days get longer and the temperature rises, the number of massive events grows as well! There are over 10 events featuring more than 150 cars, including the 1,500 car Toyota/Lexus TOYOFEST JAPAN at Fuji Speedway on May 30.

Near Tokyo:

May 3 | 08:30 - 11:45 - Sakura Morning Cruise (@ Gongendo No. 4 Park P1 parking A,B block): Monthly open format car meet at a park north of Tokyo, attracting 200-300 cars.

May 4 | 06:00 - 12:30 - Syowakai Track Day in Sodegaura Forest Raceway (@ Sodegaura Forest Raceway): Track day for 70s-80s JDM cars south of Tokyo.

May 10 | 10:00 - 15:00 - 7th Kitamoto HEY WORLD!! Showa/Heisei Classic Car Festival (@ HEY WORLD!! rooftop parking): 1946-2000 classic car/swap meet at a shopping mall rooftop (200 cars).

May 16 | 11:00 - 20:00, May 17 | 10:00 - 16:00 - Let’s Chill Out！2026 @Gongendo Park (@ Gongendo No. 2 Park): Chill outdoor event with camping and USDM, Euro, and JDM classic cars.

May 17 | - Koedo Kawagoe Street Corner Motor Gallery (@ Taisho Roman Yume-dori): Pre-1976 classic and pre-1986 rally car meet in a historical quarter (100 cars).

May 24 | 09:00 - 15:00 - 38th Mooneyes Street Car Nationals (@ Odaiba Aomi District R): Iconic Mooneyes custom car show in Tokyo Odaiba with 1000+ cars, swap meet, and food trucks.

May 24 | 10:00 - 15:00 - Showa, Heisei, Small Car Exhibition in Agri Park Yumesugito (@ Road Station Agri Park Yumesugito): 1946-2000 car meet at a roadside station north of Tokyo (200 cars).

Near Osaka:

May 10 | 10:00 - 14:00 - 2nd Higashi-Honganji Supercar Fes (@ Ohigashisan Square): Rare supercar meet in Kyoto, minutes from Kyoto Station (60 cars).

May 10 | 08:30 - 12:00 - Good Morning Pearl Road (Ohapaa) (@ Toba Observation Point parking lot): Casual monthly car meet at a scenic touge observation point in Mie Prefecture.

May 24 | - Stancenation JAPAN 2026 OSAKA (@ Izumiotsu Phoenix Multipurpose Field): Large stanced car meet hosted by Stance magazine south of Osaka.

Notable Big Events:

May 2-3 | 10:00 - 16:00 - Gulf Nagano Nostalgic Car Festival 2026 (@ M-Wave): Large festival for pre-1991 vintage cars, parade runs, and photoshoots, featuring 450 cars.

May 5 | - All Fairlady Z Meeting 2026 (@ Fuji Speedway): A massive gathering of Nissan Z cars at Fuji Speedway, typically attracting several hundred vehicles.

May 9-10 | - Drift Matsuri (Spring) (@ Ebisu Circuit): A massive drift track day at Ebisu Circuit utilizing all tracks, including rare night runs, with over 200 cars participating.

May 9 | 09:00 - 18:30 - Honda All Type R Meeting (@ Mobility Resort Motegi): A colossal gathering of 600 Honda Type R cars at Motegi Circuit, featuring track experiences, parade runs, and special guests like Tsuchiya Keiichi.

May 17 | 09:00 - 14:00 - Michinoku Retrocars Session Miyagi Zao 2026 (@ Miyagi Zao Shiroishi Ski Resort): A substantial old car meet at a ski resort, featuring 200+ cars, food trucks, and a swap meet.

May 24 | 09:00 - 16:30 - TOP STYLE CUP 30th stage (@ Nadasaki Lakeside Park): An extensive concours showcasing 350 VIP, minivan, Euro, sportscar, supercar, and kei cars.

May 24 | 10:00 - 15:30 - Vintage Car Festival Toyohashi (@ Toyohashi Industry Human Resources Development Center): A pre-1973 vintage car meet with test drives, food trucks, and music, expecting 200+ cars.

May 24 | 09:30 - 15:00 - West Aizu Nostalgic Car Show 2026 (@ Sayuri Koen Tamokuteki Park): A large show for pre-1991 vintage cars and modern supercars, with 250 cars on display.

May 30 | - TOYOFEST JAPAN 2026 (@ Fuji Speedway): An immense Toyota/Lexus car meet at Fuji Speedway, potentially featuring 1500+ cars.

May 31 | - GALERIE2026 (@ Convex Okayama): A large-scale open format car show featuring several hundred vehicles, model photoshoots, and music.

May 31 | 10:00 - 16:00 - 5th Mt. Fuji Automobile Exposition (@ Mt. Fuji parking): A grand vintage car & bike meet near FujiQ Highland, boasting 500 cars, merch booths, and food trucks.

May 31 | 09:00 - 15:00 - CROSSFIVE CUSTOM CAR SHOW (@ Fukude Fishing Port): A gathering of 150 USDM custom cars at a scenic fishing port.

Travel Tips:

• Transportation: Japan’s public transport is excellent, but for reaching more remote car meets or track days, renting a car is highly recommended. Ensure you have an International Driving Permit. TSJapanTours offers interpreted/guides tours to car meets and events within a 100km radius of Tokyo. For other regions, consider a car rental to go to one of these meets.
• Weather: May offers pleasant temperatures, but prepare for varied conditions. Bring layers, as mornings can be cool and afternoons warm. Don't forget sunscreen and a hat for outdoor events. Southern parts of Japan may see the start of the rainy season at the tail end of May.
• Food & Drink: Most larger events will have food trucks and vendors. Try to buy something from them to support the organizers.
• Etiquette: Japanese car culture values respect. Be mindful of parking rules, keep noise levels down at residential meets, and always ask before touching cars or taking close-up photos of owners.
• Booking: For major races or popular events, book tickets and accommodations well in advance, especially if they are near popular tourist destinations like Fuji Speedway or Suzuka Circuit.
• Golden Week: May 4-6 are Golden Week holidays in Japan. Expect larger crowds at venues and public transportation. You can also expect more cars on these days at carspotting locations like Daikoku PA or Gingko Street compared to a regular Monday-Wednesday. We offer tours to Daikoku PA too!

Final Summary:

Already been to Daikoku Parking Area or want to see the real JDM car culture? From iconic racing showdowns to intimate classic car gatherings and wild drift extravaganzas, May 2026 promises an unforgettable journey through Japan's vibrant car culture. With 75 events to choose from, there's truly something for every kind of enthusiast. So, pack your bags, prepare your camera, and get ready to experience the best of automotive Japan!