By all accounts, Japan has long been a paradise for car enthusiasts. But since the country reopened to tourism post-pandemic, the passion and curiosity surrounding its legendary car culture have reached a fever pitch. The streets, the touge, the high-speed expressways—each one echoes with the rumble of JDM lore. Yet for travelers looking to go beyond just spotting a few Skylines at Daikoku PA, one company has crafted an experience that’s more than just a sightseeing tour—it’s a full immersion into Japanese performance motoring.
Introducing Drivers Lounge: Where Passion Meets the Pavement
Drivers Lounge, a newly established car rental company just outside Tokyo, is not your typical car hire service. Rather than simply handing over keys and pointing at a map, the team—led by genuine motorsport enthusiasts—curates an entire day built around the spirit of driving. Their concept is simple yet revolutionary: drive not one, but up to eight different performance cars in a single day, each chosen to highlight a different corner of Japan’s diverse automotive culture.
Upon arriving at their Noborito headquarters, guests are welcomed into a stylish upstairs lounge—complete with Best Motoring episodes on the screen and Initial D manga scattered around for mood-setting. Clement, the company’s founder, is a veteran racer himself, and his passion for engaging, well-balanced performance machines is obvious in the carefully curated fleet.
The Lineup: A Mechanical Symphony in Eight Parts
The collection at Drivers Lounge spans drivetrain layouts, engine types, and driving styles. The all-wheel-drive camp is well-represented with a ferocious R35 GT-R, a razor-sharp Lancer Evo X, and the pocket-rocket Toyota GR Yaris. For rear-wheel drive thrills, there’s the A90 Supra and a unique Spoon-tuned Honda S660. Meanwhile, the front-wheel-drive squad includes a DC5 Honda Integra Type R and a Monster Sports-tuned Suzuki Alto Works.
Each car comes lightly or moderately modified—nothing outlandish, but just enough to elevate the driving experience: performance tires, upgraded suspensions, aftermarket exhausts, and in one case, a full roll cage.
But what really sets the Drivers Lounge experience apart is the car swap system. Instead of spending the entire day in just one vehicle, guests are encouraged to change cars multiple times. This makes it not just a drive, but an education in car dynamics, personality, and performance.
A Route Through Automotive Dreams
Our journey that day took us from Tokyo to the iconic Hakone region—a driver’s paradise carved into the volcanic mountains. The tour chosen was the seven-hour “Hakone Experience,” which promised high-altitude passes, sweeping mountain turns, and more than enough time behind the wheel.
After setting out in a convoy (each car equipped with walkie-talkies for coordination), we cruised down the Tomei Expressway and headed toward the legendary Hakone Turnpike. My first stint was in the GR Yaris, a car that continues to surprise with its rally-inspired grip, quick response, and the ability to shift from city car to mountain slayer in an instant.
Lunch came courtesy of a classic 7-Eleven pitstop, and soon after, the driving truly began. From the base of the Turnpike, I swapped into the Spoon S660—a mid-engine kei car that, despite its modest power, danced through corners like it was born for them. The tiny turbocharged engine screamed as we climbed higher, and its hilarious momentum-based handling style had me laughing through the corners.
Fuji, Front-Drivers, and Familiar Favorites
At the summit, Mt. Fuji made a cinematic appearance—every JDM lover’s dream backdrop. We took a moment to switch cars again. I slid into the Monster Alto Works, which had a completely different vibe. Its tall seating position and torque-heavy delivery felt more like a rally stage warrior, and the contrast was striking.
Next came the DC5 Type R. I hadn’t driven one in two decades, and it immediately reminded me of why it earned its cult following. The high-revving NA VTEC engine begged to be pushed, and the lightweight chassis responded with playful agility. Where the turbo cars surged forward with torque, the DC5 danced, demanding driver engagement.
As we wound our way onto the Ashinoko Skyline, the views changed—new vistas of Fuji, new photo ops, and more cars to try. It was time for the Lancer Evolutions. First, the Evo VI—a throwback to WRC glory. Its analog, raw feel was intoxicating. Then the Evo X, with its twin-clutch SST gearbox, offered a more modern, refined approach to performance. Less visceral perhaps, but impressively capable.
The Grand Finale: Supra & GT-R on Sacred Asphalt
From Ashinoko, a tighter touge road took us to Lake Ashi’s quiet edge, the perfect pause before the final stretch. For the climb back up to Mt. Taikan, I jumped into the A90 Supra. Despite its controversial BMW DNA, the car impressed with its effortless cruising ability—more GT than raw sports car, but still massively competent.
Finally, the R35 GT-R. A car I’ve driven in more forms than I can count, yet every time it still manages to feel like a force of nature. On the twisting Tsubaki Line, it devoured each corner with brute strength and uncanny grip. Eighteen years after its release, it remains a symbol of modern JDM muscle.
A Masterclass in Driving Emotion
By the time the sun dipped below the horizon and we gathered at 1000 meters above sea level for one final photo, I had driven eight cars and covered every major drivetrain layout. More importantly, I had felt the soul of Japanese driving—from the playful to the powerful, the precise to the unpredictable.
The day with Drivers Lounge wasn’t just a rental tour—it was an automotive tasting menu, each course richer than the last. For anyone visiting Japan with even a passing interest in cars, it’s hard to imagine a better way to experience the nation’s deep-rooted car culture.
With their mix of performance, passion, and professionalism, Drivers Lounge has crafted something rare: a memory-making machine as powerful as the cars they lend.
