Inside USS Tokyo: Hunting FD3S RX-7s and JDM Luxury at Japan's Biggest Auto Auction

I've only heard of the scale of USS Tokyo, but nevere experience it myself, until now. After a two-hour drive from Shinjuku, I arrived at a parking lot so sprawling that it takes a solid five-minute hike just to reach the front doors. The sheer volume of metal moving through this facility every single week is staggering. It is the kind of environment where you can walk past a row of three Rolls-Royces, stumble upon a pristine BNR32 Skyline GT-R, and find a stripped-out track weapon all in the same aisle.

Welcome to the most dangerous place in the world for a gearhead with an export agent.

The Rotary Hunt: FC3S, FD3S, and Auction Realities

My primary mission for the day? Getting hands-on with some Mazda rotaries to see what the current auction quality looks like.

• The FC3S RX-7: First up was a classic FC. From the outside, it looked promising, complete with RS Watanabe wheels. However, jumping into the driver's seat revealed the harsh reality of buying at auction. The shifter was incredibly loose—an immediate red flag that indicated tired mechanicals. It was a firm "no-go," but it perfectly illustrates why having an agent test the car in person is critical.

• The RE-Amemiya FD3S: Next, I found a heavily modified, widebody FD3S sporting a massive RE-Amemiya aero kit, carbon fiber hood, and rear diffuser. Inside, it was a pure track setup: a full rear seat delete, stripped interior, Defi gauges, a GReddy controller, and a tight bucket seat. After my agent hooked up a jumper battery, the rotary still refused to fire up. Finished in yellow (because everyone secretly wants that Keisuke Takahashi Initial D vibe), it was still a no-go!

The JDM Family Hauler Dilemma

While my heart is always in 90s sports cars, my practical side was actively hunting for a comfortable JDM family hauler to eventually bring back home to Canada. The Japanese minivan market is simply in a league of its own.

• Toyota Alphard / Vellfire: I had to sit in the newer Alphard to experience the hype, and the luxury is unmatched. The visibility is fantastic, but the real magic is in the back. The second-row captain's chairs are basically first-class airline seats, complete with loads of controls, moonroofs, and privacy shades. The heartbreak? Due to Canada's 15-year import rule, I will be waiting a long time before I can legally park this specific generation in an Ontario driveway.

• Honda Stepwgn: As a more immediate and realistic candidate, I checked out a Honda Stepwgn. It is slightly narrower than the Alphard but still features three rows of seating and a massive amount of cargo space once the third row is folded flat. At just a few thousand Canadian dollars at auction, it represents an incredible value proposition for a unique, highly functional daily driver.

The USS Tokyo Experience

Walking the aisles of USS Tokyo is an exercise in self-control. Between pristine Grade 4.5 S15 Silvias, battle-scarred S14s, and quirky finds like a GR-styled Toyota iQ, it is incredibly tempting to just start bidding.

Experience the sheer scale of the auction, hear the test starts, and watch my agent conduct a live inspection in the latest Daikoku Legends vlog below:

Let me know in the comments: If you had a blank check and a shipping container waiting at USS Tokyo, what chassis are you bringing home?