JDM Heaven: Inside the World’s Largest Up Garage (Machida Chief Store)

If you are a car enthusiast visiting Japan, you probably have a list of shrines to visit: Daikoku PA, the Nissan Heritage Collection, and maybe a few tuners. But if you actually own a JDM car and want to see the literal treasure chest of the culture, you have to go to Up Garage Machida.

This is the "Chief Store," and it is absolutely massive—three levels of automotive and moto gear that will make any North American builder weep at the price tags [00:55].

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gj9BcaL7f9E

The Wheel Section: Every Legend is Here

The first thing that hits you is the sheer volume of wheels. I'm talking rows of Work Emotion 37R, RS Watanabes [02:01], and of course, TE37s [02:10].

• The "Jealousy" Factor: I saw a set of used wheels with tires for less than $500 CAD [01:24]. Even a set of high-end wheels that would fit my M3 was listed for less than $3,000 CAD [02:31]. In Toronto, you’d be lucky to find the rims alone for that price.

Surprises on the Top Floor: Moto Gear

I didn't expect to find such a huge selection of motorcycle gear [03:04]. From full riding suits to helmets and saddlebags, the prices were mind-blowing. I spotted an Alpine Stars jacket for roughly $50 CAD [06:08]. Even though I don't ride much anymore, seeing a jacket I used to own listed for essentially $10 USD was a surreal experience [04:50].

The Hunt for R32 and DC2 Parts

The main reason for the visit was to see what I could find for the R32 Skyline GTR and the Integra Type R DC2.

• Mechanical Treasure: They have everything from full transmissions [08:09] to HKS Hipermax coilovers for the 86 [07:13].

• The Seat Gallery: The selection of Bride and Recaro seats was dangerous for my wallet [13:55]. I saw a Bride Low Max bucket seat (Zieg IV) for just over $1,000 CAD [14:15].

• The Muffler Find: I stumbled upon a Mugen Sport Exhaust for the DC2 and DC5 [15:54]. It’s a legendary piece of engineering with that unique pipe-through-muffler design. I also found a Fujitsubo full titanium exhaust for the BNR32 in incredible condition [16:41].

Final Thoughts: Suitcase Space is the Only Limit

The hardest part about Up Garage isn't finding something you want—it's figuring out how to get it home. Whether it's a Brembo brake kit from an R35 that fits a Z33 [10:48] or an RX-7 oil cooler for $30 [10:14], the value is undeniable.

If you’re the kind of person who needs to "touch and feel" the parts before you buy, there is no place on earth like Machida. Just make sure you bring an extra suitcase—or two.