Supercars At Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

The Japanese metropolis of Kyoto is greatest recognized for its historic temples, shrines and royal palaces. There additionally occurs to be an enormous traditional and customized automobile scene in wider Kyoto Prefecture. If solely there was a approach to mix the 2…

Effectively, there’s. In case you’re a fan of somewhat religious refreshment and the occasional sensory awakening, the Sports activities Automobile Heritage Gathering & Parade delivers.

Held on the grounds of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, which was initially inbuilt 947, round 50 automobiles parked up and puzzled quite a lot of passing vacationers final weekend.

I hoped the automobiles could be parked in the primary courtyard of the shrine, however I imagine entry was restricted and the automobiles wouldn’t have really been in a position to drive in. I’ve seen different automobile occasions at Japanese temples – the RWB New 12 months Celebration is one which involves thoughts – however contemplating that is the primary shrine for this explicit sect of the Shinto faith, the custodians right here could not have wished dozens of V12s kicking up mud and inflicting a disturbance.

So, the automobiles have been lined up simply outdoors the holy place of worship, the place the slender house quickly turned full of individuals praising a really completely different sort of spirit.

There have been some actual gems on show, and most introduced in close to concours situation. The standouts for me included a full carbon Dalara Stradale, not one however two TVRs, and the Gumpert Apollo pictured under.

You may also discover an abundance of Lamborghinis, and that’s as a result of this 12 months marks the sixtieth anniversary of supercars from Sant’Agata. Actually, final month a Guinness World Report was damaged proper right here in Japan when greater than 250 traditional and trendy Lamborghinis assembled at Suzuka Circuit to have a good time. That’s probably the most Golden Bulls in a single place ever.

On the finish of the occasion the group paraded via the native streets to obtain omiyage (regionally made memento sweets) for his or her participation. As house freed up across the automobiles, I ran again to seize a lot of the pictures for this story.

However this wasn’t my sole motive for touring to Kyoto. Are you able to guess what’s coming subsequent?

Till my subsequent story drops on Speedhunters, there’s much more from the 2023 Sports activities Automobile Heritage Gathering & Parade to take a look at under.

Toby Thyer
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