Let's define what JDM means before discussing the best Japanese car gifts available. It means Japanese Domestic Market, which makes things a little tricky in our car gift guide series. And because we don't want to risk confusing the term with cars that were available outside of Japan and so on, we'll only use it when appropriate.
Luckily though, the level of Japanese car gifts available is far and wide. Given the widespread popularity of drift, stance, and Gran Turismo culture, the popularity of the scene really speaks for itself.
The imports of Japanese cars was controversial at first, but us petrolheads eventually grew a strong hankering for them. The first one to be sold in the UK was the humble little Daihatsu Compagno in 1965 before models from the likes of Toyota, Datsun, and Mazda began to make their way over. Like the Germans such as BMW and subsequent gifts, the cars and the subsequent Japanese car gifts began to grow.
Best Japanese car gifts at a glance:
Editor's pick: Tomica 1:64 Mitsuoka Orochi - Buy from Amazon.
Best Mazda book: Mazda Rotary-Engined Cars - Buy from Amazon.
Best Japanese car hoodie: Toyota 2000GT hoodie - Buy from Teepublic.
CAR Magazine even pitted a Bertone Mazda 1500 against a Fiat 125 in our May 1968 issue, and said that we would 'ignore the Japanese advance at our peril'. How quickly the tide turned there! But nevertheless, our love for Japanese cars grew from strength to strength by the 1990s, creating more enthusiasm for cars and subsequenltly more gifts for younger petrolheads. And with things like Gran Turismo at our disposal, Japanese car gifts would become embedded in our hearts too.
The best Japanese car gifts
Editor's pick
Via TomicaKicking off with a real unicorn, the Mitsuoka Orochi was originally meant to be based on the Honda NSX platform. However, once production of the NSX ended, the quirky marque had to use its own platform for the bizarre sports car.
It used the same 3.3-litre V6 that you got in a Toyota Camry. It only made 230bhp and that power was driven through a 5-speed automatic transmission. It did 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds and its top speed was limited to 112mph (Japanese regulations). If you think that sounds poor, it was.
However, those into their quirky and unusual cars will appreciate this 1:64 scale model of the hand built unicorn. You just better hope they like the styling of it.
Pros
- Excellent detail and quality for a 1:64 scale car
- Replica of a fascinating Japanese car
Cons
- You better hope the gift recipient likes the styling
Best JDM model kit
Via TamiyaAt the tail end of the R34 Nissan Skyline GTR's production, just 20 examples were built in Z-Tune form. The engines were expanded from 2.6 to 2.8 litres, produced 493bhp, and were all hand-built. Effectively, they were racing cars for the road.
Most were sold in Japan, but as with a lot of limited JDM monsters, collectors all over the globe swept them up. Luckily, you can hand-build one yourself in Tamiya form. You don't get a used GTR to begin with unlike Nismo did at the time, but with fine detail and good build quality, you can be pleased with yourself once you've finished it.
Pros
- Amazing detail, as per Tamiya products
- A model of a rare car with lots of heritage
Cons
- This is likely the closest you'll get to seeing a real Z-Tune
Best 300ZX model kit
Via TamiyaGiven that Tamiya is a Japanese brand, it would be fairly rude not to include another. The Nissan 300ZX followed a lengthy line of Nissan/Datsun sports cars from the Sports 1000 of 1959 to the Z cars that became familiar with the rest of the globe.
The 300ZX was the peak of the generational line up before being replaced by the softer, tamer 350Z. And you can celebrate the 90s sports car by building one yourself and appreciating those sleek lines and Targa top.
Pros
- Accurate detail
- Great quality kit
Cons
- Liable to beginning Tamiya addictions...
Best interesting JDM gift
Via TamiyaOkay promise, this is the last Tamiya. But it's worth throwing on because the branding of this RX-7 is quite interesting. You'll notice throughout that there aren't any Mazda badges.
That's because Efini was launched as a luxury arm under Mazda in response to Infiniti and Lexus, but only sold in the Japanese market. Whilst it wasn't successful, Efini did rebadge the agile little rotary sports car in a weird attempt to bring it upmarket. Efini rebadged other cars too such as the Mazda 626, the Sentia, and even made its own unique model, the MS-8.
The Citroen Xantia and XM were also sold through Efini dealerships too, interestingly.
Pros
- Fascinating bit of history
- A great build with great detail
Cons
- It's barely any different from a regular Tamiya Mazda RX-7
Best Japanese car poster
Via Etsywww.etsy.com
The NSX has gone down in history as one of the world's great sports cars. At a time when supercars like the Lamborghini Countach and Ferrari 512TR were borderline unusable on the road, Honda happily obliged and gave us the everyday hero.
This poster encapsulates the evolution of Honda's revolutionary vehicle and includes side profiles of the early cars, the facelift and the second generation unveiled in 2016. The only thing is it missing is the facelift of the second-gen.
Pros
- Lovely evolution print of NSX
- Will look great on any NSX fan's wall
Cons
- Doesn't include second gen facelift
Best Japanese car hoodie
Via Teepublicwww.teepublic.com
A project dreamt up by Yamaha and originally intended to partner with Nissan, the latter pulled out and the project was given to Toyota. The 2000GT was Japan's answer to evocative sports cars like the E-Type Jag and Chevrolet Corvette.
It was certainly inspired by the like but used a far more efficient powertrain. A 2.0-litre twin cam straight six making 150bhp. It was a racy, agile little car that was made famous in the Bond film, You Only Live Twice. The two convertibles made were only unique to the film as the 6 ft 2 Sean Connery struggled to fit properly inside the hardtop.
Just 351 examples were ever made and you can celebrate the Japanese icon by embracing this fabulous hoodie. It would've been nice to get a white option to match the car, but the colours available are decent.
Pros
- Great hoodie
- Nice print of a beautiful car
Cons
- Isn't available in white
Best Japanese racing car mug
Via Etsywww.etsy.com
If there's an ad for Castrol, this is it. The TOM'S (Tachi Oiwa Motor Sports) Toyota Supra is one of the most recognisable cars from the Super GT series in Japan. It also contributed to establishing the GT500 class which is still an ongoing division on Japanese tracks today.
This stylish mug celebrates the iconography of the TOM'S Supra. It comes with a race-weathered effect and has all the colours and sponsorship of the car that dominated Japanese circuits in the 1990s.
Pros
- Seriously cool print
- Race worn effect
Cons
- It would've been nice to have an outline of the car
The best Japanese car backpack
Via Etsywww.etsy.com
Have you ever dreamt of being thrown sideways in some kind of Japanese drift missile on a mountain road? Have you ever thought that normal seatbelts are too casual?
Then good news, because you can (almost) imagine yourself doing just that on your walkabouts. The bag straps replicate racing harnesses, so on your weekly shop to Tesco, you can add a bit of drama when you inevitably begin drifting the trolley.
Pros
- Harnesses as bag straps
- Pretty cool design
Cons
- Some may find it a bit tragic
Best Nissan Z book
Via MotorbooksIf ever you need to be clued up about Japan's most influential sports car, this comprehensive history book has it all. From the revolutionary Datsun 240Z which helped put Japanese cars on the map to the latest Nissan Z of today which continues that legacy.
Packed with lovely photos, racing history, and all the technical details, this is a bible for any Nissan/Datsun Z enthusiast or owner.
Pros
- Very comprehensive history book
- Contains great imagery and context
Cons
- Publish date hinders information on the new Z slightly
best Mazda book
Via VeloceIf any brand is completely synonymous with the Wankel Rotary engine, it's Mazda. NSU might've introduced it, but Mazda popularised the technology beginning with the Cosmo L10A in 1967.
Production ran throughout many great cars including the RX2, RX3, various Cosmos and even a rebadged Holden Kingswood called the Roadpacer. This book details it all the way up to the RX8.
This is a great gift for anyone with a desire for triangular-shaped engines, and it covers an interesting corner of unconventional automotive engineering.
Pros
- Very comprehensive history of rotary Mazdas
- Full of great photography
Cons
- It is for a niche audience
Why do we love Japanese cars?
In regard to the proper JDM machines, there's a forbidden fruit aspect. A lot of the special edition Japanese cars simply weren't available outside of the land of the rising sun, creating a demand for things like Subaru-related gifts. This effectively protecting their mysteriousness whilst increasing our desire for them.
This is the case for a lot of the older Japanese cars as well. Stuff like Isuzu Bellet GTRs had to be imported by enthusiasts if they really wanted them. However, Japanese cars that were readily available across the globe (not strictly JDM) became enormously popular. Anything from MX5s to Nissan GTRs, we can't help but love the level of performance, reliability and tunability that such things offer. The Japanese car scene, along with many of its different aspects, really does speak for itself. Suddenly you begin to realise why Japanese car gifts are so popular. They represent a simpler, more cultural scene than a brand like Mercedes Benz and subsequent gifts.
What's the coolest Japanese car?
We probably have to go with the original Skyline 2000 GTR (C10) - otherwise known as the 'Hakosuka'. It may not appear in many classic car books, but boy was it cool.
What about the worst?
Has to be the Nissan Juke, surely?
Aaron Hussain is a commercial content writer at Bauer Media writing for Parkers and CAR. He is obsessed with classic cars and anything with a fascinating story to tell.