Official Ambassador
Sayaka Shimoda
The project's official ambassador is professional drift driver Sayaka Shimoda,
She supports publicity and PR activities.
She also serves as Tourism Ambassador both for Annaka City and for Shibukawa City, pilgrimage sites for the Initial D manga and anime.both in Gunma (the drift ride-along experience itself is run by ORIGAMIJDM).
"This tour is funded by the Japan Tourism Agency."
This project is developed by the Akihabara Tourism Promotion Association with official support from the Japan Tourism Agency (Government of Japan). As a result, we are able to offer this 4-day all-inclusive experience at a special exclusive price for 2026.
— only 32 seats in total. We're opening four brand-new routes from Akihabara to Gunma, and you can be one of the first to ride them. Each departure is capped at 8 guests, and seats go first-come, first-served.
Partner Tour Overview & Belle Salle Akihabara Event Plan
Touge JDM premium Quest: Akihabara to GUNMA
¥200,000 per person（About $1,300） — 4 days / 3 nights, all-inclusive.
Included: 3 nights' accommodation (2 at a hot-spring ryokan), meals as listed, private HiAce transport, English-speaking guide, drift ride-along, all entry fees.
Not included: flights, Day 4 free-time costs, personal expenses.
(Nov 16–19, 2026)
JDM Drift Tour from Tokyo with ALBO: Akihabara to Gunma
Ride shotgun in an ORIGAMIJDM demo car as it slides through Gunma Cycle Sports Center. Then trace the Usui Pass hairpins you've seen a hundred times on screen and unwind in Ikaho's "golden" hot springs. Hosted with ALBO, the JDM YouTuber behind JDMX.
Best for: drift fans who want the full touge story.
(Nov 21–24, 2026)
Rally Tour from Tokyo: All Japan Championship, Gunma
See Japan's top rally crews attack a live stage of the JAF All Japan Rally Championship in Annaka — and meet professional drift driver Sayaka Shimoda in person on rally day. A once-a-year chance most foreign visitors never even hear about.
Best for: motorsport fans.
(Dec 1–4, 2026)
JDM Drift Tour from Tokyo: Akihabara and Gunma Passes
Same legendary route, different crew: ride along with a professional drift driver at Gunma Cycle Sports Center, explore the Usui Pass pilgrimage sites, and finish with a yakatabune dinner cruise on Tokyo Bay.
Best for: travelers visiting Japan in early December.
WHY WE BUILT THIS TOUR
Why we built this: Akihabara is where the world discovers Japanese pop culture. But the mountain roads that made JDM legendary are two hours north, in Gunma. Most visitors never make it there — getting around without a car, a guide and local connections is nearly impossible. So we built the bridge.
Purpose
Discover it in Akihabara. Live it in Gunma.
Regional tourism driven by
JDM culture
Build a circulation model that channels the ‘passions’ of Akihabara visitors out to regions with automotive-culture ties.
Partnership with the Shibukawa
Annaka JDM Promotion
Collaborate with the Shibukawa/Annaka JDM Promotion to plan a regional tour connecting Akihabara and Gunma Prefecture.
A new appeal for Akihabara
Add ‘a hub for car culture’ as a new value proposition for Akihabara through JDM vehicle displays and events
STEP
“Create the entry point in Akihabara. Experience JDM in Gunma.”
01 Know & Discover
Akihabara Events
Regular JDM vehicle displays and corporate booths at Belle Salle Akihabara's open plaza
02 Experience & Broadcast
Tokyo Comic Con 2026
A booth presence spreading word of AKIBA JDM PROJECT and the Gunma partner tour, domestically and internationally
03 Circulate & Send Visitors
Gunma (Shibukawa & Annaka)
A regional tour experiencing JDM culture, run in partnership with the Shibukawa/Annaka JDM Promotion
Call for Partners & Exhibitors
AKIBA JDM PROJECT is a tourism initiative that starts in Akihabara and uses JDM car culture to guide fans from Japan and around the world to regional Japan. We are inviting companies and organizations involved
1. Exhibition Booths
Regular JDM vehicle displays and corporate booths at Belle Salle Akihabara's open plaza
3. Talk Event Speaking
Share your industry expertise, product news, and brand story directly with visitors on our talk event stage.
2. Demo Car Display
A booth presence spreading word of AKIBA JDM PROJECT and the Gunma partner tour, domestically and internationally
4. Support for the Gunma Tour
Help with the regional tour we are planning with the Shibukawa-Annaka JDM Promotion, either by offering experiences or by becoming a sponsor.
We look forward to working with you.
Background
Akihabara draws large numbers of visitors from Japan and abroad year-round as a mecca for subculture, yet most of that visit stays contained within the Akihabara area and rarely extends into regional travel. Meanwhile, JDM — Japan's homegrown automotive culture — enjoys strong popularity overseas and pairs naturally with anime, gaming, and hobby content. Could this shared ‘passion’ be the bridge that connects Akihabara to the regions? That question is the starting point of AKIBA JDM PROJECT.
