Some invitations you simply can't ignore, and some events are worthy of blocking out your entire schedule for the month just to prepare for. Picture your own pride and joy parked among the pagodas of a World Heritage site, glowing in the pre-dawn "Magic Hour", before firing it up and unleashing it along roads that even most Japanese drivers never see. That is the pitch for Concorso d'Eleganza Japan 2027, and it's a rather good one.
Mark your diary for 10 and 11 April 2027, when the concours takes over Yakushiji Temple in the ancient capital of Nara for another year. Already hailed as one of the most spectacular events on the automotive calendar, one that celebrates the finest hospitality that Japan has to offer, 2027’s event will see rarer-than-rare classic and collector cars fill the temple's Genjo Sanzoin complex, with expert judges, veterans of international competitions, weighing each car's artistic and historical merit. As the night falls and the grounds, normally closed to the public after dark, open for a celebration under the lights, followed by a runway show introducing each entrant, a moment that so many, including our own JP Rathgen regard as one of the best moments of the event. Here's how JP describes the event:
"Within a short time, the Concorso d'Eleganza Japan Japan has become a unique event that I hope will attract more collectors from America and Europe, as participating is a wonderful way to explore this fantastic country in your own car. In my opinion, the car culture in Japan is amazing and wonderfully different from anywhere else, and the Concorso d'Eleganza Japan brings together some interesting elements of that culture."
The following morning, through a special driving experience organized in collaboration with the world’s most iconic classic car race, participants in the Concorso d’Eleganza Japan 2027 will travel from Yakushi-ji Temple—a World Heritage site representing Nara—to Ninnaji Temple, a historic and cultural World Heritage site representing Kyoto. Following the driving experience, participants will gather for a gala party beneath the famous cherry blossoms in full bloom on the grounds of Ninnaji Temple to celebrate the 100th anniversary of this iconic race. On October 13, an exciting announcement revealing the details of this truly once-in-a-lifetime experience will be made, so be sure to stay tuned.
Once the concours is wrapped up, the static event then becomes a road trip. From 12 to 17 April, Tour d'Eleganza Japan sends the cars on a six-day journey through a country the organisers promise offers "a true taste of Japan rarely experienced even by Japanese people themselves". That's why European and American collectors are being invited to apply and bring their cars over. Imagine unloading your own vehicle in Japan and spending a week driving it through landscapes that look like film sets, with a convoy of like-minded owners for company. That's not a car show, it's a story you'll tell for the rest of your life.
Details on how to apply and special announcements are coming very soon, so keep an eye on the official Concorso d'Eleganza Japan website and Classic Driver for news. If a Japanese road trip has ever crossed your mind, start planning now.
