There are few events in the automotive calendar that can genuinely stop you in your tracks, but Concorso d’Eleganza Japan 2026 did exactly that. Returning to the extraordinary surroundings of Yakushiji Temple in Nara, this year’s edition once again proved that when it comes to combining cultural depth, visual drama and collector-car royalty, very few concours can come close.
From the very first moments, the atmosphere was unmistakable. Cherry blossom drifted through the spring air, immaculate paintwork shimmered beneath the changing light, and the temple’s ancient architecture provided a backdrop so perfect it almost felt imagined. Yet what makes this event so special is not simply the setting, but the way it frames the cars themselves, not as static exhibits, but as rolling works of art.
A carefully curated line-up of rare and significant machinery ensured there was beauty in every direction, while the now-signature “Magic Hour” presentations elevated the entire occasion into something close to theatre. Stand-out cars came in the form of a Lamborghini Diablo GT, a Fiat 500 Siata Mille Miglia, and the incredible four-rotor powered Mazda RX-792P. As day turned to gold and the cars were revealed against one of Japan’s most evocative historic landmarks, Concorso d’Eleganza Japan found its defining image once again.
As the nighttime crept in after a busy opening day, the event was far from over, making way for the runway show, set against the incredible backdrop of the historic Yakushiji Temple in Nara, where spotlights were shone onto the cars as they traversed the red carpet like supermodels. In stark contrast to the cherry blossoms and serenity of the daytime, this energetic evening allowed participants to learn more about the cars on display, as well as in an entirely different setting. Our stand-out during this moment had to be the Mazda RX-792P, with its high-revving four-rotor engine shaking the ground beneath it as it manoeuvred its way along the catwalk.
The sun rose for day two, and proceedings start early in order to catch the mist and haze, again providing an entirely new set of visuals for the cars to bask in. This gave us a chance to catch-up with some of the owners and their machines, such as Shingo Kojima and his Fiat Abarth “Goccia”. This quirky classic was built very much with speed at its core, where the name is translated from Itlian quite simply to “Droplet”. The car was a collaboration between Michelotti, Carlo Abarth and Vignale, with the goal of breaking the speed record at Monza. Continuing the Italian theme, Hidetomo Kimura’s Fiat Siata 500 Pescara is a true veteran of motorsport, having tackled the gruelling Mille Miglia 1000 multiple times. One of two examples ever made, Hidetomo’s is the sole remaining model in the entire world, and despite its dinky 500CC engine, this is a car built for speed and agility!
As the attendees gazed in amazement at the array of rarities on display, it was down to the judges to determines the show’s stand-out entries. After much deliberation, it was the stunning 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Exprimental Torpedo by Jarvis that would claim the coveted Best in Show trophy. This incredible piece of motoring history started life on the other side of the world in the United Kingdom, where it was bodied by Jarvis of Wimbledon, and became a high-performance prototype designed by Sir Henry Royce to break 100 mph. In order to achieve this, the car featured streamlined "duck tail" coachwork, which captivated the onlookers as it was paraded around during the weekend.
For now, this dream-like event set among some of the world’s most beautiful scenery heads out on the Tour d’Eleganza, a seven-day road trip exploring some more of Japan’s best locations, but we’re already itching to return for 2027’s edition! For now, sit back and enjoy our feature length film, and be sure to subscribe to stay up to date with our latest videos!
Photos and Video by @claireandayesh
