News Daikoku PA: a car paradise better than Mt. Fuji

The Daikoku Parking Area on the Metropolitan Expressway in Yokohama has become a destination for car enthusiasts, hailed as a "sacred place." In recent years, Daikoku Parking Area (PA) has emerged as a significant tourist draw for foreigners visiting Japan.: visitors are captivated by the diverse collection of classic cars, custom vehicles, and sports cars showcased at this location. Interestingly, a 16-year-old boy went so far as to describe Daikoku PA, affectionately known by that name, as even more impressive than Mount Fuji.

However, the nightly crowds that converge at Daikoku PA have raised concerns among local authorities. Troubling incidents have escalated, including individuals climbing fences to access the parking area and pedestrians walking along the highway to reach the site. These actions pose risks and have prompted attention from both police and highway officials.

It became famous overseas through social media several years ago, and after the COVID-19 pandemic, it became packed with foreign tourists, particularly on the weekends. A Tokyo-based travel company run by a foreign national is conducting a tour catering to such foreign car buffs, which take them along the Metropolitan Expressway to the Daikoku PA. The tour has been a huge hit. The five-hour tour takes participants to car dealerships and accessory stores, then travels along the Metropolitan Expressway to the Daikoku PA. It has attracted a wide range of customers from the United States, Australia, Southeast Asia and European countries.

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On the other hand, with the increase in tourists, problems have also accelerated. According to the Metropolitan Expressway Co., the parking area can only be accessed from the expressway, but there are many unaware tourists who try to gain access from the regular road. They discover they cannot enter the parking area and try to force their way in on foot by climbing fences. There are also tourists who come to the parking area by taxi but cannot hail a cab for a return trip. That is due to there being no taxi stand in the PA, forcing the unfortunate tourists to try to walk home on the expressway. Such incidents of risky behaviour increased sharply from zero in 2021 to three in 2022 and 34 in 2023.

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A company representative said, "Daikoku PA itself is a tourist attraction, just like Mount Fuji and Tokyo Tower."

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