Here Are The Japanese tuning shops

The Japanese tuning scene is renowned for producing some of the world's greatest tuning companies, and here we present a list of the top 10 Japanese tuning shops you need to know about.

With most Japanese cars in recent decades designed with the intention of aftermarket tuning, companies such as Esprit, Advance, Spoon, A'PEXi, Auto Select, and MINES have all made names for themselves by offering incredible performance upgrades. Let’s take a look at the top tuning shops in Japan.

10. Blitz

Blitz is a renowned automobile tuner in Japan, established in 1980, that has grown into one of the largest tuning shops in the country with over 4,000 employees. The company initially specialized in turbo compression, but as it expanded, so did its product portfolio.

While Blitz is not limited to tuning specific brands, it is well-known for its work on Nissan Skylines. However, owners of Honda, Subaru, Mitsubishi, and Toyota vehicles can also find a variety of products and services available, including complete turbo and supercharging kits, ECU tunes, and body kits.

9. Rocky Auto

Rocky Auto's workshop is a dream come true for JDM enthusiasts, featuring a collection of several JDM legends like the Hakosuka, every Skyline, and Datsun Z-variation ever produced. Rocky Auto's roots lie in swapping modern RB engines into old-school Skylines and Zs, but the company also performed unique modifications such as power steering and air conditioning modifications, which became unexpectedly popular.

Today, Rocky Auto offers a wide range of products and services, from engine work to complete restorations and everything in between. The company caters to classic car owners and has even built a Toyota 2000GT replica known as the Rocky Auto 3000GT.

8. Esprit

Esprit was founded in 1979 and has developed some of the most unorthodox and unique builds such as their fully-built Honda NSX, equipped with HKS suspension, a custom wide-body kit, and a fully built twin-turbocharged V6, making 700 hp.

Esprit offers a range of tuning parts including body kits, spoilers, ECU tuning, turbos & engines.

7. Advance

Advance, although small in comparison, specializes in high-quality builds, and mostly focuses on 90s JDM cars.

They offer complete car builds, suspension work, ECU tuning, brakes, and engine upgrades.

6. Spoon

Spoon Tuning shop was founded in the 80s by Tatsuru Ichishima, renowned for their racing engines and incredible precision in their builds. They are best known for the Spoon EK9 Type R which has a naturally aspirated 1.6L B16B engine, producing around 260 hp and an 11,000 RPM redline. Spoon also offers body kits, brake kits, wheels, and exhaust systems.

5. A'PEXi

A’PEXi was founded in 1992, has built everything from drift cars to track cars and drag racers. They offer full exhaust systems, suspension, and engine upgrades, as well as ECU tuning.

Their love for racing saw them win the SUPER GT series in 1998 with their own Toyota MR-2.

4. Auto Select

Auto Select is located in Osaka, specializes in high-performance track and race builds, and has become one of the most respected tuning companies in Japan.

The Sawa brothers, with over four decades of experience in Japanese tuning, upgrade every component to its absolute limit. Auto Select does anything from GT-R maintenance to performance tuning, strut-braces, suspension, and engine upgrades.

3. MINE’s

MINES is famous for their re-programmed ECU systems in the late 80s, has become known for their work on Nissan Skyline GT-Rs.

Their legendary work includes the Mine's R32 Skyline GT-R, a heavily tuned version of the stock model. They also manufacture their own exhaust systems, strut bars, and other parts.

2. Yashio Factory

Yashio Factory was founded in 1981 by Kazuyoshi “Oka-chan” Okamura, who mainly concentrated on 180SX and Silvia models in the 90s. He built himself a good reputation for balanced cars and now works on a variety of vehicles. One of his most impressive builds is the S15 driven by Okamura in the D1 drifting series.

Yashio Factory is known for its Gulf body kit and other impressive body modifications. Their work on a supercharged Toyota Vitz, which got good reviews from the Hot Versions team and qualified as a Silvia hunter, is also worth noting.

1. HKS

HKS, founded in 1973, is one of the oldest and most respected tuning companies in the world. Its factory located in Fujinomiya has one of the most stunning views of Mount Fuji. Founded by Hiroyuki Hasegawa and his friend Goichi Kitagawa, HKS was created with a vision to create the meanest, most powerful, and most successful racing engine of all time.

HKS became the first Japanese brand to surpass the 300 km/h barrier in 1983 with a Toyota Celica known as the M300, fitted with two HKS turbos pushing around 600 bhp. Today, HKS offers a wide range of products, from complete engine builds and tuning packages to body kits and suspension upgrades.