The day earlier than, I’d been behind the wheel of a BMW M3 Touring — extensive, quick, and a bit misplaced in Tokyo’s slim streets. The subsequent morning felt fully completely different. I swapped brute energy for one thing smaller and much more suited to the town: two MINIs and a plan to flee towards Hakone, the place the roads open up and Mount Fuji sometimes peeks by means of the clouds.
Leaving Ginza after dawn, Tokyo was already in movement — calm however fixed. Driving right here retains you alert; there’s not a lot room for error or additional width. In that sense, a MINI feels fully at house. Japan’s had a delicate spot for small automobiles for many years, and MINI suits proper into that mindset — fast, compact, and straightforward to put even when the streets shut in. You continue to see traditional Minis tucked away in aspect alleys, sitting subsequent to their modern-day variations like household pictures. Japan has at all times understood that, which might be why MINI has such a loyal following right here.
Beginning With The John Cooper Works Convertible
I began the journey within the MINI John Cooper Works Convertible. Roof down, heater on, clear skies — about nearly as good because it will get for late autumn in Tokyo. The two.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder makes 231 horsepower and 320 Nm of torque, which doesn’t sound wild on paper, nevertheless it’s a lot for one thing this small.
The JCW feels tight, even at low velocity — stiff suspension and pretty participating steering. Within the metropolis, the sportier suspension can really feel a bit an excessive amount of for a each day driver. On lower than ultimate pavement and uneven surfaces, it’s bouncy and a bit unforgiving. However as soon as I acquired previous Yokohama and the roads opened up, it began to make sense.
Visitors on the best way to Hakone was gentle, just some sluggish stretches close to the tolls. As soon as the street started to climb, the temperature dropped, and the noise of the town pale behind. The timber thickened, the corners tightened, and for a quick couple of minutes, Mount Fuji appeared by means of a spot within the clouds earlier than disappearing once more.
That’s the place the JCW actually shined. The identical stiffness that made it jittery on the town become a extra participating driving expertise on the mountain. It’s not the automotive you’d decide for an extended commute, however for this sort of street, it’s excellent.
Change it into Go-Kart Mode, and the entire automotive modifications its habits. The throttle sharpens, the steering tightens, and all of the sudden it feels prefer it’s connecting together with your arms. The Hakone Turnpike is the right match — extensive lanes, sweeping hills, and corners that stream simply sufficient to maintain you within the second. The JCW is alive on the market. It’s enjoyable and responsive, the form of automotive that desires to be pushed to offer you again loads of smiles.
Swapping Into A Cooper S 3-Door
For the return journey, I swapped into the MINI Cooper S 3-door. Identical fundamental engine, tuned all the way down to 204 horsepower, however a completely completely different perspective. Softer journey, lighter steering, calmer driving habits — it instantly looks like a automotive you may drive day-after-day.
The place the JCW retains you on edge, the Cooper S enables you to calm down. Via the lengthy freeway stretches and again into Tokyo visitors, it simply labored — snug, composed, nonetheless playful while you wanted it to be. It’s the candy spot within the vary: a correct each day that hasn’t forgotten what makes a MINI enjoyable.
I’ve at all times most popular compact automobiles in busy cities. They simply make sense. You see it in every single place in Tokyo — for many individuals, the MINI isn’t a second automotive; it’s the one one. It suits the rhythm of the place. Within the U.S., we deal with automobiles like this as toys or weekend escapes, however right here, they’re a part of on a regular basis life. After a number of days driving by means of Japan, I perceive why. A small automotive doesn’t restrict you — it frees you up.
Night time Drive at Tatsumi
That evening, I took the MINI JCW out once more. Tokyo seems to be fully completely different after midnight — quieter, emptier, nearly cinematic with out making an attempt to be. I ended up on the Tatsumi Parking Space, one of many metropolis’s most iconic automotive spots. Some JDM legends lined the lot, together with a number of trendy sports activities automobiles and tuned imports. And naturally, we have been there, like many, for the scenic pictures of the Tokyo Skyline.
From there, we went for a late-night drive by means of the town. The streets have been almost empty, the lights nonetheless brilliant, and for as soon as, Tokyo felt unhurried. The JCW’s exhaust echoed off the tunnels, the skyline reflecting within the windshield. It was a cool expertise that reminded us why all of us love enjoyable automobiles, particularly after they have an engine.
