One hundred and sixteen classic cars will compete in the 12th running of this race where the average driver is 50 years old and no replica automobiles or cars built after 1967 are permitted to race.  A 1923 BUGATTI BRESCIA T22 is the oldest car in the race while a 1967 TOYOTA 2000GT MF10 is the youngest.  Ferraris, Aston Martins, MGs and Alfa Romeos are also among the cars competing in this grueling four day event. The flag will fall, signaling the start of the 2008 La Festa Mille Miglia, at 11AM on October 11th from the south gate of the Meiji Jingu Shrine in Harajuku and will continue through the Roppongi Hills area before leaving Tokyo behind.

On October 14th the racers will return to the Tokyo area with a spin through Chiba’s Baytown and Makuhari Messe areas just after 10AM.  They will then head towards the finish line in the Motomachi area of Yokohama between 4:30PM and 7PM the same day.

The time plan for La Festa Mille Miglia provides estimated times for the various checkpoints along the 1,000 mile route and will help you find the closest one to you.

This is one event that vintage car lovers in Japan won’t want to miss!

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons, L2 Magna 1933

Post from: The Tokyo Traveler

The Pan Pacific Yokohama Bay Hotel Tokyu has 480 guest rooms and suites and is situated in the Minato Mirai District of Yokohama, just minutes away from The Landmark Tower, Japan’s tallest building, where you can take in the view of the bay from the 69th floor Sky Garden. Some of the other things to do and see in the Minato Mirai District include Yokohama Cosmo World, an amusement park with one of the largest Ferris Wheels in the World, the Kishamichi Promenade that stretches 500 meters over the ocean and the world famous Yokohama Chinatown.

The Captain Adventure Plan runs from July 19th to August 31st, excluding July 20th and August 1st, and prices start from ¥37,000 for two adults and one child. The plan also includes a breakfast buffet at the hotel’s Cafe Tosca. 

The Pan Pacific Yokohama Bay Hotel Tokyu is located about 40 minutes by train from Tokyo Station, followed by a one-minute walk from Minato-Mirai Station in Yokohama (access map).  For more information on The Captain Adventure Plan, call (045) 682-2222.

If your travel dates don’t coincide with the Captain Adventure Plan you can book your own cruise of Yokohama Bay and still enjoy all of the other great things that Yokohama has to offer.

Source: Japan Times, Sake in Osaka, cruising in Yokohama
Photo Credit:  Flickr, yokohama at twilight

Post from: The Tokyo Traveler