MG Day in Karuizawa 2003
The 25th "MG Day in Karuizawa" on Saturday 25th October was a popular event for MG enthusiasts organised by the MG Car Club Japan Centre. On a bright October day, the beautiful autumn colours of the grounds of the Kajima No Mori Hotel provided a perfect backdrop for a stunning display of MGs of all types and ages. David Bonniface (Oxford Blue RV8 1589) enjoyed the well organised event. (Nov 03)

MG enthusiasts from all over Japan had driven to Karuizawa, with some driving 700km from as far away as Kyusu, with many of the other MG car clubs in Japan represented. Selecting the best cars in each of the various categories was very democratic with all entrants and club members voting for their choice in each category and for an overall winner. Mr Tomihiro Hibino from the Nagoya MG Car Club was the overall winner with his perfectly presented ZA Magnette.

The MGs on display included a clutch of T-types (one TC, six TDs and a TF), three J2s, a K3 Magnette, a C-type Montlhery, a 1953 YB in BRG, a ZA Magnette, and then a selection of more modern MGs. These included twelve Midgets (two 1500s), five MGAs including 2 twincams, fifteen MGBs the oldest being a very well preserved 1962 Roadster, two MGCs (one Roadster and the other a GT), and finally three RV8s. The RV8s owned by David Bonniface was there which won a special prize from the Nagoya MG Car Club for being kept in original condition.

Many of the cars were LHD which might seem odd as Japan drives on the left as in the UK, but the reason for this is that many MGs in Japan today were in fact imported by the US forces in the 40s, 50s and 60s and subsequently sold to local people. Of the MGBs on display, many had Weber or Dellorto twin-choke carbs (SUs are a mystery to Japanese mechanics!) and on the LHD models, the clearance between the carburettor and the brake master cylinder is only a few millimetres. One MGB in particular was very impressive; owner Mr "Ted" Hayakawa has taken a 65 roadster and improved it tremendously by adding electronic fuel injection, an RV8 front crossmember and brakes, new leather interior and much more. The list of features on his car is very long.

An evening party finished off a perfect day and Michael Card from the MG Car Club in the UK presented a special award to the MG Car Club Japan Centre for the occasion of their 40th Anniversary. Mike very bravely made his short speech in Japanese which was very much appreciated.

40th Anniversary lunch
A lunch to celebrate the 40th Anniversary arranged by the MG Car Club Japan Centre was held at the Blue Point restaurant in Shiroganedai on Sunday 9th November. Most members attended including the founder, Mr Hideo Nishihata. Many years ago Nishihata san was the Japanese importer for Morris, long before the days of BL. Many of the founding members spoke to the group and related some of their early motoring experiences in Japan when British cars of all types were very common.

Following an excellent lunch with his MG friends, David took a short subway ride to Tokyo's best British pub, The Tavern in Meguro, and watched two of the Rugby World Cup quarter finals on the big screen there. It's a tough life in Tokyo!

What is Karuizawa?

Karuizawa is situated at the foot of the active volcano Mt. Asama in south-eastern Nagano prefecture. It is on a plateau at an altitude of 1,000m and surrounded by Mt. Asama, Mt. Hanamagari and the Usui-toge Pass. It has thrived as the most popular international summer resort in Japan since the late 19th century because of its cool summer and the breezy environment with many larches and birches.

Karuizawa was "discovered" by a British missionary Archdeacon A.C. Shaw. The natural beauty and fresh air reminded Shaw of his home in Scotland and in 1888 he built a small vacation home in a Kyu Karuizawa town of Daizukayama and introduced the area to other missionaries and Japanese intellectuals that he knew. Soon churches dotted the area and more vacation homes were built for Westerners, tycoons, literary people and artists.

In the late 1950s, however, Karuizawa's future was assured when the nation was informed that the Crown Prince (now the Emperor) was engaged to be married and that the young couple had done much of their courting on the tennis courts of Karuizawa. That began a non-stop boom for Karuizawa and its tennis, golf, and besso (country villas).

Karuizawa was the favourite of John Lennon, who spent the last four summers there before his assassination. Lennon loved Japan and Karuizawa in particular.


David Boniface (Oxford Blue RV8 1589) based in Tokyo won a special prize from the recent MG Day in Karuizawa organised by MG Car Club Japan Centre. The prize was awarded for having the most pristine and original RV8 on display. (Photo: Colin Shea)

V8 Register of the MG Car Club, PO Box 251, Abingdon-on-Thames, Oxfordshire OX14 1FF