How to get there? Studie Yokohama & Studie Tokyo

After my posts on the various automotive locales i've visited whilst in Japan, a few people have contacted me asking how to get to those places? (Most especially, Studie AG) Well, here's some directions for those willing to undertake the journey. This is by no means comprehensive (knowing how maze-like the Tokyo train network is), but it should point you in the right direction. To be honest, once you get the hang of the train system, it's not rocket science finding your way around.



Your best friend for navigating the train systems in Japan? Jorudan! Before you embark on your trip to Japan, some researching on this site is a MUST! Plan your itenary around this extremely useful site. What i usually do is make some printouts of the directions. There is also an iphone app. which is similar but not as detailed. Worth downloading just in case. But if you've done your homework on Jorudan, a detailed printout is all you need.

The directions to all the places will originate from Shinjuku station, not just because that was where i decided to set up base, but also it's one of the most centralised and accessible stations in Tokyo.



First up, let's take a trip to Studie Yokohama.

The initial train ride getting there is easy and there are multiple ways to get there, one of them is to take the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line to Yokohama Station, and then transfer to the JR Yokohama Line to Shin-Yokohama station. Total travelling time will be about 40 odd minutes.

Do note that these are 2 seperate Yokohama stations, Yokohama and Shin-Yokohama. Shin-Yokohama serves mainly the bullet trains and Yokohama is the main gateway to Yokohama city.

Once you get out of the train station, head southwards along the train tracks. There are 2 exits, but as long as you keep walking along the tracks you won't get lose. The walk was longer then expected though, took me about 30-40 minutes, perhaps it was the extremely cold weather.

You will pass by a storage facility for brand new Porsches along the way. A Porsche dealership is nearby too. But mostly you'll be walking along some residential blocks.
Keep walking, and you will see Studie Yokohama on your left.

This is facing against the the direction you are walking. Just outside Studie. Here's what you'll be looking at on your way back to the train station.

Just follow the train tracks and you will see Studie!

Across the road from the showroom (& workshop) is the carpark where there were some really sweet rides sitting around.



How about Studie Tokyo? Personally, i found it easier getting to Studie Tokyo then Yokohama. Take the Keio Line from Shinjuku to Chofu-Tokyo station and transit to another train also along the Keio Line that will bring you towards Higashi-Fuchu. This part might be abit more difficult if you have limited or zero understating of Japanese. Heading into the suburbs, more and more signs will be exclusively in Japanese with the occasional tiny english text on the signboards. If in doubt, ask the friendly locals. Total travel time by train should be around 20-30 minutes.



Once you reach Higashi-Fuchu station, take a walk out of the station and you will come across a "Driving school" just outside(On the right side in the above photo). Head northwards towards the main road (the bigger one), and make a right turn.

Head straight for the next 10 minutes or so. You will walk past a Mazda Dealership and a BMW motorbike dealership along the way. Just after a 'Mart' of sorts, you'll see the Studie signage.

AC Schnitzer shares the same office as Studie Tokyo. Double the fun! Enjoy!

Day 5: Part 1: Shinjuku > Higashi-Fuchu "Visting Studie Tokyo"

On day 5 of my trip to Tokyo, i was in store for some really pleasant surprises ahead. It was a really beautiful morning, the winter morning sun was shining brightly and i had a car hunting trip planned ahead of me. To be perfectly honest, i woke up slightly late and was contemplating if i should skip the visit to Studie Tokyo since i've already visited the Yokohama showroom. But common sense and my rationale of, "since i'm in Japan, why not?" prevailed and soon after, i was on a train headed to Higashi-Fuchu. Of course, i had something to eat at the train station first. Some simple fair for the morning.

Nothing fancy, just some Sushi at a standing room only joint in Shinjuku Station.
A short rapid train ride later, i was standing on the platform of Higashi-Fuchu.


Looking like just about any other Japanese suburb, i never would have guessed what lay ahead just 20 minutes away.

Here we are! Studie Tokyo is alot easier to reach from the train station compared with the Yokohama outfit. Let me know if you guys want travelling instructions. I'll try to do up a post in the future.

If you thought Studie Yokohama had a delectable selection of Bavarian metal, you are in for a treat! Under the same roof right next to Studie Tokyo, is Ac Schnitzer. Well known for producing a number of ballistic tuned examples of BMWs finest. Here is what greets you at the carpark as you approach Studie Tokyo. I was as you can expect quivering with excitement.


A whole lineup of some amazing looking (and no doubt, amazing performing) cars.

Swing open the front doors and the first car you WILL notice is the Z4M Racecar. Sporting probably one of the most colorful liveries on a racecar today, you cannot mistake this for anything other then a Japanese team. It is absolutely stunning to behold. I just started to take in all the details and began firing off my camera as if there was no tomorrow.


Nico Nico Douga is a popular video sharing website in Japan. Kind of like the Youtube of animes i suppose.



Hatsune Miku Miku pretty much means, First(Hatsu), Ne(Sound), Future(Miku). It gets all uniquely Japanese from here on, so hit the link and read more if you're interested.


I just love this tagline.

On the other side of the room, just ahead of the Z4M, sits what looks like a beautiful E36 DTM racer.



Closer inspection reveals (gasp), another Gran Turismo setup!?! The E30 M3 was crazy enough, but Studie brings this one level up by coating the windscreen with an semi-opaque film and positioning a projector just above the car.


The projector will beam Gran Turismo right onto the windscreen itself for the lucky player to enjoy. Pretty crazy stuff right?

Surrounding these 2 cars are all the parts and accesories you need for your BMW. Wheels, exhaust, suspension, decals, steering wheels, carpets. You name it, i bet they can get it for you.



Not wanting to be a copy of the Yokohama showroom, Studie Tokyo has been given a more modern approach with regards to the interior. Although the same attention to detail is evident. Painted engine covers line the walls and another M10 racing engine sits dormant whilst customers flip though magazines or browse through the store as their cars get tuned or serviced.




They even have some inhouse merchandise for touristy folk like me.


A much larger "Speedy" frog sits inside Studie Tokyo.


If the Studie Tokyo showroom isn't enough to satisfy your BMW craving heart, step over to AC Schnitzer's showroom where my jaw totally dropped at the sight of this E36 ACS CLS II.




This was an extreme example of the E36 M3, the "Coupé Lightweight Silhouette II" was based on the AC Schnitzer CLS launched in 1993 but nonetheless is a totally new development. Many components of the CLS II were previously tested in the Group A M3 of the AC Schnitzer race team. The CLS II sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds and reaches a top speed of 290 km/h. There was a very very limited production run of the car, and this particular example if front of me, is production serial #001.


The rear wing is adjustable from inside the car.


Around the CLSII are an array of Schnitzer wheels and parts.



And yes... a self-plug photo...


After spending probably a good half hour salivating over the green monster, i headed out towards the workshop, or factory as they call it. Beckoning towards me was a fully decked out Hamann M5 being moved out.


Even the cup is color coded.

Here's a short clip of the M5 purring away on idle outside as the 3D Design 135i showcar from the Tokyo Auto Salon came in.

Sitting inside the workshop was a beautiful black Z4M Coupe on BBS LM-Rs.


As i was busy shooting away at the Z4M, i heard a rumbling noise coming from outside, as i headed out, this positively insane M3 came in.

It not only sported the wildest paint job on a BMW, but also, the craziest GT3 bodywork. It was no cheap bodykit either. This car is top-notch. How much more awesomeness can a BMW fan take in a day?



Words just cannot describe how awesome this car is.

Active Autowerke decal at the rear giving a clue to what lies beneath.

Rear diffuser is all Carbon.


These 2 sitting side by side provided an awesome picture. If you like, i made a 1280x768 version of the image below. Get it here.

Finish up inside the workshop, i headed towards the main carpark where the Hamann M5 was getting hosed down.



The beautiful white 3D Design 1 series from TAS2010 revisited.


Head towards AC Schnitzer and out front parked the Z4M Coupe based, ACS Profile.


A familiar site, the green Z4M Coupe from Studie Yokohama.


Sitting just to the side is an Active Autowerke enhanced 135i, notice the unique "STudiie" insignia and Yokohama Neova stripes.





Even the Turbo sticker has influnces of Studie's logo, these guys are really into the small details. On the opposide end of the size spectrum, is the X6 based AC Schnitzer Falcon.


Had enough readers? I sure did not, coming to Studie Tokyo totally blew my mind away. Pretty much every car here is worth a feature on its own. Sadly, time was running out for me and i had to make a hasty retreat back to the train station for my next stop. Toyota Megaweb and Super Autobacs!