JapDays 2025
On August 1-2, it was finally time for the highlight of the year for all lovers of Japanese cars – Japdays at Mantorp Park. With thousands of visitors, an action-packed driving schedule and hundreds of unique JDM builds, the track area was transformed into a mecca for enthusiasts of Japanese cars. Bidders Highway was of course there – and we did it in style: with us we had our Toyota Century G50, which as usual attracted a lot of attention.
Bidders Highway at JapDays 2025
Already on the way down to Mantorp, you understand that something is going on that has to do with Japanese cars. We pass, and are passed by, lots of different Japanese cars along the E4. All with the same goal: Mantorp Park and JapDays, which have become the highlight of the year for the country's JDM enthusiasts. The event grows with each passing year and last year a new record was broken when the magical limit of over a thousand cars was crossed. Nowadays, visitors can also be found here from other parts of Europe, such as Holland, Germany, Denmark, Norway and Finland.
At the height of the Herrbeta rest area, we see a familiar taillight ramp in the right lane. It can't be... Yes, another Toyota Century! It turns out to be a caravan of about ten cars from Finland and of course we turned off after them and had a good laugh when we both realized that neither of us will be the only Century on site this year.
Once there, we parked our Century in JDM Classics Sweden's department where the level of cars year after year constantly delivers. Here you will find well-built old school classics in original condition as well as rebuilt engine-swapped stance builds with the epithet classic as a common denominator. How about, for example, a -78 Toyota Corolla that has been driven 28000 km since new, a Bosozoku Honda MC, or a -77 Celica with a boosted Volvo T5 under the hood?
In a world full of aggressive body kits, turbo builds and negative camber angles, our Toyota Century stood out like an elegant shadow. With its discreet appearance and uncompromising luxury, it offered a contrast to everything else around it – and that is exactly what made it a "conversation starter" of sorts.
The Century model is known as Japan's answer to Rolls-Royce, a car exclusively designed for the imperial family, politicians and diplomats as well as the occasional yakuza boss, with details such as walnut wood panels, Japanese wool upholstery, crocheted seat covers and – in our case – the legendary V12 engine that was only available in the G50 generation. Many had never seen such a car in real life before, and the curiosity was palpable. Cameras chattered, questions rained down and discussions were many.
Friday evening offers street racing before hundreds of the cars on site gather to take part in a grand spectacle of cruising around the track, which in addition to the cool experience also gives the audience a good overview of many of the cars on site.
Photo: Sami Hakala
Photo: Sami Hakala
A full day at full throttle
On Saturday, JapDays offers a packed schedule from early morning to late afternoon.
During the day, private individuals could unleash their Japanese sports cars in an open track day, while drifting demonstrations offered burning tires and millimeter precision from some of Sweden's most talented drivers.
Off the track, the area was filled with shiny JDM builds in the exhibition area, where everything from veterans, classic 90s icons, pickups and modern turbo builds lined up side by side. And for those who wanted to shop, eat or just be inspired, the expo area offered a mix of businesses, car care, tuning, merchandise and food – all with the heart of Japanese car culture.
Thanks for this year!
A big thank you to Mantorp Park, JDM Classics Sweden for the hospitality and the organizers behind Japdays for an incredibly well-organized event as usual. And thanks to all of you who came out and said hello, asked questions, told stories or just wanted to take a closer look at our Century.
See you on the roads!
Tomas Jönsson, Bidders Highway
Photographers: Sami Hakala @fotohakala, Alen Haseta & Tomas Jönsson