Osaka Auto Messe has a very different feel to Tokyo. The huge attendance demonstrates the aftermarket in the Kansai region is still strong, the attendees have a more hands-on approach and are not scared to get up close and personal.

The VIP, Kei, Wagons, Vans and Import scenes continue to grow, overshadowing the performance tuners in numbers and innovation. However, being in Osaka the Auto Messe is an opportunity for the tuners in the region to showcase their unique style and approach - we did our best to capture the highlights while fighting the crowds!

Osaka Auto Messe is second only to Tokyo Auto Salon for size and attendance. The Kansai area is home to some of the biggest names in Japanese tuning and with many not making it up to Tokyo, there are always some interesting cars and parts on display.

To illustrate this, the first post is a highlight on Osaka JDM, a specialist tuning shop for older Civics tuned for the circuit but are also known to make appearances on the expressways of Osaka.

After missing the Tokyo Auto Salon, we were lucky enough to make some of the other large motorshows in Japan and Australia, including the Osaka Auto Messe, Fukuoka Auto Salon and Melbourne Motorshow. Make sure you check out our Image Gallery for many photos you won't see anywhere else!

Osaka Auto Messe

The Osaka Auto Messe is known as the biggest supporting event to the Tokyo Auto Salon. Situated in Osaka, a large aftermarket manufacturer city, the Auto Messe features a number of stands not found in the larger Tokyo show.

Big R35 GTR fans, we were happy to see a huge turnout, including the Mines R35 GTR, GT-R magazine R35, GTR-SNS R35 and the HKS Kansai GTR amongst many others!

Fukuoka Auto Salon

The Fukuoka Auto Salon is hosted at the Yahoo dome, also used for the Fukuoka Hawks baseball team. The entire field is turned into car lovers heaven, as the large manufacturers make the trip down to Kyushu and the many local manufacturers also make an appearance.

We felt the Fukuoka show was better than the Osaka show in 2008 with many of the same R35 GTR's, new Impreza's and Evo's, but also many unique local manufacturers. The new HKS Camp 2 was also on display, which now have available on the website.

Melbourne Motorshow

One of our team members was lucky enough to visit the Melbourne Motorshow in Australia. Featuring a number of concept and new vehicles. Nissan Australia featured the R35 GTR which they are planning to offer for sale in around a years time for over $150,000 Australian dollars, a large premium over the Japanese release price.

Other notable vehicles were the Holden Coupe 60 and HSV W427, featuring a 7L engine and over 500hp.  Also appearing were the Bugatti Veryon, Audi R8, Hyundai Genesis Coupe and the Toyota FT-HS concept car. Check our Melbourne Motorshow gallery for more photos.