You come off the Wangan and the road starts to curl. Down and around, down and around — the famous spiral ramps of Daikoku Junction. Then the car park opens up below you: rows of headlights, the glow of a convenience store, a lime-green Lamborghini next to a slammed kei van, and a crowd of people with their phones up. Welcome to Daikoku.
Daikoku Parking Area (大黒PA), usually just called "Daikoku", is a rest stop on the Shuto Expressway in Yokohama. On many nights it's also the most famous informal car meet on the planet.
There are no tickets, no schedule and no organiser. That's exactly what makes it special — and why so many visitors turn up at the wrong time, or can't get in at all.
Daikoku PA is an expressway rest area in Yokohama, reachable only by car via the toll expressway. Cars gather most evenings, with the biggest crowds on Friday and Saturday — which are also the nights police most often close it. The easiest way to visit is a guided drive, ideally one where you drive yourself.
What Daikoku actually is
Daikoku PA sits on reclaimed land at Daikoku Futo, in Tsurumi Ward, Yokohama, beside Daikoku Junction where the Bayshore Route (the Wangan) meets the routes into Yokohama. It has a large car park, toilets, a restaurant and a 24-hour convenience store.
Its location is the secret. It's a natural stopping point for drivers from Tokyo, Yokohama and beyond, it's big enough to hold a crowd, and it's surrounded by expressway — so there are no neighbours to keep awake.
What you'll see
Every night is a lottery, which is half the fun. On any given evening you might find:
- Tuned Skylines, Silvias, Supras and RX-7s
- VIP-style sedans sitting on the ground
- Supercars with wild wraps
- Kei cars and vans with outrageous wheels and sound systems
- Immaculate classics from the 70s and 80s
- Club meets, where a whole group arrives in matching cars
Daikoku has appeared in international car TV shows and countless YouTube videos, which is a big reason it's now on many visitors' bucket lists. It's still, first and foremost, a working rest area used by truck drivers and commuters.
How to get there
Daikoku is only reachable by expressway. You can't walk in, and there's no station. Your options:
- Drive yourself. The most rewarding way, and easiest with a host beside you to handle navigation.
- Join a tour. Passenger or self-drive — compare them in self-drive vs passenger tours.
- Taxi. Possible, but getting a taxi back out late at night can be tricky.
Because Daikoku is on the Shuto Expressway, you pay tolls to get in and out. See the Shuto Expressway guide.
When to go
There's no official meet time. Cars start rolling in after dark and the crowd builds through the evening, peaking on Friday and Saturday. The catch: those big nights are exactly when police are most likely to close the car park. Our best time to visit guide explains how to play it.
Police closures
Daikoku is often closed to cars at night, particularly on weekend nights, holidays and dates when large gatherings are expected — New Year's Eve is a classic. When it's closed, police block the entry ramp and you're waved on along the expressway.
There's no public closure timetable. A good tour always has a plan B. Ours: backup spots when Daikoku is closed.
If you find the ramp blocked, don't stop on the expressway or try to wait it out. Carry on to the next exit or rest area and change plan.
Etiquette in one paragraph
Daikoku is a public rest area, not an event. Treat it like someone else's garage: look but don't touch, ask before photographing people, never block traffic, and don't rev or do burnouts. The full list is in Daikoku etiquette. Good behaviour is what keeps the place open.
Photo tips
- Shoot low and wide to fit the car and the crowd.
- Use your phone's night mode and turn off the flash.
- The spiral ramps make a great background if you can find a safe spot on the walkway.
What to bring
| Bring | Why |
|---|---|
| A phone or camera with night mode | It's dark, and the cars deserve better than flash photos |
| A light jacket | It's breezy by the bay |
| Comfortable shoes | You'll be walking for an hour |
| Card or cash | For drinks and snacks at the convenience store |
Frequently asked questions
Is Daikoku PA free?
There's no entry fee, but you have to use the toll expressway to get there.
Can I walk to Daikoku PA?
No. It's only accessible by car via the expressway.
Is there a car meet every night?
Cars gather on most nights, but the size varies a lot with weather, day of the week and police activity. Some nights are very quiet.
Is Daikoku closed tonight?
There's no official public schedule for police closures. Tour guides check conditions on the night and change the route if needed.