10 Most Legendary Tuning Shops In The Japanese Auto Tuning Scene

Japan may be known for its affordable and economical commuters, but the country also has one of the strongest and most unique tuning scenes on the planet. This stems from the combination of affordability and impressive build quality that Japanese cars have traditionally offered.

The JDMtuning scene has provided us with some of the most potent street cars. Starting in the 80s, many of these JDM imports have inspired gearheads to get their hands dirty, while the ’90s provided some of the best Japanese performance cars, all produced under the gentleman’s agreement and making way less power than their internals could potentially sustain.

Due to import laws, many of these tuning legends remain out of Americans’ and Europeans’ hands. Let’s look at some companies that rose from the skunk works to provide record-breaking poster cars to the masses.

10/10 Spoon

Spoon is just one of the many legendary tuning shops found in Japan, founded by former Honda test driver Tatsuru Ichishima in January 1988. Spoon was providing race data for Honda and Mugen. His first and most notable exploit was the Spoon Honda Civic E-AT. Draped in blue and yellow livery, this tuned spoon produced 100 hp over stock at 230 hp.

Spoon was an early adopter of ECU mapping, using these chip sets in the Super GT Japan. Using his relationship with Honda, Tatsuru got his hands on many JDM icons such as the NSX, Civic EK9, S2000, and the more recent Civic FD2. Spoon still provides customers with the full Spoon service from the ‘Type-One’ store across the street from Spoon HQ.

RELATED: The Sickest Cars Built By Spoon

9/10 Mugen

Mugen was founded by Hirotoshi Honda in 1973, the son of Honda founder Soichiro Honda. Hirotoshi could not join his father’s company – a “make your own way” stunt from Soichiro. However, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Hirotoshi used his love of modifying daddies ‘whips’ to create Mugen, a tuning shop specializing in Honda components.

Mugen (“Unlimited” in Japanese) became so good at this, they began tuning Honda’s team vehicles for the GT championship, even winning the Formula 3000 in 90-91. Mugen took over from Honda between 1992-2000, supplying Formula One engines. Using Honda vehicles and race success, Mugen is now a highly respected tuning brand selling components and body kits for Honda vehicles.

RELATED: The Coolest Mugen Hondas Of All Time

8/10 Esprit

Founded in 1979, Esprit is based in Suzuka – not to be confused with the Lotus “Esprit”. An Esprit tune can usually be identified sporting large wing’s alongside carbon aero, all strapped to their signature clean white paintwork and black accents.

One of the most notable cars was the Esprit Supra, pulling 650 hp, helped along by the HKS T04Z turbo. Esprit latched their finely tuned paws on the NSX developing 800 hp from the original V6. The go-to shop for carbon fiber aero and components across multiple Japanese manufacturers.

RELATED: Honda Civic Type R Sets New Suzuka Circuit Lap Record

7/10 Blitz

Founded in Tokyo, BLITZ arrived in 1981. Although beginning life working with turbo compression, they have since gone on to become one of Japan’s most prolific tuning shops. One of the benefits of BLITZ is manufacturer variety. These include Subaru, Honda, Toyota, and Mitsubishi.

One of their most prominent vehicles was the BLITZ R34 Skyline, tuned to 861 hp. This 1999 Skyline is capable of 0-62 mph in 3 seconds! In addition, BLITZ regularly participates in the drifting scene, marketing worldwide.

RELATED: These Are The Sickest Cars Tuned By Blitz

6/10 HKS

Founded in 1973 and named after founders Hasegawa and Kitagawa as well as funded by Sigma automotive, HKS is among the world’s oldest and most respected Japanese tuning brands. HKS began working out of a dairy shed at the base of MT Fuji and went on to build the world’s first aftermarket turbocharger. HKS had the sole goal of providing high-performance components surpassing the OEM standards.

Like most on this list, you can find HKS attacking the drift circuits and drag strips in their heavily modified vehicles, including their legendary R33 GTR, the 1,300 hp nightmare that set the 7.67-second quarter mile record at the Sendai Hi-Land speedway. This record was held for many years as the fastest AWD vehicle in the world, giving their rivals a target to beat.

RELATED: These Are The Sickest Cars Tuned By HKS

5/10 Top Secret

Top Secret was founded by street racer Kazuhiko Nagata, or “Smokey,” in 1991. Nagata famously paints his favorite tuning projects in a signature gold to identify a Top Secret product. Only his favorites get this treatment, including his 2013 1,100hp GTR. This car won the Nardo high-speed challenge, clocking in at 234.407 mph.

Smokey is the main attraction to this legendary tuning brand, having been arrested in the UK for crossing 197 mph in a modified Supra. However, he changed the Supra, adding a V12 engine powering 930 hp to the rear wheels. This animal achieved a top speed of 222 mph, with Smokey manipulating the 6-speed manual transmission. Top Secret isn’t your ordinary tuning brand. Nagata named them because his former employers (TRUST tuning) allowed him to work in ‘secret’ to build his now legendary tuning business.

RELATED: Sickest Cars Built By Top Secret

4/10 GReddy

Working via parent company Trust tuning, GReddy is the US subdivision based in California, USA. GReddy products are highly rated. The company can be seen drifting with its team. Specializing in all components, especially turbochargers and air intakes, GReddy has been making products since 1977, making them an old reliable brand… some would say “Trusted.”

GReddy sells the ever-popular Rocket Bunny kits for cars, starting with the Datsun 240Z. Rocket Bunny kits are now available on a new Supra GR or a Scion FRS.

RELATED: 20 People Who “Tried” Building Rocket Bunnies (It Didn’t Work)

3/10 JUN Auto

Established in 1980 by Junichi Tanaka, JUN Auto’s cars all sport “Super lemon” paintwork, which is hard to miss. Tanaka was obsessed with straight-line speed and used record-breaking salt-flat runs to advertise his tuning shop. His first attempt saw his Fairlady Z32 clock 228 mph back in 1990. He broke this record the following year with another Z32, achieving 260MPH!

JUN cars operate across multiple sporting principles, which is unique. From 1,200-hp Supras to 1510-hp R34 Skylines, JUN tick all the legendary JDM tuning boxes, all with a touch of lemon.

RELATED: Sickest Cars Tuned By Jun Auto

2/10 Mine’s

Created by Michiro Niikura based in Yokosuka, Mine’s can be credited as one of the earliest adopters of ECU tuning. However, what sets them apart is the stock appearance. Mine’s projects focus solely on the mechanicals, meaning the vehicles maintain a clean stock appearance, which is not very JDM.

An excellent example of a Mines project is the Z33 350Z. Sporting a clean white exterior, tuned to a low 315 hp, this naturally aspirated Z is said to pull like it’s turbocharged from 3,500 rpm due to Mine’s stage II engine kit and full engine breakdown. Clean and subtle upgrades for the professional tuner can be found at Mines’s legendary shop.

RELATED: Sickest Cars Tuned By Mines

1/10 Powerhouse Amuse

Founded in 1990, Powerhouse-Amuse began as a wheel shop created by Hideki Tanabe. They soon became a tuning shop. It was the 90s after all. Tanabe used his relationship with Sumitomo Metal Corp to get his hands on STTI, a durable and lightweight blend of titanium. Amuse is known for R1 titanium exhaust systems and successes in time-attack street vehicles.

One of the more notable Amuse products was the Honda S2000 GT1. This wide-body conversion produced 550 hp using a blend of HKS and JUN auto parts, all molded to that Amuse exhaust system and suspension setup. A brace of blue titanium pipes is a sign of an Amuse vehicle.