Cruise over to Moricoro Park for 120 vintage cars or apply and show off your own pre-1997 classic.
The Toyota Motor Corporation is a household name in much of the world for being the largest automobile manufacturer on a global scale, but has also had a big impact back at home. Rooted deep in Aichi Prefecture, the city of Koromo renamed itself Toyota City in 1959 to honor the company, its primary engine of growth. Just down the road from the city, in neighboring Nagakute City, sits the Toyota Automobile Museum, an institution that seeks to preserve global car history across every manufacturer and era, well beyond Toyota’s own lineage. That’s not to be confused with the nearby Toyota Kaikan Museum that focuses on Toyota products and services, as well as the latest Toyota and Lexus models.
On November 15, the 36th Toyota Automobile Museum Classic Car Festival makes its return, promising an unforgettable experience celebrating automotive history at Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park, also known as Morocoro Park, which also plays host to the fantastical Ghibli Park.
The festival starts with a 14-kilometer (8.7-mile) parade featuring between 100 to 120 preserved classic cars rolling through public streets, starting at 7:00 a.m. from the museum.
Once the parade arrives at Moricoro Park, you can take a closer look at the vintage Japanese and international gems. Owners of the cars will be mingling around looking to chat about their beloved rides, sometimes wearing period attire, or setting up some custom memory panels to explain more about the car’s history. With food trucks, local booths, and the lush park grounds, it all makes for a fantastic day out for friends and family.
While official spectator entrance details for 2026 are still pending, looking back at the 35th festival, which was held in spring 2025, admission to the exhibition was completely free, so if you’re a lover of classic cars, you’re likely to be in for some budget-friendly fun.
If you happen to own a classic car in Japan, it’s possible to get in on the action yourself. Any Japanese or imported cars produced in or before 1996 (excluding motorcycles) are eligible, but vehicles must be street-legal and in a driveable state on the day of the event. Propellers and flotation devices are not proof of roadworthiness, no matter how phantasmagorical a machine it may be.
Applications for participation open from August 5 to August 15 via the official Toyota Automobile Museum website. If selected for one of the limited spots available, the participation fee is 5,000 yen (US$31.38), which covers the official parade number, a commemorative badge, and event pamphlet.
Whether you want to take a trip down memory lane or are in the mood to experience some history, you won’t be needing 1.21 gigawatts to feel the nostalgia, just head on down to Moricoro Park this November.
Event information
Dai 36 Kai Toyota Hakubutsukan Classic Car Festival / 第36回トヨタ博物館クラシックカー・フェスティバル
Venue: Ai・Chikyuhaku Kinen Koen, Aichi-ken, Nagakute-shi, Ibaragabasama 1533-1
愛・地球博記念公園 愛知県長久手市茨ケ廻間乙1533-1
Time: 7:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Official Parade Recruitment Notice
Related: Tokyo Automobile Museum
Source and images: @Press
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