RoundCat Rally

Every year, we invite a group of our close friends to join us on an event we call the RoundCat Rally. In 2024, it’s an 800km driving adventure across Japan.

The five day journey takes us from central Tokyo, across the mountainous center of Honshu, and ends in Kanazawa on the western coast.

Taking exclusively back roads, we traverse expansive rice fields, climb mountain touge that cut through deep forests, and cross the snow capped “Japanese Alps”.

Accommodations reflect the towns we pass through — one of the oldest Ryokan in Japan, contemporary ski cabins, and renovated machiya houses create a different sense of occasion each evening.

The week is spent expanding friendships, immersing ourselves in the feeling of good design, and enjoying the best driving roads on the planet.

The invitation to join us on the RoundCat is limited to our friends, their guests, and our industry partners. If you are interested in joining the rally as a partner, please send us a note.

Slow cars fast

Kei cars, built to a strict formula of small size and limited power, are ubiquitous in Japan (40% of new cars sold each year) but are an unexpected choice for international driving enthusiasts.

As with most things in Japan - it's about context. The size and power of these cute vehicles is perfectly matched for the tight and sinuous roads found outside Tokyo. Without the crutch of horsepower, the driver requires skill and attention to maintain momentum — a perfect analogue to the traditional practices of Japanese artisans.

Kei cars remove the machismo and preciousness that comes with high-horsepower exotics, unlocking an elemental driving experience that is about simply having fun. Think of them as street-legal Mario Karts.

While kei cars are not strictly required for the RoundCat, kei cars and cars with “kei car energy” are strongly encouraged.

Driving outside Tokyo

The RoundCat route gives participants a taste of Japan outside of Tokyo’s urban core. Rural Japan stands in stark contrast to the modern and always changing center of Tokyo. The pace of life is slower and nature is ever present.

Rural Japan is a driving paradise. The Japanese government has been on a 70+ year infrastructure building spree and the results are legendary.

The toll expressway system that rings Tokyo and connects every major Japanese city is smooth, flowing, and known for high speed midnight runs.

On the RoundCat, expressways are completely avoided and we travel on a combination of municipal roads, touge, and regional secondary roads. Like the expressways, these small roads are impeccably maintained — even deep into the mountains.

Food, Drink, and Culture

Driving is the obvious focus of any rally but equally important is the time spent out of the cars.

Our route is a series of stops that allow participants to immerse themselves in rural Japan. We get out of the cars to experience regional flavors, meet local people, and get to know each other.

Over the course of the RoundCat we eat well (something different each meal) and sample sake, beer, and spirits from across Japan.

We stop frequently at cafes, restaurants, and roadside points of interest as we munch our way across Japan.

There is an element of “choose your own adventure”. Some people opt for seat time and others stop at every opportunity.