Started by volunteers after the release of the Meguro K3
Are you familiar with the brand “Meguro”? It’s a Japanese motorcycle manufacturer founded exactly 100 years ago in 1924 (Taisho 13), with its headquarters and factory located next to each other in Osakihonmachi, Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo. The company was named “Meguro Factory” due to its proximity to Meguro Station, Meguro Fudoson Temple, and Meguro Racecourse. At a time when commuter bikes were in demand as a form of transportation for the general public, Meguro was one of the few domestic manufacturers to pursue the potential of large-displacement motorcycles, producing factory machines and actively participating in races. Their technical prowess was so high that they frequently won against foreign bikes, inspiring countless riders to admire them.
This is the Z97 model manufactured in 1937 (Showa 12). It was Meguro’s first completed commercially available car, and was a luxury car sold for 950 yen at a time when the starting salary for civil servants was 75 yen. The photo shows the car actually used in the movie “Godzilla-1.0,” and at the event, the owner even demonstrated starting the engine.
In 1960, the company entered into a business partnership with what was then Kawasaki Aircraft Industries, and although the Meguro Plant was subsequently absorbed and merged, many of its talented engineers transferred to Kawasaki and later produced a series of famous motorcycles, including the Z1.
The event venue is Yamaage Kaikan, a 6-minute walk from JR Karasuyama Station. Only motorcycles are allowed in the parking area, and the parking spaces are clearly separated for Meguro and other vehicles.
Three years ago, in February 2021, Kawasaki released the Meguro K3, based on the W800, announcing the revival of the Meguro brand. As the promotional video was filmed in Nasukarasuyama City, where the Meguro Manufacturing factory was once located, volunteers from the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Association stepped up to see if the city could do something about it, and in November 2021, the Meguro Cannonball Nasukarasuyama was held for the first time. The event was held at the Yamaage Kaikan Hall in the city, and this year it was held on Sunday, November 3rd.
The Meguro owners and the riders who come to see them are also maniacs.
This is the parking area where bikes other than Meguro are shown. There are many enthusiast models, and time will fly away just by looking around here.
There are no restrictions on the manufacturer or model of the vehicle to participate, and entry is possible even on foot, so the number of participants is increasing every year. According to the organizers’ announcement, the number of motorcycles entered was 237 (89 of which were Meguro) in the second event in 2022, 270 (102 of which were Meguro) in 2023, and 383 (138 of which were Meguro K3) this time. As a result, the number of visitors has also increased by 100 people each year, and this year approximately 800 people gathered.
This year, 54 Meguro K3s visited the event. The light motorcycle Meguro S1 was released on November 20th, so it is expected that the number of participants will increase even more next year.
The three main events on the day were a welcome ceremony starting at 11:00, a city parade starting at 12:30, and the Meguro 100th Anniversary Ceremony starting at 13:30. There were no flashy events like talk shows with racing riders or famous influencers on stage or rock-paper-scissors tournaments, which are common in modern motorcycle events. However, the people who gathered were mainly there to look at the many old and new Meguro and enthusiast bikes, and to interact with their owners, so they didn’t seem to be dissatisfied at all. And what added to the elegant atmosphere of the venue was the live jazz music, which is probably why it was so well received by the local residents.
Mayor Junko Kawamata gave a speech as Nasukarasuyama City is sponsoring the event. Her grandfather was a veterinarian and loved motorcycles, so she inherited two Meguro bikes from him.
ADVERTISEMENT
The music playing at the venue is not the usual rock or pop that you might find at a motorcycle event, but jazz, and it’s live music.
This event is unique in that it allows visitors to see such intergenerational interaction.
Kawasaki Motors, which is supporting this event, was generous enough to exhibit a pre-release Meguro S1 and a W230. Next to them was a 1949 Meguro Z, which is being restored by the entire town, and the car featured in the movie “Godzilla 1.0.” Incidentally, the movie was aired uncut on Friday Road Show two days prior to this event, making it a very timely event.
Also on display are the Meguro S1 (725,000 yen) and W230 (643,500 yen), which are about to be released. The large sign in the background was donated by Kawasaki Motors in 2022.
ADVERTISEMENT
Food and drink exhibition area. If you pay the 1,500 yen admission fee to participate in this event, you will receive a commemorative bandana, a bookmark made from Karasuyama washi paper, and a 600 yen coupon to use in this area. By the way, the bandana would cost 1,300 yen if purchased separately.
There was also a special package available only on this day. You could feel the welcoming atmosphere of the whole town.
The two report on the progress of the “Z-type” restoration project, which began last year as a three-year plan. On the left is Sawamura from Custom Shop CROWS, and on the right is Okumura from Kawasaki Motors. They are amazed at the level of work they have done, going beyond the realm of restoration, such as through a scientific analysis of the original paintwork and the discovery that pine resin was used for the gold lines. There are apparently quite a few former employees in Nasukarasuyama who have gone on to start successful businesses after the Meguro Factory closed, and many companies in the city are involved in this project.
Greetings from former employees of Meguro Manufacturing’s Karasuyama Factory. They were in charge of die-casting and other processes.
Approximately 270 vehicles participated in the parade run, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the town
After the welcome ceremony and group photo session, the main event of the event, the parade run, began. The parade ran along a route of approximately 13km within Nasukarasuyama City, and since there were no restrictions on the make or model of the vehicles, the number of participating vehicles increased from approximately 180 last year to approximately 270 this year.
Group photo from the 4th Meguro Cannonball Nasukarasuyama.
The parade run started at 12:30. Citizens could be seen waving flags and holding flags along the route, conveying the welcoming atmosphere of the event.
There is also plenty of content for children, such as making name tags, hinoki wooden tags, and washi paper flags. Thanks to the cooperation of the various sponsoring companies, these can all be used free of charge, which is a nice bonus.
Tochigi Toyota Motor Corporation, exhibiting for the first time, will be displaying a restored first-generation Crown. Other exhibitors include the Tochigi Prefectural Police and Kawasaki Plaza Utsunomiya Interpark/Utsunomiya Kita, also exhibiting for the first time.
The Meguro Cannonball Nasukarasuyama is scheduled to be held again next year, but with the release of the Meguro S1, an increase in visitors is expected, so they are considering holding the event at a venue with a larger capacity than the Yamaage Kaikan. We will let you know on Motor Fan Bikes as soon as this is decided.
