Guess what? Nipu is home! Impossible is nothing! A bit mixed feelings now, it’s hard to comprehend that we are here or where we have been for the last six months and what we’ve done. And why?
About the last few days. In Onsen we were invited to Nankoku on the island of Shikoku. Our host turned out to be a real samurai and he had all kinds of treasures in the closets from katanas to Japanese spears. He was also a fisherman and we had a dinner of sea food. Mostly sashimi and sake. Extremely friendly people once again, we also got to witness the slaughtering and gutting of a big fish. In the morning we were meant to go fishing with a fifteen meter boat, but the weather was too bad and the waves too high. We were sent to the next stop in Kobe.
We got to Kobe quite late because we thought we could save some money not taking the expensive expressway but driving the little roads. This was not a bad idea for there was good scenes on the way, but the roads took an incredible amount of time. In Kobe we got in touch with our new hosts and got there just in time for a barbeque. Things went on in Japanese way, with friendly people and good food, enjoyed with a couple of local Asahi beers.
Since our schedule has been messed up for the past six months we needed to wake up around five o’clock in the morning and leave for Kyoto. We got there at dawn. What a place Kyoto is, the center a of Japanese culture. It would have been nice to hang around for more. We spotted some temples and geishas, a few of them. Because we were on fire and had to hurry, we decided to drive for Mount Fuji on the same night. Afterall, we needed to be in the Nissan HQ and Nipu’s home in Oppama Plant in the morning.
At Fuji we camped on the beach where we could get a nice view to Japans highest mountain. In the morning we woke up at five, enjoyed the view and took a dip in the lake. After that we took Nipu for its last drive, a short trip of a hundred kilometres. Yokohama isn’t the smallest city, I think it’s the second largest in Japan. Still, our navigator, Vasiliev, had no trouble finding the factory. And was there a reception. There was a big crowd, and Finnish flag was waving next to the Japanese one. I’m still a bit puzzled over what has happened. We are going over it now in a Karaoke bar in Yokohama.
Years ago there was this idea going in my head, some time ago it was being done, and now it has come to a conclution. Feels damn good. It has been 28000 kilometres in the wheel, and there has been enough of driving. Those who have drove the car know the tricks and the muscle you need to turn that wheel. I still can’t believe we made it… The trip has given many rich moments and unforgettable memories, dangerous situations, and everything in between. Nipu is home!! It’s bittersweet but all stories need to end. Believe in your dreams and make them happen. Live life to the fullest, without wasting moments. Nothing is impossible. Nipu is home and we’ll continue to Tokio and celebrate the six months. Thank you, over and out!
Maybe there will be some crazy story from Tokio coming up…
Congratulations guys… The unexpected happened and the brave Nipu could reach her home!
We wish you the best for the rest of your project and YOUR way back home, now Nipu is in good hand.
Cheers,
Vincent and Maryline (from Canada now, heading south)
The following news piece was posted on the Nissan Motor Co. global intranet on October 5th 2009 for all Nissan employees.
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NISSAN Sunny came back to Japan for the first time in 25 years from Finland
On September 25, one NISSAN Sunny which had traveled 28,000 km from a distant country in Scandinavia, Finland, came back to its birthplace, the Oppama Plant.
This homecoming visit of the Sunny was realized by a Finnish TV producer, Mr. Miikka Korpilo and his fellows who drove Mr. Korpilo’s Sunny all the way to Japan through countries in the Eurasian continent.
■ Background
It was 2002 when Mr. Korpilo bought a used 1985 NISSAN Sunny. Although he had been disillusioned by the past bitter experiences of used vehicles, he soon realized this was false when he experienced Sunny’s tough performance. He named his Sunny “Nipu” and drove throughout Europe.
However, more than 25 years have passed since Nipu was born. Even the strongly-built Sunny is going to come to end. So about a half year ago, Mr. Korpilo and Nipu started their last journey to Japan, to its birthplace, the Oppama Plant, with a TV crew.
Comment from Mr. Mitsuru Yonekawa, Global Corporate Communications Dep., person in charge
“ We first heard it from Finland Nissan in last March. They said someone was making a TV program about those who had bought a Sunny a few years ago was impressed by its driving performance and headed towards its birthplace, Japan. At first, I thought we mightn’t have much to do for it as a PR department and furthermore, I was skeptical whether they can really make it to Japan by car on the road. However, they occasionally made reports and they kept steadily approaching Japan. It seemed like a long journey full of ups and downs.”
■ Welcoming ceremony in the Oppama Plant
On the day, the Sunny, which anyone could see at first glance that it had experienced a long journey, finally passed through the gate of the Oppama Plant, their final goal. With about twenty employees including Mr. Seiji Honda, Plant General Manager, welcoming them, the engine stopped in front of the guest hall. The members were welcomed with a lot of applause and bouquets flowers.
Looking at a worn-out Sunny which traveled 28,000 km from Finland, the employees that have come to meet them were also impressed.
■ Interview with employees in the Oppama Plant
Mr. Takeo Yamamoto, Director of Oppama Plant Guest Hall
“In one word, Nissan cars are wonderful! That says it all. I’m very proud we make Nissan vehicles.”
Ms. Yoko Kozuka, Administration Department
“I’m so glad I realize how much Nissan cars are loved by many people.”
Three members from Finland were bit excited as they could finally came to their destination.
“I have mixed feeling. I recall what has happened in past few years and during this trip. I’m happy we made it, but I feel sad as I have to say goodbye to Nipu. I just can’t believe we are finally here.”
As their joy and excitement may have infected Plant General Manager Honda, he actually drove the Sunny.
Mr. Seiji Honda, General Manager, Oppama Plant:
“I was impressed. This vehicle was made in 1985 and a quarter of a century, or 25 years, has passed. Such an old vehicle could manage to come to Oppama traveling 28,000 km via six countries. I was so moved. I’m glad we all welcomed them.
Our predecessors exported highly reliable vehicles to all over the world and now one of them came back to Japan for the first time in 25 years. I really am glad it came back and we are very proud of it.”
They will go back to Finland and start editing as many as 150-hour images they have recorded during the travel, which they say will take several months. We are sure they will make a wonderful documentary out of those enormous amounts of images.
Dusk to Dawn (Website giving their travel record in Finnish/English) http://dusktodawntv.com/