Have you ever seen a truck so bright and flashy that you almost need sunglasses to look at it? Well, that is exactly what happens in Japan with the dekotora movement, which means decorated truck. This trend is not just a few stickers and lights; Rather, it is a complete transformation that turns these road giants into mobile works of art.
These trucks, which are typically from Japanese brands such as Mitsubishi and Toyota, are equipped with neon lights, bright chrome, and flashy paint jobs. Furthermore, with the passage of time, customization has increased, although always relying on Japanese influences such as samurai or ninjas, and other elements have begun to be incorporated on the exterior and interior.
In this way, it is not uncommon to find extensions on the bumpers, mirrors with all kinds of finishes and lights so powerful that they almost transform night into day. Internally, the trucks can boast brightly colored upholstery and custom accessories that reflect each driver’s personality.
But what’s the point of all this? Apart from the passion for tuning, there are contests in which these decorated trucks compete for prizes of up to 10,000 euros. To get this amount, there are people who invest up to 100,000 euros in their trucks and then win these beauty contests on wheels – they have to win enough for the investment to be profitable.
Although you would think that driving something so shiny and flashy would be considered illegal, in Japan it is completely legal. However, truckers who drive these types of vehicles have to make sure they follow some rules, such as not having neon lights on the road so as not to distract other drivers and making sure that all the decoration is in order.
