The custom scene’s calendar is stacked with bike shows the world over?but none of them are quite like the Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show. Colloquially known as ‘Mooneyes’ (named for the company that organizes it), it’s a show as unique as the Japanese custom scene itself.
Held in the Pacifico Yokohama exhibition center, Mooneyes has the unique distinction of being a one-day-only event. Which is a little crazy, when you consider the sheer volume of custom motorcycles and hot rods on display, and the sprawling vendor stalls that line each end of the venue. Still, Mooneyes is a must-visit.

Our good friends and talented photography power couple, Marc Holstein and Christine Gabler, are massive fans of the show?and Japanese culture in general. They attended their first Mooneyes in 2019 and had planned to go back the following year. But then the pandemic hit, and global lockdowns left them stranded at home in Germany. By December of last year, things had mostly returned to normal, and another pilgrimage to Mooneyes was on the cards for Marc and Christine. Since we couldn’t be there ourselves, we hit them up for a report.

?After Japan finally opened its borders again, it was clear that we had to go and finally meet up with friends and relatives, and start working on personal projects again,? says Marc. ?We managed to combine everything with a visit to one of the world?s finest custom shows.?
?The Mooneyes show was impressive, to say the least. As u...