Japanese trucks "Decotora" in pictures by Robert Benson

Japanese people love anime, traditional sento baths, cherry blossoms and... trucks. But not simple, but decorated in a special Decotora style. This word accurately describes unique cars, as it means "decoration truck" or "decorated truck". The principle of the "decorator" is to decorate the vehicle to the limit of its capabilities, that is, until it begins to affect traffic safety and technical characteristics.

If we describe Decotora in simple words, then this is an analogue of our "gypsy tuning", but in a particularly extreme form and with a Japanese flavor.

The style is based on the Japanese love of big gundam robots and a fascination with the romance of bosozoku — semi-criminal biker groups.

Many drivers who decorate their trucks have a stormy youth behind them. One of them is a former biker, and someone was in a criminal gang. There are also just fans of the style who believe that "decorators" are cool and give them sharp and dangerous guys.

It may seem to you that it is enough to hang a grandmother's chandelier in the cabin and cover the seats with carpets, and there will be a "decorator". But this is not the case. Every detail in these cars has its own meaning and their owners can rant on this topic for hours.

Photographer and traveler from the USA Robert Benson became interested in the crazy romance of Decotora. He gave us a series of pictures of super trucks and their pretentious owners.

It is clearly noticeable that the men in the photos are incredibly pleased with themselves, their truck and the photographer's attention. Although in some pictures they are simply lost against the background of the eye-popping design of their workhorses.

But if Decotora fans think they're the coolest, then they're not. They are stubbornly on the heels of truckers from India with their harsh and merciless tuning.