About Keijira
Keijira is the central hub for Japanese kei vehicle culture in America. We combine the practical, information-dense approach of financial comparison sites with the visual richness and cultural appreciation of Japanese magazines like Go Out and Popeye.
Why Keijira?
There's no single place where US kei vehicle enthusiasts can find reliable information about buying, importing, registering, and modifying these incredible vehicles. Information is scattered across forums, Facebook groups, and outdated blog posts. Keijira brings it all together — 41 guides, 50-state regulations, 19 vehicle profiles, 49 verified dealers, and interactive tools like the import calculator, parts lookup, and registration checker.
What We Cover
- Buying Guides — 41 guides covering purchasing, importing, registration, insurance, maintenance, and more
- State Regulations — Up-to-date legality information for all 50 states with real DMV sources
- Vehicle Database — Specs, pricing, and import status for 19 kei trucks, vans, and cars
- Mods & Builds — 10 modification guides, build showcases, and parts sources
- Dealers — 49 verified dealers and importers across 31 states
- Culture — History, aesthetics, community stories, and the lifestyle side of kei vehicles
The Name
“Keijira” combines “kei” (軽, the Japanese vehicle class) with a playful nod to Godzilla — because these tiny trucks have a way of making a massive impact on everyone who discovers them.
The Team
The people behind Keijira — a mix of builders, researchers, writers, and one person who just reads the fine print.
Jimmy Le
Founder
Kei truck enthusiast based in New York City. Built Keijira because the kei vehicle community deserved a single, comprehensive resource — not scattered forum posts and outdated blogs. Handles the tech, the strategy, and the vision.
Jake Mori
Editor-in-Chief
Japanese-American from Sacramento, now in Boise. Owns three kei vehicles: a '97 Carry he calls Old Faithful, an Acty van camper project, and a Cappuccino for weekends. Former landscaper who bought his first truck to haul mulch. Writes the buying guides and first-timer content.
Suki Tanaka
Culture & Lifestyle Editor
Half-Japanese, grew up in Seattle, spent three years teaching English in Tokyo's Setagaya ward. That's where she fell in love with kei trucks — the yaki-imo truck that came by every evening, the farmer's Sambar full of daikon. Runs a ceramics studio in Portland and writes about the culture, beauty, and community of kei vehicles.
Dave Russo
Mods & Builds Editor
Italian-American from Scranton. Spent 15 years as a diesel mechanic at a Mack truck dealership before getting hooked on kei trucks through his neighbor Gary's broken Hijet. Now runs Russo's Garage out of his two-car setup and writes every mod guide from first-hand experience — mistakes included.
Rina Hayashi
Regulations & Research Editor
Former paralegal who got into kei trucks helping her dad import a Carry to his hobby farm in Chesapeake. Was shocked by how confusing the paperwork was and thought someone should just explain it clearly. She's the reason we have 50-state regulation pages with real DMV sources. Doesn't own a kei truck yet — but she wants a Beat.
Accuracy & Updates
We strive to keep all information accurate and current. State regulations change, new model years become importable each January, and the kei vehicle community is constantly evolving. If you spot something outdated or incorrect, we want to know.
Contact Us
Have a question, spotted an error, want to submit your build, or interested in partnering with us? We'd love to hear from you.
We typically respond within 24-48 hours. For build submissions, event listings, mechanic directory additions, and spotlight features, please include photos and a brief description.
Disclaimer
Keijira is an independent informational resource. We are not affiliated with any vehicle manufacturer, importer, or dealer. The information provided here is for educational purposes. Always verify regulations with your local DMV and consult professionals for vehicle purchases and modifications.