Curves Japan: Stefan Bogner explores 7,000 km of roads

Photographer Stefan Bogner covers 7,000 km across Japan in the latest Curves edition, exploring culture, unique roads and Porsche models with a fresh perspective.

Ted Gushue, journalist and long-time Porsche enthusiast, returns to Tokyo, a city he calls his spiritual home. Here he finds a unique sense of harmony, expressed not only in the rhythm of the streets or the attention to detail, but also in the way Japanese culture treats cars. Caring for objects is not just a habit, but a way of life, and in this context Porsche feels perfectly at home.

His guide through the city is Norihiro Takamizuma, a man whose life has long unfolded after sunset. Originally from Fukuoka, he moved to Tokyo more than three decades ago and became a central figure in its vibrant 1990s club scene. At a time when dancing in clubs was officially forbidden, he created spaces that helped shape Japan’s house and techno movement. Later, he channeled his creativity into another venture: the bar twelv., hidden away in Nishiazabu. Designed with the help of Alexander Wang, it reflects Takamizuma’s philosophy of minimalism, precision, and quiet expression. Entry is by invitation only, and the presence of a Porsche 911 parked outside often signals that the doors are open.

Takamizuma’s passion for Porsche began with a toy model 911 in childhood. Today his collection covers almost the entire lineage of the brand, from the classic 930 and 993 to the modern Taycan Turbo S. These cars are not museum pieces. On weekends, they head to Tsukuba or Fuji circuits, where Takamizuma and friends form the twelv. Racing Team. It is less a professional outfit than an international circle of enthusiasts, united by friendship and the thrill of competition in karting marathons and club racing events.

For this night in Tokyo, the choice falls on a 911 GT3 RS (997) and the all-electric Macan Turbo. Each reveals the city differently. The 911 carries echoes of history and visceral performance, while the Macan represents the future: quiet, yet powerful. Japan, traditionally cautious about electric vehicles, has shifted its perspective. Infrastructure is expanding quickly: Terra Motors is installing 1,000 new fast chargers in Tokyo, the city government has doubled subsidies for home charging, and nationwide there are already around 30,000 charging points, with plans for 300,000 by 2030.

The shift is visible in Porsche’s own figures. By late 2024, sales of the electric Macan had already surpassed those of the internal combustion version. In the first half of 2025, nearly 60 percent of all Macan deliveries were electric. Reviewers highlight its dynamics, design, and advanced technology, while owners value the silence that turns every drive into a dialogue with the city.

For Japanese culture, where silence is seen as the highest form of elegance, this feels symbolic. In architecture, music, and daily life, silence is not emptiness but presence, a space for focus. The Macan fits seamlessly into this philosophy. Even Takamizuma, accustomed to the roar of classic Porsche engines, describes the electric SUV as “a fighter jet flying underwater”—smooth, yet full of force.

On the narrow streets of Shibuya or near Shiinamachi Station, those words come alive. The Macan glides effortlessly, allowing the sounds and sights of the city to emerge with new clarity. At such moments, it becomes clear that this is not only about technology. It is about finding a new balance between driver, car, and environment. For Ted Gushue and his friend, this is the future of driving in Tokyo: quiet, but charged with power.