Ultra Rigs of the World: Japanese - Art Truck

Dekotora, also written Decotora, are art decorator trucks originating from Japan. Dekotora trucks are designed with loud, attention grabbing features and colors, both inside and out, in order to turn heads as they drive by. In order to be considered a Dekotora the truck must not be a commercial truck, the hobby is strictly for owners and their own vehicles. It’s believed that Dekotora began in 1975 after the release of a movie aptly called ‘Trucker’ in which the star drives one such vehicle all over Japan. There is no set guideline in design, the goal is to make the truck stand out.

Dekotora, or Decotora, simply means “Decoration Truck.” These trucks are often used for work and decorated by enthusiastic employees. However, due to driving restrictions and such, many of the finer and more extreme examples must be created exclusively for show. The first instances of Dekotora were witnessed following the Japanese film company Toei’s release of Trucker, the tale of a colorfully dressed trucker who traveled about Japan in his overly-decorated rig. The phenomenon swept the country soon after and has morphed into a variety of styles.