What Is a Tsurikawa? The JDM Train Handle Trend Explained

You've probably seen them swinging off the back of a lowered car at a meet: a ring or loop hanging from the rear bumper or tow hook. That's a tsurikawa, and it's one of the most recognisable JDM style details out there.

Here's where the tsurikawa comes from, why it ended up on cars, and how to run one on your own build.

Our Kitsune Mask tsurikawa.

What is a tsurikawa?

Tsurikawa (吊り革) literally means "hanging strap". In Japan, it's the name for the handles that hang from the rails on trains and buses, the ones commuters hold onto when there are no seats left.

That's why the classic car tsurikawa looks the way it does: a strap with a ring or handle on the end, just like the ones on a Tokyo train.

How the tsurikawa ended up on cars

The trend is most closely linked to Japan's car scenes, especially the VIP (bippu) style of slammed luxury sedans. Owners hung train-style straps off the back of their cars as a bit of attitude: a playful, rebellious detail that swung as the car moved and stood out at meets.

From there it spread through JDM culture worldwide. Today you'll see tsurikawa on everything from drift cars to daily drivers. They're as much about personality as they are about style.

Where to hang a tsurikawa

• Rear bumper or tow hook: the classic placement for that swinging look.
• Interior grab handles or rear-view mirror: a cleaner, low-key option. On the mirror, keep it short so it never blocks your view.
• Keys or bag: smaller designs double as a keychain.

Sharingan tsurikawa running inside the cabin.

Running one safely

• Secure it properly so it can't come loose at speed.
• Keep plates and lights clear. It shouldn't cover your number plate, tail lights or indicators.
• Mind the length so it doesn't drag on the road on a lowered car.
• Check your local rules. Regulations on what can hang off a vehicle vary by state and country.

Our tsurikawa designs

Our tsurikawa are made from high-quality acrylic and designed in-house, so you can match one to your build or the stories you love:

• Oni Mask and Kitsune Mask: traditional Japanese folklore.
• Stealth Shiba Inu: matte black and low-key.
• Sharingan and Rinnegan: for Naruto fans.
• Hollow Form: Ichigo's Hollow mask from Bleach.
• Brand of Sacrifice: straight out of Berserk.
• Straw Hat Jolly Roger, Pikachu, Goku and Hello Kitty: for the anime and pop-culture builds.

Hollow Form tsurikawa.

See every design in the Tsurikawa collection.

Complete the look

A tsurikawa pairs perfectly with other Japanese culture details: an omamori charm on the mirror or a set of JDM floor mats inside. It's the small details that make a build feel finished, or in our case, never quite complete.