Following up on our previous trip to Okayama, this time we visited Mediate Cars, a Porsche specialty shop nestled in Gifu. Well-known among Porsche enthusiasts, it’s been a place I’ve been curious about for quite some time.

A wonderful shop with the motto “Enriching life through Porsche.” Before meeting owner Mr. Dobashi, I imagined he must simply love Porsches—but after talking with him, I was amazed by a passion for Porsche that far exceeded my expectations!

The Rare Diamond Blue Metallic Color

Stepping inside, a stunning 930 was on display right before my eyes. I couldn’t help but say, “I didn’t know such a beautiful silver existed!” Mr. Dobashi then explained, “This is a rare body color called Diamond Blue Metallic.”

“Most 930s you see are silver, black, or white… so unique colors like this tend to be quite popular.”

Looking again at the 930 while listening to the explanation, it truly stood apart from the usual colors. The deep, bluish silver was breathtaking, and the beige interior provided a perfect contrast. I bet the owner has impeccable taste—something I could never quite pull off myself.

Mediate Cars showcases Porsches from various eras, both air-cooled and water-cooled. Every single one gleamed so brightly that I almost mistook them for brand-new cars—an unmistakable sign of genuine Porsche love.

“There was even a time when we had all eight generations of Porsche lined up!”

That remark from Mr. Dobashi sparked my imagination. For any Porsche fan, the sight of all eight generations gathered in one place would be thrilling. Such a luxurious moment is truly rare.

Wow, I felt like I had stepped into an extraordinary place.

Passion for Selling What You Truly Love

Crafting Cinematic Porsche Videos

One of Mediate Cars’ standout features is their YouTube car introduction videos. The cinematic quality is mesmerizing—far beyond typical dealership footage (laughs).

Image source: https://mediatecars.com/movies/

“There are plenty of videos explaining cars as products, but videos that convey the unique world and excitement of a car are rare. We want people to truly understand that world—and we aim to express it through film.”

This passion clearly resonates with customers.

“We often hear, ‘I watched your YouTube videos over and over and came all the way here today!’ Especially for customers coming from afar, YouTube is often their only source of information. So we put our heart into delivering that experience.”

Mediate Cars also takes immense care with photography. Each car is treated as the star, with angles chosen to showcase its beauty. The photos displayed rival those of top dealerships. Having been familiar with cameras since his corporate days, Mr. Dobashi honed his skills further after going independent, even receiving advice from professional photographers.

“I imagine Porsche buyers winding down after work, sipping a drink while their computer wallpaper shows a Porsche photo… If they can enjoy their stylish car like that, it’s happiness. That’s the feeling I aim to capture in our photos.”

This customer-centric approach and refusal to settle for anything less than perfect is inspiring—not only as a Porsche owner but also as a business leader.

Recently, Mediate Cars welcomed a new team member! SHUNA, a young Porsche owner who bought his first Porsche at 19 and handles video production, is joining the team. The future looks bright!
Check out SHUNA’s profile here.

Image source: https://mediatecars.com/

 

Visiting IBI LAB., the Porsche Service Factory

Next, we took the opportunity to visit IBI LAB., a Porsche-dedicated service factory nearby, established by Mediate Cars to serve Porsche lovers with specialized care.

The factory is spotless, almost like a dealership, with an atmosphere reminiscent of the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart.

“Porsche repairs take time—sometimes three weeks or even a month. It’s unthinkable to leave a cherished car outside exposed to rain and wind during repairs. That’s why we always store every car indoors after work, taking great care of them. Of course, security is also a priority.”

The combined storage capacity of the shop and factory is an astonishing 70 cars. The interior design and tasteful decor also reflect a deep love for the brand.

“We never use the Porsche crest. It’s a sacred symbol, strictly controlled and managed. Some shops use it without permission, but that’s disrespectful. We absolutely refuse to use the Porsche crest.”

Such reverence and respect for Porsche are truly remarkable.

What Pure Passion Creates

Visiting Mediate Cars left me with a strong sense of trust that goes beyond business—between the cars, their owners, and the shop. Mr. Dobashi’s pure love for Porsche shines through every car and every detail of the store.

“Because, after all, Porsche is just cool.”

Simple words, yet they say it all.

In today’s world, where customers gather information online and visit stores to confirm their choices, Mediate Cars never disappoints. They consistently exceed expectations. This is their pride as a Porsche specialty shop and a heartfelt expression of love for the Porsche brand.

In Gifu, Mr. Dobashi and Mediate Cars embody unwavering Porsche passion. They reminded me that a car is not just a means of transportation but a special part of life’s journey.

It’s just a two-and-a-half-hour drive from home, so I definitely want to visit again! Thank you so much, Mr. Dobashi, SHUNA, and all the staff for your precious time. I’ll be back!