When asked to name the best automaking nations, most gearheads will immediately think of Germany and Italy. It's hard to argue, as the two nations have created some of the most iconic vehicles that every collector dreams of. Japan may not be mentioned in the same vein as Germany and Italy, as it typically produces ordinary vehicles that millions all over the world can afford.

RELATED: 10 Japanese Sports Cars Most People Have Forgotten About

However, that doesn't mean that the Japanese auto industry hasn't produced some gems. In fact, Japanese automakers like Toyota, Mazda, Honda, and Nissan gave their European competitors a run for their money with several superb models throughout the 20th century. They may be few and far between, but these are some of the coolest classic JDM cars every gearhead should drive at least once in their lifetime.

10 Toyota 2000GT

White Toyota 2000GT on the parking lot
via: BH Auction

With auction prices over the $1 million mark, the Toyota 2000GT is one of the most expensive Japanese cars you can buy. However, many argue that it's worth every penny.

1967 Toyota 2000GT 2 Cropped
Via mecum.com

When the 2000GT debuted in 1967, it immediately sent shockwaves through the auto industry, earning comparisons to European icons like the Ferrari 250 GTO thanks to its beauty. With less than 350 examples built, it's hard to run into one of these beauties.

9 Datsun 240Z

Nissan 240Z - Front
Via Mecum Auctions

After the 2000GT stole everyone's hearts with its sheer beauty, Toyota's rival Datsun was extremely jealous – especially since it had passed up the opportunity to build the car before Toyota. Datsun quickly went to work and developed a competitor for the 2000GT.

Datsun 240Z - Rear Quarter
Via Mecum Auctions

Dubbed the 240Z, this awesome car was just as good-looking as the Toyota 2000GT, had slightly less power, but was a lot more affordable since Datsun produced it in large numbers. The 240Z became so popular that it started the iconic Z car series that's still going strong today.

8 Nissan Skyline 2000 GT-R

First-Year 1969 Nissan Skyline 2000 GT-R In White Paint On BringaTrailer
Via: BringaTrailer

The Skyline GT-R is as iconic as it gets when it comes to Nissan sports cars. The Skyline GT-R's story started in the early '70s with the 2000 GT-R. Also known as Hakosuka, this fantastic coupe impressed many with its design, power, and driving dynamics.

1972 Datsun Skyline GTR Hakosuka 2 Cropped
Via blog.dupontregistry.com

Unfortunately, the 2000 GT-R's story was cut short when the fuel crisis started barely a year after its introduction and killed its demand. Since it’s rare, the 2000 GT-R costs more than $100,000 today.

7 Honda NSX

1990 Honda NSX
Honda

Honda competes in the entry-level market against the likes of Toyota, Chevrolet, and Mazda. However, in the '90s, Honda built a supercar that crushed Ferraris twice its price in almost every measurable metric and forced supercar manufacturers to rethink their strategies.

RELATED: 5 Reasons Why The New NSX Is Awesome (5 Reasons Why We'd Rather Have The Original)

2005 Honda NSX-R
via Honda

The NSX had a wedge-shaped design that made Ferrari designers jealous, advanced aerodynamics design created with input from renowned F1 driver Ayrton Senna, a lightweight all-aluminum body, and a 3.0-liter V6 engine that was not only powerful but also reliable.

6 1997 Toyota Century V12

2004 Toyota Century Front Profile Featured
Via Throttle House YouTube

Toyota is mostly known for its affordable everyday cars like the Camry and Corolla. What most gearheads don't know is that Toyota makes a full-size luxury sedan that can give the Rolls-Royce Phantom a run for its money.

Black 1997 Toyota Century on the road
Via Secret Classics

Dubbed the Century, this fantastic luxury sedan has been in production since the '60s and is now in its third generation. The second-generation model recently became eligible for import under the 25-year rule, and the cool thing about it is that it's the only V12-powered Japanese car ever built.

5 Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution

Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution Front Quarter View
via Mitsubishi

If there's one motorsports event that strikes fear into every automaker's head, it's the Dakar Rally. To win this gruesome competition, a car needs to be well-equipped to handle some of the harshest conditions on the planet at speed. That's exactly what the Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution was.

A mint condition Pajero Evolution
via hollybrooksportscars.com

The Pajero Evolution dominated the Dakar Rally, setting the record for most wins with 12 titles. Mitsubishi built 2,500 road-legal examples of this rally-bred beast, and they're some of the best off-road SUVs you can buy.

4 Nismo 400R

1997 Nissan Skyline GT-R NISMO 400R R33 Parked
Nismo

Nissan's in-house tuning department Nismo has built many fantastic vehicles over the years. One of them has to be its work on the Skyline GT-R R33, as it gave us the superb Nismo 400R.

RELATED: These Are The Coolest vehicles ever built by NISMO

Nissan Skyline GT-R R33 NISMO 400R Parked
via Nismo

The Nismo 400R was like an R33 on steroids, as it had several upgrades over its base car. These included a 400-hp twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine, an intercooler system, a twin-plate clutch, and an upgraded exhaust. Only 44 units were built, making the 400R one of the rarest Japanese sports cars.

3 Honda Civic Type-R EK9

Honda Civic Type-R EK9
Honda

When the Civic debuted in the early '70s, it was one of the cheapest cars available, competing against the likes of the Volkswagen Golf. However, in the '90s, Honda changed everyone's perception of what the Civic was when it built the first-ever Type-R version – the EK9.

Honda Civic Type-R EK9 Rear
Honda

The EK9 was based on the Civic hatchback but had a much-improved 182-hp four-pot under the hood, making it one of the most fun-to-drive hot hatches ever. The EK9 was such a hit that Honda is still making new Civic Type-R models to date.

2 Mazda RX-7 FD

Mazda-RX-7-FD-(red)---front
Mazda

The MX-5 Miata is Mazda's best-selling sports car of all time, but the one that Mazda fans really want is the RX-7 – particularly the final FD generation. Introduced in the early '90s, the RX-7 FD stunned gearheads with its sleek design featuring iconic pop-up headlights.

White 1994 Mazda RX-7 FD Parked On The Road
via Bring a Trailer

The RX-7 FD also had an amazing powerplant – a twin-turbocharged Wankel rotary engine developing 252 hp. A well-maintained RX-7 FD can cost more than $50,000 today, but we believe it's worth every penny.

1 Toyota Supra MK4

Front 3/4 view of a red Mk4 Supra
Toyota

The fourth-generation Supra is arguably the most iconic Japanese sports car of all time. The fourth-generation Supra has a huge cult following worldwide, largely thanks to its famous role in the Fast and Furious movies.

Toyota Supra MK 4
Via Mecum Auctions

However, it's not just the Hollywood heroics that make the Supra Mk4 an icon. For one, we think it's one of the best-looking sports cars of the '90s. The Supra is also a joy to drive, thanks to its 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 cranking out 321 ponies.