Nestled among the forests and rolling hills of Motegi, Mobility Resort Motegi is one of Japan’s most versatile motorsport venues. Opened in 1997 by Honda, the complex combines an international racing circuit, an oval speedway, advanced driver training facilities and mobility attractions within a single destination dedicated to engineering, education and competition.
Originally known as Twin Ring Motegi, the venue was renamed Mobility Resort Motegi in 2022 to reflect its broader mission of promoting mobility, innovation and family experiences beyond traditional motorsport.
While it hosts some of Japan’s biggest international races, the circuit remains inseparable from Honda’s philosophy of developing both technology and people.
In Brief
- The circuit opened in 1997 as Twin Ring Motegi.
- It was renamed Mobility Resort Motegi in 2022 to reflect Honda’s broader mobility vision.
- The complex originally included both an international road course and a superspeedway oval.
- The Honda Collection Hall houses one of the world’s most important collections of Honda competition vehicles.
- Motegi remains Honda’s flagship venue for motorsport, education and customer experiences.
- The circuit has hosted MotoGP, IndyCar, Super GT and Super Formula.
History
Construction of the facility began during the mid-1990s as part of Honda’s ambition to expand its international motorsport activities while creating a comprehensive centre for driver development and public engagement.
The complex officially opened in 1997 featuring two independent circuits: a 4.801-kilometre road course and a 2.493-kilometre oval. The oval was originally intended to support American-style open-wheel racing, while the road course became home to motorcycle and sports car competition.
Over the following decades the venue hosted the Japanese motorcycle Grand Prix, Japanese Grand Prix, Super GT, Super Formula and numerous national championships.
In 2022, Honda rebranded the venue as Mobility Resort Motegi, expanding its focus to include sustainability, road safety education, outdoor recreation and next-generation mobility while preserving its world-class racing facilities.
Circuit Design
The international road course measures 4.801 kilometres and consists of 14 corners in a clockwise direction.
Unlike Suzuka’s flowing rhythm, Motegi is characterised by long straights connected by heavy braking zones and slow technical corners. This layout places a strong emphasis on braking performance, traction and acceleration while creating numerous overtaking opportunities.
The circuit’s generous run-off areas and modern safety systems make it particularly well suited to motorcycle racing and manufacturer development. The surrounding natural landscape also provides excellent elevation changes without creating the extreme gradients found at circuits such as Spa or Portimão.
Although the oval remains part of the complex, international competition today is centred primarily on the road course.
LENGTH
4.801
kilometres
WIDTH
14–15
metres
DIRECTION
CW
clockwise
TURNS
14
6 left – 8 right
SURFACE
Asphalt
LONGEST STRAIGHT
758
metres
ELEVATION CHANGE
31.9
metres
OPENED
1997
29 years ago
Mobility Resort Motegi is characterised by strong braking zones, relatively slow corners and repeated acceleration, placing particular emphasis on braking stability and traction. The opening section immediately establishes this stop-and-go rhythm, with several low- and medium-speed corners requiring accurate positioning and controlled exits.
The middle of the lap continues to alternate between acceleration and substantial braking before the circuit becomes more varied through its later sections. The approach to 90° Corner provides one of the principal overtaking opportunities, while the final sector combines stronger changes of direction with another demanding braking zone at Victory Corner before the run towards the finish.
Rather than relying on long sequences of flowing high-speed corners, Motegi’s challenge comes from repeatedly braking, rotating the vehicle and accelerating efficiently. Maintaining performance across these transitions rewards braking confidence, mechanical grip and traction, making consistency particularly important over a race distance.
| Corner |
|---|
| T1 174° · Right · 159 m |
| T2 101° · Left · 53 m |
| T3 087° · Left · 104 m |
| T4 128° · Right · 66 m |
| T5 027° · Right · 72 m |
| T6 035° · Right · 87 m |
| T7 085° · Left · 86 m |
| T8 117° · Right · 145 m |
| T9 132° · Left · 69 m |
| T10 178° · Right · 105 m |
| T11 103° · Right · 47 m |
| T12 044° · Left · 18 m |
| T13 068° · Left · 27 m |
| T14 112° · Right · 58 m |
Motegi occupies an important position in Japanese motorsport through its association with Honda, which developed the complex as both an international racing venue and a showcase for mobility and engineering. Since opening in 1997, it has brought major global championships to a region with relatively little previous international motorsport infrastructure.
The circuit is particularly associated with Grand Prix motorcycle racing, becoming a long-standing Japanese round of the Motorcycle World Championship and an important home event for Japan’s motorcycle manufacturers. Motegi has also hosted major automobile competition, including IndyCar and the Japanese Super GT championship, reflecting the breadth of its original concept.
Its wider significance extends beyond competition through the Honda Collection Hall and the engineering culture represented throughout the complex. Together, the circuit, museum and manufacturer connection make Motegi a meeting point between Japanese motorsport, industrial heritage and mobility engineering, giving the venue an identity broader than that of a conventional racetrack.
Visitor Experience
Mobility Resort Motegi offers far more than a conventional race weekend.
Visitors can explore the Honda Collection Hall, home to one of the world’s finest collections of Honda racing motorcycles, Formula One cars, IndyCars and production vehicles. The resort also features off-road driving experiences, karting, family attractions, forest activities and educational mobility programmes.
During MotoGP weekends, the atmosphere combines Japanese hospitality with passionate support for Honda and the country’s leading riders, creating one of Asia’s most welcoming motorsport festivals.
Climate
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rainfall mm | Rainy days | Daylight h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7° | −2° | 59 | 7 | 10.0 |
| February | 8° | −1° | 59 | 8 | 10.9 |
| March | 11° | 1° | 107 | 13 | 12.0 |
| April | 17° | 6° | 118 | 12 | 13.1 |
| May | 21° | 12° | 143 | 14 | 14.1 |
| June | 24° | 16° | 153 | 16 | 14.6 |
| July | 28° | 20° | 185 | 18 | 14.4 |
| August | 29° | 22° | 140 | 17 | 13.5 |
| September | 25° | 18° | 174 | 16 | 12.4 |
| October | 20° | 12° | 177 | 13 | 11.3 |
| November | 14° | 6° | 86 | 9 | 10.2 |
| December | 9° | 1° | 56 | 7 | 9.7 |
Monthly averages for Mobility Resort Motegi, 1991–2020.
Generated using Copernicus Climate Change Service information 2026 (CC BY 4.0).
Neither the European Commission nor ECMWF is responsible for any use that may be made of the Copernicus information or data it contains.
Location
Mobility Resort Motegi is located in Motegi, approximately 100 kilometres north-east of Tokyo.
Surrounded by forests and countryside, the venue offers a peaceful contrast to Japan’s major urban centres while remaining readily accessible by road and rail.
Address
120-1
321-3597 Motegi
Haga District, Tochigi
Japan
Website