2026 MotoGP™ Grand Prix of Japan Viewing Guide | Experience the World’s Premier Motorcycle Race in a Forest Resort!

The MotoGP™ Grand Prix of Japan consists of three classes: MotoGP™, Moto2™, and Moto3™.
In the premier MotoGP™ class, 1000cc machines race at speeds of over 300 km/h.
The racing course at Mobility Resort Motegi is 4.8 km long and is known for its technical layout, featuring 90-degree corners and consecutive hairpins.
The braking duels and dramatic cornering angles unfolding right in front of you are truly spectacular.
Only at the circuit can you fully feel the speed, vibration, and engine roar that cannot be conveyed through video alone.

The MotoGP™ Grand Prix of Japan is an important home race for Japanese manufacturers such as Honda and Yamaha.
As a key round that draws global attention, the venue is filled with a uniquely electric atmosphere.
In recent years, expectations have also been rising for the performances of Japanese riders.
Being able to cheer on Japanese riders up close on home soil is one of the event’s biggest draws.
Combined with the cheers from the stands and the sense of unity throughout the venue, it creates a level of excitement that can only be experienced in person.

The MotoGP™ Grand Prix of Japan is often held late in the season, making it a crucial round that can shape the outcome of the championship battle.
There have already been several occasions when the champion was decided at Mobility Resort Motegi, and Marc Marquez alone secured the title there four times.
Even in recent years, the event has continued to serve as the setting for memorable championship-deciding moments.
Depending on how the season unfolds, you may even witness the crowning of the world champion right before your eyes.
Alongside the intensity of the racing, the unique feeling that this very race could become part of history is another special appeal of the Japanese Grand Prix.

Public transportation around Mobility Resort Motegi is limited, so traveling by car is a convenient option that gives you more freedom to move around.
Driving from the airports in a rental car is also common.
It takes about 2 hours from Narita Airport, about 2 hours 45 minutes from Haneda Airport, and about 1 hour 10 minutes from Ibaraki Airport.
The venue is also accessible in about 50 minutes from the Moka IC on the Tohoku Expressway and about 40 minutes from the Mito-Kita Smart IC on the Joban Expressway.

When setting your car navigation system, it is best to enter Mobility Resort Motegi together with either the South Gate or the North Gate for smoother access. During the Japanese Grand Prix period, please follow the guidance of event staff when entering the venue.

If you are using public transportation, the most convenient option is the reservation-only shuttle bus Motegi GP Express, which operates from major stations.
Travel time is about 3 hours from Tokyo Station and Shinjuku Station, about 2 hours 20 minutes from Tsukuba Station, and about 70 minutes from Utsunomiya Station.
Another convenient route is to travel from Narita Airport to Utsunomiya Station by the Marronnier highway bus, or from Haneda Airport by airport limousine bus, and then transfer to Motegi GP Express.
As heavy congestion is expected during the event period, be sure to reserve Motegi GP Express in advance.

Ahead of the main MotoGP™ Grand Prix of Japan event, the official pre-event MotoGP™ in Tokyo is held.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that the main event begins with MotoGP™ in Tokyo, as it helps build excitement from central Tokyo before race weekend.
Programs include rider talk shows, giving fans a chance to interact with the riders they support at close range.
It is a valuable opportunity to build excitement even before the racing begins.
Be sure to check the official website for 2026 details.

During the event period, a variety of programs are held as part of MotoGP™ Night Live.
In addition to rider talk shows, there are live performances by artists, making the hours outside the races just as enjoyable.
Race highlights, review talks, and DJ stages also help create an exciting atmosphere throughout the entire venue.

Pick up food and drinks, then head to Over Night Square, the fan gathering area.
One of the great pleasures of the event is talking about the afterglow of the day’s racing with fans who have gathered from all over Japan.
Over Night Square is held on Friday and Saturday nights and is popular as a place for fan interaction.
It is a nighttime experience not to be missed if you want to enjoy more than just the races.

With certain tickets, you can enter the paddock area and experience the riders and teams up close.
HERO WALK offers the chance to interact with riders in a special area, and seeing the real work of the staff is also part of the appeal.
Enjoy an extraordinary experience that includes the behind-the-scenes atmosphere you normally would never get to see.

During the event period, many food trucks gather at the venue, offering local gourmet specialties centered on Tochigi and a selection of craft beers.
It is a popular spot where you can eat and take a break between races.
The open-air atmosphere makes the race-viewing experience even more enjoyable.

A shopping area appears inside the venue selling official goods and event-exclusive items.
The lineup includes merchandise for your favorite riders and commemorative items that can only be purchased here.
It is a popular spot both for souvenirs and for memorable keepsakes from your visit.

Camping areas are also available, allowing you to enjoy both race viewing and overnight stays at the same time.
There are two styles to choose from: MotoGP™ FOREST RIDER’S CAMP, where you can fully enjoy nature in the forest, and Hello Woods Premium Camp, which comes with added special experiences.
During the MotoGP™ Grand Prix of Japan period, use of the adjacent hotel is restricted, so if you stay on site, sleeping in your car or in a tent is the standard option.
Camping is also available in the N5 parking area, where Over Night Square is held, on Friday and Saturday only.
Another appeal is the chance to spend time interacting with fellow fans.
Being able to stay overnight while still immersed in the excitement of the race means you can start enjoying the event again from early the next morning.
Rather than going home after watching the race, stay on site and experience the full appeal of the event on a deeper level.

This museum opened in 1998 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Honda’s founding.
After 25 years, it was renewed in March 2024 and transformed into a story-based exhibition space that introduces products through four chapters, each representing a different era.
Inside, you will find displays of Honda’s signature products, including racing machines.
The exhibits also explain why those products were developed and the historical background of their times.
Highlights include hands-on experiences such as assembling an electric kart and boarding the life-size interior mock-up of the small business jet HondaJet Elite II.

During the MotoGP™ Grand Prix of Japan period, special events are also held at Honda Collection Hall, such as engine start demonstrations of machines that won races in the past.
With a race ticket, you can enter Honda Collection Hall with no additional charge.
If you want to take your time exploring, it is best to arrive early and visit before the racing begins.

In the park area themed around the forest next to the racing course, you will find a wide variety of attractions.
Highlights include Maze Palace in the Wood, ITADAKI, a five-story three-dimensional maze inspired by a forest ecosystem, and Athletic Course in the Wood, DOKIDOKI, a tree-climbing style athletic attraction, as well as car and bike attractions that children as young as three can operate.
These attractions let you move your body and play in the great outdoors.
Another major attraction of the resort is that it also functions as a stay-oriented destination, with forest athletics, activities to enjoy in nature, and glamping facilities.

At the popular attraction Moto Racer, which MotoGP™ riders have also experienced, both children and adults can challenge themselves in a mini-bike time attack.
There is also Off-Road Touring RINDO BIKE, where you can enjoy an off-road bike experience on a course that sparks your spirit of adventure.
These are just some of the many activities you can enjoy in nature.

Hello Woods, which spreads across the grounds, has been selected as a “30by30” site for biodiversity conservation.
In the forest, visitors can enjoy experiences such as Animal Research Laboratory, where they observe living creatures, and Forest Family Walk TEKUTEKU, where they take on a bingo-card challenge featuring nine animals illustrated at random.
Enjoy connecting with nature together with your children.

One of Tochigi’s classic sightseeing destinations is the Nikko area, famous for Nikko Toshogu Shrine, a World Heritage site.
If you go a little farther, you can also enjoy natural attractions such as Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls.
It is an unmissable area where history and nature can be experienced together.

Convenient as an access hub, Utsunomiya is an area where you can enjoy both gourmet food and urban sightseeing.
It is known above all for its famous gyoza, and the area around Utsunomiya Station is also full of restaurants and shopping spots.
It works well either as a place to drop by at night or as a base for your stay.
It is an easy city to combine with watching the MotoGP™ Grand Prix of Japan.

If you want to enjoy local culture in a calmer atmosphere, head to Mashiko.
It is known as one of Japan’s leading pottery towns and the home of Mashiko ware, with streets lined by galleries and shops.
You can enjoy visiting cafes, choosing pottery, and even trying pottery-making experiences that are popular with visitors.

In contrast to the intensity of the races, time passes here at a slower, more relaxed pace.