Hi guys,

I'm heading to Tokyo in September for around 10 days, and wanted some advice on cool car-related things to see. I've been to Tokyo four times in the past, but the only car-thing I've ever done is visit the Honda Welcome Plaza in Aoyama.

I know that I should go see the Honda Collection Museum in Motegi this time around, and was hoping for any tips and/or directions.

I was also hoping to get some insight on other places to visit.

Thanks in advance!

(btw, this post is mirrored on several sub-forums).

 

There's a Super GT race at Motegi on Sept 4th, which I might go to myself with wife/kids (so will take the MPV, leaving the S2000 at home)

Most of this is in japanese: http://www.supergt.net/jp/
but it might give you some ideas

kevin

 

Even if there is no race scheduled at motegi, you should visit. I just made a visit there in late July.
There's several attractions and things to do, what's available the day you go is just up to your luck. You can check the Motegi circuit website or call them if you want to be sure before you make the trip, since it's about a 2 hour drive from Tokyo and the only way to get their is by road transportation. (car or taxi) I think you might find some tour bus, we saw a group of visitors from China in one.

One of the cool things you can do there is to take a ride in their "stock car". It's really not a stock car, it's a custom made rwd chassis with a V6 from the RL-Legend. It will still hit 150 on the oval and the G experience is just awesome. The fee is somewhat expensive (7500 yen for 5 laps, their driver). The low price alternative is to take the NSX. Its 4200 yen for 6 laps, it's probably not going to top 125 on the straightaway, but it sounds quieter going around.
The "road course experience" is also offered, your choice of rides being the NSX and a Integra Type-R (RSX-R).

It just so happens that the road course was being used by Super GT teams for testing. We saw several teams like the Nismo Z and ADVAN-Eclipse Supra. (The Supra is really loud at full throttle).

Topping things off was the visit to the Honda History Museum, seeing bikes like Freddie's NSR500 just filled me with emotion.

I wish I had pictures to post, unfortunately my Digicam was broken on this trip.

If you do go on a race weekend, prepare to stand in some really long lines, inside and outside the track. I didn't see much in the way of concessions, I suppose there will be some concession carts wheeled in on race weekends.
Outside, there's not a lot of roads leading to the circuit, and they are all narrow by US standards.

Closer to Tokyo, you can visit the MegaWeb at Daiba, where they have the Toyota History Garage,
complete with a 2000GT, the GT-one and several of the TF10x's. (one of each year).

enjoy the trip.

 

Also, the MotoGP race is September 18. maybe hard to get tickets, but it's worth a look.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I actually got tickets to the Japan GT race taking place at Motegi on the 4th. I'll also swing by the Honda Collection Hall while over there.

Other than that, I'll probably swing by the Welcome Plaza in Aoyama again, as well as Toyota in Odaiba and Ikebukuro, as well as Autobacs by the bay.

 

Sorry to say I won't be attending the Super GT at Motegi (business trip), but I did drive my S around there in April. I think that was one of the last Honda-run events for S2000/Integras there, as from now I heard they are enforcing the "must have a roll-cage" rule unless you are actually taking part in the Honda driving school.

The nice thing about Motegi is there are wide run-off areas, which a few of the other S drivers that day needed! (scaring the pooh out of my wife who thought it was me spinning-off). I was far too slow to even make the tires squeal let alone spin off - but it was my first track day and an experience I won't forget.

I agree that Motegi is also not that easy to get to without a car... and will take 2 hours from Tokyo on a normal day. On a race day that time could stretch into the next century

kevin

 

clubbing!