The Daikoku Legends JDM Travel Itinerary

Tue, Week 2, Day 7 | Shizuoka: Fuji Speedway, Fuji Motorsports Forest Welcome Center, Fuji Motorsports Museum

 

Latest start time: 7AM

​

If you're just visiting Fuji Speedway, you probably don't need to start off this early.  I had to get to Fuji Speedway by 9:00AM to start my course to get my Fuji Speedway Driving License for the Race Course!  ​​

​

I had a friend that organized everything for me, because I don't speak Japanese.  You maybe have to do the same, as the registration, the course, and instructions of driving on the course after are all conducted in Japanese only.  The driving license course materials did however come in an English booklet for me, which I was able to follow page by page to what they were showing on screen.  Now be respectful and stay quiet during the course, as everyone are listening closely and any loud conversations are discouraged (and disrespectful). 

​

The course finished at around 11:00AM.  And with that, I got my Fuji Speedway Driving License for the Race Course!

​

Now the course comes with a trial drive on the track, lapping around 3-4 times in a convoy arrangement with a lead car.  It was a rainy day for me, so the driving for the group had to be conservative.  But nonetheless, it was quite an experience to drive there for the first time.  And now with a Driving License, I can go back on their open track days to drive, without the entrance fee that I had to pay this time.

​

Lunch was right at the Fuji Speedway cafe, with a bit of gift shop browsing right after. 

​

Located just 5 min away, was my next stop to the Fuji Motorsports Forest Welcome Center.  It showcased various legendary race cars from Toyota: 

​

• Toyota Altezza (SXE10) that entered the 35th Nurburgring 24 Hours race

• The Castro Toyota Celica GT-Four (ST205)

• Toyota AE86 H2 Concept (hydrogen engine vehicle)

​

The center is connected to the Rookie Racing facility, where you can see their engineers work on the race cars from an overlook above.  But please, no photography and I respected that. 

​

And final stop for the day, just next to Fuji Motorsports Forest, was the Fuji Motorsports Museum, located right inside the Fuji Speedway Hotel.

​

One note first, is that this museum required a ticket.  Please check their website here for more information.  But it was definitely worth the price, where you can see the evolution of race cars and some of the signature race cars: 

​

• Mazda 787B

• Toyota TS050

• 2013 Nissan Nismo R35 GTR

• The Marlboro T. Makinen Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI

​

If the day was sunny, I would have gone to Hakone Turnpike and Izu Skyline for a short run with my Integra Type R DC2; but unfortunately, it was a spring rainy day.  I'd highly suggest going through Hakone Turnpike before heading back to Tokyo to make the best out of the day!

​