Lotus tents. A BBQ plan with s'mores. A forest path to an onsen. Go-karts, a zipline through the trees, and the sound of race engines in the distance. Motegi Mobility Resort is not your typical camping trip.

Most people know Twin Ring Motegi as a motorsports venue — home to MotoGP rounds and Super GT races in Tochigi Prefecture, about two hours north of Tokyo. What fewer people know is that the resort around it has quietly become one of the more unique glamping destinations in Japan. You can camp here. Sleep in a lotus tent. During the day you'll hear engines on the circuit — and at night, nothing but the forest.

I brought Jace and Maile for a September overnight — bullet train from Tokyo, rental car from Utsunomiya, and a two-day itinerary packed with more than any of us expected.

Jace and Maile standing on the Utsunomiya Shinkansen platform next to the green Hayabusa bullet train, luggage in hand
Utsunomiya Station — the green Hayabusa Shinkansen, Jace and Maile ready to go. The bullet train from Tokyo takes about 50 minutes.

Getting There

We took the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Utsunomiya — quick, comfortable, and one of those moments where the kids are reminded that Japan's train system operates on a different level. From Utsunomiya Station we picked up a rental car from Orix and drove about 45 minutes southeast through the Tochigi countryside toward Motegi.

As you get closer, the landscape changes — more forested, more open. And then you start to hear it. The faint but unmistakable sound of race engines in the distance. We arrived at the Mobility Resort Motegi entrance just after 3pm.

Twin Ring Motegi entrance sign seen from the car window mirror on approach
Pulling in — the Twin Ring Motegi entrance. The sound of cars on the circuit greets you before you even park.
The circular dark wood Mobility Resort Motegi welcome sign surrounded by greenery
Mobility Resort Motegi — the main glamping area entrance sign. Check-in was smooth and the staff was excellent.

The Glamping Area

The Forest and Starry Sky Camp Village sits within the resort grounds, separated from the main park. We were booked into the Lotus Tent Area — named for the distinctive petal-shaped canvas structures that dot the hillside. Pull up, and the whole setup reveals itself: private wooden decks, a covered outdoor dining area, a Weber grill, hammock, and a canvas tent that's considerably more comfortable than it looks from the outside.

The lotus glamping tent glowing with warm lights at dusk, Jace in the hammock, dramatic blue sky above
Dusk at the lotus tent — warm lights, Jace in the hammock, and a sky that makes you glad you made the trip.
The lotus tent exterior during daytime — Jace relaxing in the hammock on the wooden deck with mountain views behind
Our site — LW3. The deck had a Weber grill, covered dining area, hammock, and a view of the surrounding hills.
Two silhouettes visible through the translucent white canvas of the lotus tent, backlit by afternoon sun
Inside the tent from outside — the translucent canvas makes for great light during the day. This shot happened naturally.
Inside the lotus tent — two large beds with duvet covers, a bean bag chair, coffee table, and amenities laid out neatly
Inside the Lotus tent — actual beds with proper bedding, a kotatsu to gather around, and enough room to move around comfortably. Not roughing it.

The BBQ Plan

We pre-ordered the BBQ plan, which was the right call. Everything arrived at the site — the meat, vegetables, and all the supplies you need. The Weber grill on the deck does the work, and Jace took it seriously from the start. The full spread when it all came together was impressive for an outdoor meal at a campsite.

Jace grilling a large steak and vegetables on the Weber grill on the deck at the Motegi glamping site
Jace on grill duty. He didn't need much direction.
The full BBQ spread on a silver platter — steak, fish, corn, vegetables, mushrooms, bread all grilled together
The result. Steak, fish, corn, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, potatoes, bread. The BBQ plan delivers.
A large marshmallow being roasted on a skewer over glowing hot coals in a fire pit at night
The BBQ plan includes s'mores. The fire pit came with the site. Mandatory end to any good outdoor meal.

Night at Camp

After dinner, darkness settles over the camp village quickly. The lotus tents glow from inside with warm light, the trees above silhouette against the blue-hour sky, and the whole place takes on a different character. It's genuinely beautiful — and quiet in a way that's hard to find near Tokyo.

Jace and Maile standing in front of the lit-up Forest and Starry Sky Camp Village sign at night, with the Lotus tent area sign below
「森と星空のキャンプヴィレッジ」— Forest and Starry Sky Camp Village. Jace and Maile at the sign after a full day.
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The Onsen

One of the best surprises of the trip was Nozomi no Yu — an onsen facility within the resort grounds, reachable by a 5-7 minute walk through a wooded path at night. Having a proper Japanese onsen available at a glamping site is not something you expect, and it made a real difference. After a day of travel and a BBQ dinner, soaking in an indoor bath surrounded by Japanese aesthetic and service was exactly right.

The nighttime path through the woods leading to Nozomi no Yu onsen, lit by small ground lights
The forest path to Nozomi no Yu at night — a few minutes' walk from the tents, quiet and cool.
John, Jace, and Maile smiling for a selfie in front of the Nozomi no Yu onsen entrance sign
のぞみの湯 — Nozomi no Yu. Worth every minute of the walk. Indoor onsen, proper Japanese service.

Breakfast

Morning came with a breakfast box delivered to the site — a Japanese take on a camping breakfast, presented in a wooden crate and containing more than we expected. Jace was back on the grill for the bacon and toast portion. Maile focused on the fruit cups. Priorities.

The glamping breakfast box in a wooden crate — eggs, sausages, pasta, bread rolls, fruit cups, and assorted sides all neatly presented
The breakfast box — eggs, sausage, pasta, rolls, fruit, and more. Delivered to the site in a wooden crate. Breakfast sorted.
Jace grilling bacon on a portable grill on the deck in the morning with the breakfast spread visible on the table behind him
Jace, morning shift. Bacon and toast on the deck grill.
Jace and Maile sitting at the outdoor dining table inside the tent eating breakfast, both looking at the camera
Post-grill breakfast. Jace's expression is best described as satisfied. Maile is just happy to be there.
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Activities

Motegi Mobility Resort runs a full set of activities within the grounds — some connected to the motorsports heritage, others part of the outdoor adventure area. We hit all of them.

Activity 01
Musasabi Forest Walk & Zipline

The Musasabi course is a forest zip-line and rope walk that takes you through the treetops above the hillside. You're harnessed in the whole way, climbing rope ladders, crossing suspended walkways, and finishing with a zipline run over the canopy. The views from the top platform are outstanding — and then there's the giant swing.

Maile in a blue helmet crossing a suspended rope bridge ladder high in the trees on the Musasabi course at Motegi
Maile on the Musasabi rope course — harnessed in and making her way across the suspended walkway through the trees.
Jace and Maile in blue helmets sitting on a large carved wooden bench at the Musasabi course, pointing at the mountain views beyond
The view from the top platform. The carved bench is a nice touch. That horizon makes the climb worth it.
Person on a giant rope swing at the Musasabi course, swinging out over the hillside with the Twin Ring Motegi race circuit visible below
The giant swing at Musasabi — and yes, that's the Motegi race circuit below. One of the better backdrops for a swing you'll find anywhere in Japan.
Activity 02
Athletic Course Dokidoki

The Dokidoki athletic course is a multi-level wooden structure — a serious jungle gym for all ages, wrapped in tropical greenery and built tall enough that you're looking out over the resort from the top levels. It's physically demanding in the best way and the kids were thoroughly entertained.

The multi-story Dokidoki athletic course wooden structure covered in tropical plants, with people visible climbing inside
The Dokidoki athletic course — multiple floors of climbing, crawling, and navigating. More challenging than it looks and worth the effort.
Activity 03
Cart Racing

Fitting that a resort built around a race circuit offers proper cart racing. Two options — the Drift-S bumper-style carts for the younger crowd, and actual go-karts with Honda engines for the more serious drivers. Jace suited up in a full helmet and was clearly not taking it casually. Maile chose her cart strategically — car #5.

Maile standing proudly next to her red Drift-S cart number 5 at the Motegi cart racing track
Maile and car #5. The Drift-S carts can spin 360 degrees — surprisingly technical for their size.
Jace in a white Arai helmet sitting in a Honda-powered go-kart on the Motegi circuit, ready to race
Jace in the actual go-kart — Honda engine, Arai helmet, Bridgestone tyres. He was ready before we finished the safety briefing.
The Twin Ring Motegi main race track and grandstands from the spectator seating area, cars lined up on the straight with mountains beyond
The main Twin Ring Motegi circuit from the grandstands — this is where MotoGP and Super GT happen. Seeing it in person puts the scale of the place into perspective.

Trip Quick Info

ResortMobility Resort Motegi (formerly Twin Ring Motegi)
LocationMotegi, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan
GlampingForest and Starry Sky Camp Village — Lotus Tent Area
From TokyoShinkansen to Utsunomiya (~50 min) + car rental (~45 min drive)
Car RentalOrix Rent-a-Car, Utsunomiya Station
OnsenNozomi no Yu — indoor, 5-7 min walk through the resort grounds
ActivitiesMusasabi zipline, Dokidoki athletic course, cart racing, and more
BBQ PlanPre-order recommended — includes all supplies, s'mores included

What We'd Do Again

Pre-book the BBQ plan — it's the centerpiece of the evening and worth having everything delivered to your site.
Walk to the onsen at night — the forest path in the dark is a highlight on its own. Bring a light just in case.
Get the activity tickets early — some activities have limited spots, especially the go-karts and Musasabi course on weekends.
Rent a car — public transit to Motegi is possible but slow. The car gives you flexibility and the drive through Tochigi is pleasant.
Stay two nights if possible — one day isn't enough to do everything comfortably. We wished we had more time.
Location Mobility Resort Motegi, Tochigi, Japan
Mobility Resort Motegi — Motegi-machi, Haga-gun, Tochigi Prefecture Get Directions →
Japan Glamping Motegi Tochigi Family Travel Onsen Go-Karts Utsunomiya Shinkansen