Magarigawa Club: A Festival of Speed in Japan?

The extraordinary Magarigawa Club, located about 100 km south of Tokyo, has all it needs to become a hub for car enthusiasts in a country where automobiles are loved and followed with great interest. Just consider the fans at the Suzuka Formula 1 Grand Prix, who not only cheer for their favorite drivers but also dress in team colors and wear car-shaped headgear to honor their idols.

Japanese fans at the Suzuka Formula 1 Grand Prix wearing unique headgear to honor their favorite teams.

The Magarigawa Club, inaugurated just a year ago, is currently the opposite of a large public event. It was created to offer sports car enthusiasts, including classic car lovers, a track and a place where the joy of driving meets luxurious surroundings. Within the club area, luxurious villas with spacious garages have been sold, and the membership fee is so high that it is inevitably selective.

An aerial view of the Magarigawa Club, located about 100 kilometers south of Tokyo.

Is this approach too exclusive? Not really, if you know Japan, where discretion and respect are combined with a strong inclination to gather with like-minded individuals. In this case, the passion is accompanied by a wealth that is not hidden. The track was designed by the famous architect Hermann Tilke, who has designed several Formula 1 circuits worldwide. The layout is interesting and unusual, with 22 turns over a course of just over 3 km, featuring elevations worthy of a spectacular Touge Run. For those who remember Fast & Furious Tokyo Drift, this daring driving style involves dramatic drifts and counter-steering, providing a real spectacle on mountain roads.

Is there a connection between the Festival of Speed and the Magarigawa Club? Not yet, but it can't be ruled out that it might become something similar to what Charles March started in 1993, sparking a precious passion for automobiles.

Cars from all eras tackle the 22 turns of the Magarigawa Club, just like in a real touge run.