If you were a billionaire, what would you splurge on? A luxury yacht? A private island? Or perhaps a mega-mansion? For one Japanese billionaire, the answer was a £160 million private racetrack built into the side of a mountain.
Located in the picturesque Chiba Prefecture, just an hour outside Tokyo, the Magarigawa Club is an exclusive, members-only racetrack that overlooks the breathtaking landscapes of Mt. Fuji and Tokyo Bay. Opened on 29 July 2023, this high-end automotive playground was designed by renowned F1 circuit designer Hermann Tilke and is the first private racetrack in Asia.
A Track Like No Other
Spanning 2.17 miles, the Magarigawa track features 22 corners, with about 20 percent of the circuit running uphill and 16 percent downhill. It also boasts an impressive 800-metre straightaway, providing the ultimate thrill for car enthusiasts.
With a layout carefully crafted for both high-speed excitement and leisurely cruising, the track caters to drivers of all skill levels. Whether a seasoned racer or a weekend driving enthusiast, Magarigawa offers an unmatched experience.
More Than Just a Racetrack
But the billionaire behind this ambitious project didn’t stop at just building a racetrack. The Magarigawa Club is an ultra-luxurious facility offering much more than just a driving experience. The site includes:
- A climate-controlled indoor pit lane staffed by professional mechanics.
- A state-of-the-art gym for fitness enthusiasts.
- An infinity pool with stunning mountain views.
- A fine-dining restaurant serving exquisite cuisine.
- A private karaoke room for entertainment.
The vision behind this world-class facility? The billionaire simply wanted a place where he, his wife, and their two daughters could enjoy driving in a safe and private environment. Not finding anything suitable, he did what only the ultra-wealthy can do—built his own dream track.
A Racetrack Fit for Legends
Even motorsport experts are impressed. In a feature for Top Gear Magazine, automotive journalist Tom Brown took a spin around Magarigawa in a 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS—his dream car. Describing the experience as unparalleled, Brown speculated that Magarigawa could be “the greatest private racetrack in the world.”
A Billionaire’s Dream, A Car Enthusiast’s Fantasy
For those with deep pockets and a love for high-performance driving, Magarigawa represents the ultimate luxury. It’s an invitation-only club, meaning only a select few get to experience the thrill of this one-of-a-kind racetrack.
So, if you ever find yourself daydreaming about what you’d do with billions, just remember—some people buy supercars, and others build entire racetracks in the mountains.