Honda's Complete Story: Innovation Through Racing
Honda Collection Hall represents Honda's engineering philosophy made physical—from Soichiro Honda's first motorized bicycles (1948) to current hybrid supercars and humanoid robots. Over 300 vehicles spanning 75+ years show how one principle drives everything: engineering joy through innovation.
The museum sits at Twin Ring Motegi, Honda's racing circuit 120km from Touge Town. This location creates unique synergy: study Honda's history, watch current racing, drive the circuit yourself. Three floors chronicle motorcycles, production cars, F1 machines, technology breakthroughs. Free admission. Budget 2-4 hours depending on depth.
Racing validates engineering: Honda competed in Formula 1 (6 constructor championships 1984-1991), MotoGP (25+ rider championships), Isle of Man TT (multiple wins). Technologies developed for competition—VTEC from F1 pneumatic valves, lightweight materials from NSX racing—flow directly to production cars. The Collection Hall displays this feedback loop tangibly.
What makes Honda unique: Most Japanese automakers started with practical post-war transportation. Honda began with motorcycles and racing, entering cars later (1963) while maintaining competition obsession. This shows in VTEC's 9000 RPM capability, S2000's perfectly-weighted shifter, NSX's handling purity. Honda doesn't build appliances—they build experiences.
Three Floors of Automotive Heritage
Start 3rd floor (origins), descend through 2nd floor (expansion), finish 1st floor (modern/future). Total space: ~8,000 square meters. Recommended minimum 2 hours; serious enthusiasts need 4-5 hours.
3rd Floor — Motorcycle Origins (1946-1970s): Honda's first products: Type A motorized bicycle (1946), Dream D-Type (1949 first production motorcycle), Super Cub C100 (1958, 100+ million sold globally). Racing motorcycles dominate: RC142 (1959 Isle of Man TT debut), RC166 six-cylinder 250cc (18,000 RPM, technological marvel), CB750 Four (1969, first mass-production superbike). Cutaway engines show cam profiles, piston designs, transmission gearing.
2nd Floor — Automobile Era (1960s-1990s): N360 minicar (1967), S600/S800 roadsters (1960s). Civic evolution: CVCC (1972 emissions pioneer), CRX Si (1984), EF Civic SiR (1987 B16A VTEC debut). Integra Type R DC2 (1995), NSX NA1 (1990), S2000 AP1 (1999 F20C 9000 RPM motor). VTEC Technology Section includes working cutaway B16A engine demonstrating cam profile switching—this alone justifies museum visit.
1st Floor — Modern Technology (2000s-present): Civic Type R FK8 (2017 Nürburgring FWD record), NSX NC1 (2016 hybrid supercar), Clarity Fuel Cell (hydrogen). F1 section: Senna's McLaren-Honda MP4/5 (actual 1989 championship car), engines, telemetry. ASIMO robotics with live demonstrations (check schedule). Temporary exhibitions rotate every 3-6 months covering specific themes.
Must-See Exhibits
Ayrton Senna's McLaren MP4/5 (1989): The actual F1 car Senna drove to his second World Championship. Honda RA109E V10 producing 685hp at 13,500 RPM. Carbon fiber monocoque: 505kg. Won Monaco, Spa, Suzuka. Not a replica—the championship-winning machine.
NSX NA1 "Prototype Zero": Pre-production development mule tested by Ayrton Senna during 1989 development sessions at Suzuka. His feedback: "Make it stiffer"—led to chassis reinforcements. Shows visible differences from production NSX: prototype headlights, early interior, experimental suspension. The car that became legendary before production.
S2000 AP1 F20C Cutaway Engine: Working sectioned display of 2.0L producing 250hp (125 hp/L naturally-aspirated record). Shows VTEC mechanism, 9000 RPM rotating assembly, titanium rods, precision crankshaft. Video loops startup → VTEC engagement → redline with synchronized visualization. Mechanical symphony made visible.
Honda RC166 Six-Cylinder 250cc (1966): Six cylinders, 24 valves, 18,000 RPM redline when competitors had two cylinders at 8,000 RPM. Produced 60hp from 250cc (240 hp/L). Mike Hailwood rode this to three world championships. Cutaway reveals miniature engineering absurdity. Proves Honda's ambition exceeded rational limits—and succeeded.
Super Cub C100 (1958): Serial number 0042—one of first production units. Modest compared to F1 cars but Honda's most important vehicle: 100+ million sold (more than any motor vehicle in history). Reliable 50cc four-stroke, automatic clutch, step-through design. The vehicle that built Honda globally.
Motorcycle Legacy: Honda's Foundation
Honda started as motorcycle manufacturer (1948)—cars came 15 years later. Collection Hall dedicates major space to two-wheelers because motorcycles made Honda what it is.
Super Cub phenomenon: Launched 1958, revolutionized global transportation. Four-stroke engine (cleaner than two-strokes), automatic clutch (anyone could ride), step-through frame (accessible to women in dresses—critical 1950s market expansion). Marketing: "You meet the nicest people on a Honda" repositioned motorcycles from rebellious to respectable. Result: 65+ years in continuous production.
Racing heritage: Honda entered Isle of Man TT in 1954 with zero experience, crashed, returned annually until 1961 victories. Display includes RC142 (first entry), RC143 (1961 winner), RC166 (six-cylinder marvel). Videos show period footage with 18,000+ RPM screaming engines.
CB750 Four impact (1969): First mass-production four-cylinder motorcycle, front disc brake, electric starter, 120+ km/h, affordable price (¥385,000 / ~$1,000 USD). Killed Britain's motorcycle industry overnight, established Japanese dominance. Museum's CB750: mint original with 300km mileage, garage-queened since 1970.
Technology: VTEC, ASIMO & Beyond
ASIMO Humanoid Robot: Honda's bipedal robot development (1986-2018). Museum displays evolution: early prototypes walking awkwardly → later versions running, climbing stairs, kicking soccer balls. Live demonstrations 3-4 times daily: ASIMO walks, waves, demonstrates balance recovery. Why robots? Soichiro Honda's philosophy: engineering should serve society beyond transportation.
VTEC Evolution: Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control—single engine performing as economy motor (low RPM) and performance engine (high RPM). Traces VTEC from 1989 B16A through K20A, F20C, to modern turbo implementations. Cutaway engines show cam profile differences requiring 0.01mm precision tolerances.
Hybrid Technology: Honda's IMA (Integrated Motor Assist)—simpler/lighter than Toyota's complex planetary gears. Includes Insight (1999, 70+ MPG), Clarity Fuel Cell (hydrogen), NSX NC1 (573hp triple-motor hybrid). Honda's approach: hybrids should enhance performance AND efficiency.
HondaJet Aviation: HA-420 light business jet (2015) with unique over-wing engine mount reducing cabin noise. Full-scale engine nacelle and cockpit mock-up. Shows Honda's willingness to enter completely new industries if engineering challenge justifies it.
Twin Ring Motegi: Museum + Circuit Integration
Museum location at Twin Ring Motegi creates unique combination—experiencing history, then driving roads where that history continues. This is intentional strategic positioning.
Circuit opportunities: Twin Ring Motegi includes 2.4km oval (SuperSpeedway, IndyCar) and 4.8km road course (MotoGP, SuperGT, Super Formula). You can lap this circuit yourself during "Circuit Safari" track days (¥15,000-30,000): drive your own car with professional instruction, timing equipment. Events run monthly. Imagine: touring NSX history, then driving your car on the circuit where SuperGT NSX-GT competes.
MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix: Annual October event draws 80,000+ fans. Combine race weekend with museum: practice → museum tour → qualifying → museum deep-dive → race. See current RC213V bikes racing while standing next to 1960s RC166 in museum—past and present converge.
SuperGT & Super Formula: Race at Motegi 2-3 times annually. Tickets cheaper (¥3,000-8,000), less crowded, excellent paddock access. Museum exhibits complement current racing perfectly.
Visiting Guide: Practical Information
From Touge Town: 120km east via Kitakanto Expressway → Route 123, 90-minute drive. Depart 8:00 AM to arrive 9:30 when museum opens. Free parking (space for 50,000+ race attendees). Alternative: train to Moka Station (2 hours with transfers) + taxi 20km (¥4,000-5,000)—car strongly preferred.
Admission & hours: Free admission (unusual for this quality). Hours: 9:30-17:00 daily except race days (extended) and winter Tuesdays (maintenance—check website). No reservation required. Budget 2-3 hours minimum; enthusiasts need 4-5 hours.
Language: All major placards bilingual Japanese/English. Video content Japanese with English subtitles. Staff speak functional English. Free smartphone audio guide app (download, connects via QR codes, provides detailed English narration). Fully wheelchair accessible.
Photography: Allowed throughout for personal use (no flash). Video recording permitted. Social media sharing encouraged. Some temporary exhibitions prohibit photography—check signage.
Time-limited priorities (90 min): 3rd floor RC166 + Super Cub, 2nd floor VTEC cutaway + Integra Type R, 1st floor Senna's MP4/5 + ASIMO demonstration. Covers motorcycles, technology, racing, robotics—core Honda DNA condensed.
Best timing: Weekdays 10:00-15:00 = lightest crowds (except Japanese holidays). Weekends busier but manageable except race weekends. Winter (December-February) quietest. Spring (late March-April cherry blossoms) and autumn (October-November fall colors) offer pleasant weather.
Gift shop: Sells Honda/HRC merchandise (shirts, scale models, books), vintage reproduction parts, circuit gear. Prices ¥1,500-8,000 mostly. Unique finds: VTEC technical posters (¥2,500), ASIMO plush (¥3,000), Senna MP4/5 diecast (¥12,000).
The experience: Not passive museum—it's engineering education through artifacts. Cutaway engines teaching VTEC operation, race footage showing technology under stress, ASIMO demonstrating robotics. You leave understanding how Honda thinks, not just what Honda built. For enthusiasts appreciating engineering over brand mythology, this is essential pilgrimage.