Just like the Japan GP event area! "MotoGP Fan Fest Tokyo" brings together Bagnaia, Ogura Ai, and more

On Wednesday, September 30, 2026, "MotoGP Fan Fest Tokyo" was held at Bellesalle Akihabara in Akihabara, Tokyo.
This official promotional event took place just before the "2026 FIM MotoGP™ World Championship Series Round 16 MOTUL Grand Prix of Japan," which will be held at Mobility Resort Motegi in Tochigi Prefecture from Friday, October 2 to Sunday, October 4. A total of 11 riders competing in MotoGP™, Moto2™, and Moto3™ appeared at the venue.
In addition to talk shows, there were displays of racing machines and booths from various manufacturers, creating an atmosphere in Akihabara, Tokyo, as if the event plaza usually found at the circuit during the Japan GP had been transported directly to the city. It was an event where fans could feel the excitement of the Japan GP a little early.

The Japan GP event area appears in Akihabara!

The venue was Bellesalle Akihabara, located near JR Akihabara Station. The event was held from 12:00 to 19:00, utilizing the first-floor hall/event space and the basement floor hall.
Upon arriving at the venue, the first thing I felt was a unique sense of excitement, despite being in a place completely different from a circuit, with the Japan GP just around the corner.
Inside the venue, visuals of racing machines and riders were lined up, and many fans wearing team apparel and rider merchandise could be seen.

It is quite fresh to see world championship machines and riders gathered in Akihabara, which is usually bustling as an electronics district. Even though it was a weekday in the city center, once you stepped into the venue, it felt as if the race week had already begun.

Racing machines up close! Manufacturer booths are also well-stocked

Special PR booths for Honda and YAMAHA appeared on the first floor.
The Honda booth displayed the Honda HRC Castrol-colored NSF250R and NSF100, where visitors could actually sit on them and enjoy taking commemorative photos. Meanwhile, the YAMAHA booth featured a lean angle experience using the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™-colored YZR-M1 and a display of the NMAX paddock scooter.

Being able to carefully observe machines that are hard to see up close at the circuit is a unique benefit of fan events.

Special exhibition of Ogura Ai's racing suit

Not only machines but also exhibits related to the riders were held at the venue.
The Kushitani exhibit featured a special display of the racing suit used by Ogura Ai, who has been supported by the brand since 2017, during the 2026 season.
In addition to the suit based on the traditional Gulf blue, a special design prepared for the Round 3 Americas GP was also on display.

Unlike the machines, the racing suit allows you to feel the rider's physique and the reality of the gear used in actual racing.
Since you can check fine details that are hard to notice through a screen, it was an exhibit that race fans would want to spend time looking at.

Riders competing globally gather in Akihabara! "Meet the Riders"

And a major highlight of the day was the rider appearance stage, "Meet the Riders."
From 16:00, Mitani Zen, Yamanaka Ryusei, Furisato Taiyo, Sasaki Ayumu, and Diogo Moreira took the stage in order.
Following them, Luca Marini, Fabio Di Giannantonio, Alex Marquez, Francesco Bagnaia, Fabio Quartararo, and Ogura Ai made their appearance.

While riders are often seen at the circuit in helmets and racing suits, the stage offered a glimpse into their true personalities and characters.
Every time a rider appeared, loud cheers erupted from the venue, and the fans' anticipation for the upcoming Japan GP rose all at once. Being able to feel the individuality of each rider through the expressions and talk they show on stage is also unique to such events.

Merchandise sales and interactive content on the basement floor

Various booths were also set up on the basement floor.
In addition to exhibitors like MOTUL, TISSOT, Aprilia, and NTV G+, official merchandise for the Japan GP and various manufacturers were also sold.
Furthermore, the "Real Riding Simulator 2X FREEDOM" appeared, allowing users to enjoy a game while sitting on actual production sports bikes, the YAMAHA "YZF-R9" and the Honda "CBR1000RR-R."

From seeing machines and riders to purchasing merchandise and enjoying interactive content, just walking through the venue was well worth it. It was a space where not only MotoGP™ fans but also people who happened to visit Akihabara and learned about the event could come into contact with the world of racing.

From Akihabara to the stage at Motegi! The Japan GP opens on October 2

"MotoGP Fan Fest Tokyo" brought together riders, racing machines, and many fans.
Although it was not an event where the race itself took place, walking through the venue, I could feel the excitement gradually building up ahead of the Japan GP.
What left a particularly strong impression was being able to see the riders competing in the world championship so closely in the heart of Tokyo.
It was an event that allowed people to feel the charm of MotoGP™ and the presence of the riders in a different way than at the circuit.
And next, it is finally time for Mobility Resort Motegi.
The "2026 FIM MotoGP™ World Championship Series Round 16 MOTUL Grand Prix of Japan" will be held from Friday, October 2 to Sunday, October 4.
The excitement that grew in Akihabara will continue directly to Motegi this weekend.
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