General
Visiting Japan's GP: This is your travel guide!
- Ludo van Denderen
For years it was almost impossible to get a ticket for the Japanese Grand Prix because of the high ticket demand. Things have improved slightly since then, but nevertheless, the Japanese continue to love motor sports and Formula 1 in particular. Visiting the Japanese Grand Prix is a must for any F1 fan. This is your travel guide to this historic race.
Where and when is the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix?
On 22, 23 and 24 September, Formula 1 will visit Suzuka. As many as 155,000 spectators a day could populate the stands around the 5.807-kilometre track. The circuit is owned by Honda.
How do you travel to the Japan GP?
The Japanese Grand Prix is held in Inou (Suzuka City), with the nearest airport in Nagoya. Mainly domestic flights reach this airport, although international flights also go to places in Asia (e.g. Singapore). Most international travellers arrive in Japan via airports in Tokyo and Osaka. From there, it is possible to take a domestic flight or a high-speed train to Nagoya.
From Nagoya, it is about eighty kilometres south to reach the circuit. The best way to reach the circuit is by train. Make sure you get on the right train, as there are quite a few connections and ov providers from Nagoya to other places in the country. In any case, the best option is the Kintetsu train straight to Shiroko station. There are shuttle buses to the circuit - which take about 15 minutes to travel. It is also possible to travel to Suzuka Circuit Inou Station, but then several transfers are necessary. Moreover, the train ride takes 2.5 hours rather than 100 minutes.
Where to stay during the Japan GP?
It is recommended to book a hotel in Nagoya during the race weekend. There are plenty of affordable and good accommodation options. Staying closer to the circuit is usually tricky. There are few hotels, and they are generally fully booked by the F1 teams and the organisers.
For the adventurous: unlike the European Grands Prix, Japan has no campsites for F1 fans.
What do tickets for the Japan GP cost?
2023 will mark the first time since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic that international fans will have the chance to attend the Japanese Grand Prix. Tickets usually go on sale about four months before the start of the race and thus sell out quickly. Prices are very acceptable: starting from around £55 (63 euros), you already have a grandstand seat for three days. The better the place, the more expensive the ticket, of course.