A Day at Suzuka Circuit Park Japan
Car Racing culture in Japan
Some people have a dream to visit every Disneyland in the world, but one of my dreams is to visit different race circuits. Same same but different vibe I guess? 😜 Japan is really well known for its car racing culture and enthusiasts. Japanese car brands are also popular in the world and they develop sports line for the brand like Nismo for Nissan and Mugen for Honda as well as Honda Racing. F1 is not the only race held here, but there are also Super GT series, Super Taikyu, All Japan Sports Prototype Championship, and many more. Suzuka is only one of the many circuits in Japan, but since it is the place where Japan F1 Grand Prix is located, it has an international standard. Another circuits in Japan are Fuji Speedway, Mobility Resort Motegi, Okayama International Circuit, Autopolis, Tsukuba, and several others.
During my last trip to Japan, I had a chance to travel to different city and prefecture, which is Suzuka in mie prefecture. It was my first time visiting the prefecture. Coming from a busy city of Tokyo, Mie seems to be very quiet and serene. I guess it can be a bit crowded during the F1 season, but it is honestly a great time to explore the area.
How to go to Suzuka Circuit
Reaching Suzuka Circuit is quite easy! From Tokyo I took a shinkansen to Nagoya, which you can save by buying a JR pass. Then from Nagoya station I took a Kintetsu line train to Shiroko Station (you can take the Ise-Shima liner or the urban liner). Upon arriving at Shiroko station, wait at a bus stop that will take you straight to Suzuka Circuit! I stayed overnight in Nagoya specifically to do this trip and I think it is quite easy to navigate!
Suzuka Circuit Park and Ticket Cost
I bought the Suzuka ticket and park passport through Klook and it costs $30 (you can use my code STYLEFRONTIER for discount in Klook!) If you are also travelling and would like to try more attractions in Nagoya, Shizuoka, Mie, and Gifu, you can get the Nagoya Klook Pass to save. The highlight of Suzuka Circuit is of course the track itself. If you have an international license, you can also drive in the circuit with your own car and beat your own lap time.
Things to do in Suzuka Circuit Park
Aside from the track, Suzuka offers a lovely theme park for adult and kids as well, so it is actually a perfect day trip for a family too! You can find, jet coaster, ferris wheel, go kart, and many more. All the rides are automotive theme so it is quite unique. There are also an area for younger children to enjoy. One ride that I was eyeing for was the Circuit Challenger which allows you to play go kart in the real Suzuka Circuit track!
There are also several mini restaurants throughout the park, I had spaghetti and fries for lunch at the Course Side Pizzeria overlooking the race track. I'm not actually a fan of food in theme parks, but the food is surprisingly good. Automotive fans can bring various goodies and souvenirs with Suzuka Circuit park form collectibles to food. There are several shops that sell collectibles like the F1 team or the Super GT team merchandises as well as some car lego and car die casts. Of course I also snatched a tomica to add to my little collection!
Honda Racing Gallery
Recently open in 2024 during the F1 Japanese Grand Prix, Honda Racing Gallery exhibits successive generations of Honda race machines, engines and power units that actually competed in races, mostly in F1 races for which in 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of Honda’s very first competition in a F1 race. At the moment, Honda is supporting the Oracle Red Bull Racing Team with drivers Max Verstappen (F1 Champion 2024) and Sergio Perez, as well as Visa Cash App RB Formula One team with drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo. The Gallery is designed with black as a basic color tone and places spotlights on each machine on display, enabling the visitors to see and feel the functional beauty of racing machines filled with the cutting-edge technologies of each era.
Photo details from top to bottom:
1. McLaren Honda MP4/5 1989 and MP4/7A 1992 - The legendary car of Ayrton Senna
1. McLaren Honda MP4/5 1989 and MP4/7A 1992 - The legendary car of Ayrton Senna
2. Red Bull Racing Honda RB16B 2021 - Driven by Max Verstappen
3. Jordan Honda EJ12 2002 - Driven by Japanese driver Takuma Sato
4. Williams Honda FW11B 1987 - Nelson Piquet and Nigel Mansell
5. Scuderia AlphaTauri Honda AT01 2020 - Pierre Gasly and Daniil Kvyat
6. Honda RA106 2006 - Honda Team: Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello
I remember to see a lot of Formula 1 races in this circuit of Suzuka.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing, you took some great photos! :)
Oh wow.. what fun. You look great.
ReplyDeleteThe Suzuka Circuit does look like a great place to visit! That's nice there's a theme park, and the gallery looks interesting too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool thing to do! My husband would love to check this out!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Race circuits I mean why not! LOL this looks fun. Great to see all these racing cars. I remember the first time I went to a race track in my teens. I was freaked out it was SO loud. You look great in all these photos!
ReplyDeleteAllie of
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A very interesting and useful guide, thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHello, I'm back to work on the blog.
ReplyDeleteIt must have been a super fun day and the fulfilment of a dream for you! The cars are spectacular!
xoxo
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