Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix

The Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix returns to Suzuka Circuit in Mie Prefecture on Friday 9 to Sunday 11 April 2027, as round 4 of the season. formula1.com lists it as a Sprint weekend (a short extra race on Saturday, on top of Sunday's Grand Prix): one practice session and Sprint Qualifying (a short session that sets the starting order for the Sprint) on Friday, the Sprint and Grand Prix qualifying on Saturday, and the race on Sunday. Suzuka Circuit says 2027 is the first time the Japanese Grand Prix will include an F1 Sprint. 2027 session times are TBC.

Suzuka was built by Honda as a test track in 1962 and first hosted the Grand Prix in 1987. The 5.807 km lap is a figure of eight with a crossover bridge, and formula1.com picks out the S Curves, the two Degner corners, the 130R and the Hairpin, where Grandstand I overlooks one of the main overtaking spots. The circuit sits inside Suzuka Circuit Park, and race tickets include park entry and unlimited rides from Thursday 8 to Sunday 11 April, and the park's Ferris wheel hosts a fan zone during race week.

As a trip, Suzuka works best from a city base. Most fans stay in Nagoya and travel in by Kintetsu train to Shiroko Station, then take the circuit's shuttle bus or walk; reserved direct buses also run from Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto and other cities. The circuit warns that the small Ise Railway station next to the track can mean waits of more than three hours after the race. Advance tickets go on sale on Sunday 15 November 2026 at 11:00 on the circuit's official shop.

• The first Sprint at Suzuka: the circuit says 2027 brings the first F1 Sprint to the Japanese Grand Prix, so Saturday has two competitive sessions.
• The S Curves and 130R: formula1.com recommends Grandstands D and E above the S Curves, and the left of Grandstand G for the inside of 130R.
• The Hairpin: Grandstand I faces the Hairpin, which formula1.com calls incident-attracting and good for overtaking.
• The West Area: an unreserved ticket covering viewing areas G to P around the back of the circuit, so you can move as the race unfolds.
• Suzuka Circuit Park: race tickets include park entry and unlimited rides from Thursday 8 to Sunday 11 April 2027.

• Nagoya: the usual base. Kintetsu trains run from Nagoya to Shiroko Station (about 50 minutes by express, says the official F1 ticket store), and reserved direct buses to the circuit run from Nagoya Station on all three days.
• Osaka and Kyoto: possible with an early start. Reserved direct buses run from Shin-Osaka, JR Namba and Kyoto stations on all three days, and Kintetsu trains connect Osaka with Shiroko. See our Osaka guide and Kyoto guide.
• Tsu and nearby Mie towns: closer to the circuit. Reserved buses run from Tsu Station on Saturday and Sunday.
• Suzuka Circuit Hotel: the circuit runs its own hotel inside the park. Check its booking page for race-week availability.

From the UK

British Airways sells direct flights from London to Tokyo; its Tokyo page points to Haneda as the airport closest to the city. From Tokyo, the Shinkansen reaches Nagoya in about 1 hour 40 minutes, according to the official F1 ticket store. The nearest airports to Suzuka are Chubu Centrair (NGO) near Nagoya and Kansai International (KIX) near Osaka, both linked to the Kintetsu network; you'd normally reach them with a connection. British citizens can get a visa on arrival for tourism for up to 90 days, according to GOV.UK.

On race days

• Kintetsu to Shiroko Station: the circuit's recommended route from Nagoya, Osaka and Kyoto. From Shiroko, a shuttle bus runs to the circuit with no reservation needed, or you can walk (about 80 minutes to the 1st Corner Gate). Kintetsu Limited Express seats are all reserved and need a Limited Express ticket on top of the fare.
• Kintetsu to Hiratacho Station: about a 60-minute walk to the Main Gate.
• Avoid Suzuka Circuit Ino Station: the circuit says waits for the Ise Railway can exceed three hours after the race, and you may not get on the same day.
• Reserved direct buses: guaranteed seats from Nagoya, Shin-Osaka, JR Namba and Kyoto stations (Friday to Sunday) and from more cities on Saturday and Sunday, plus a park-and-ride at the Kameyama Test Course. Book in advance on the circuit's bus page.
• Driving: parking is sold as advance tickets for named car parks; check the circuit's parking page. Taxis and a shared taxi service have their own drop-off point.

For the rest of your trip, see our Japan guide.

2027 tickets go on sale on Sunday 15 November 2026 at 11:00 on MobilityStation, Suzuka Circuit's official online shop (register as a member first). They're also sold through F1 Tickets, the official Formula 1 ticket store, and West Area tickets through Asoview!. The circuit doesn't sell tickets by phone, at its counters, at convenience stores or through agencies. It says MobilityStation can't be used from some countries and that cards issued outside Japan may not be accepted; if so, it points overseas buyers to F1 Tickets.

Race tickets cover Friday to Sunday; there are no single-day tickets for Saturday or Sunday, only Thursday-only tickets. Everyone aged 3 and over needs a ticket. Tickets can't be cancelled or refunded, but eligible e-tickets can be resold through MobilityStation's official resale service. The terms say resale through any other channel is prohibited and resold tickets become void. Screenshots of e-tickets aren't normally accepted at the gate.

See the official ticket page and the ticket FAQ before you buy.

Plan the journey back: the crowds leave at once after the race. The circuit recommends Shiroko or Hiratacho stations, or a reserved bus, rather than Suzuka Circuit Ino Station.

Not allowed: pets, bicycles, skateboards, kick scooters, drones and other radio-controlled devices. Cameras with telephoto lenses 26 cm or longer aren't allowed in reserved seating areas (there's a separate photographer ticket). Smoking is only allowed in designated areas.

Noise: the ticket terms advise wearing hearing protection during track sessions; it's especially worth bringing for children.

Cash: GOV.UK says Japan is still predominantly cash-based and cards issued outside Japan can be hard to use, so carry yen. 7-Eleven and post office cash machines accept some foreign cards.

Weather: April days can be mild, cool or wet; bring layers and a waterproof, and sun protection for long days outside.

Wheelchair seats are sold for the Grandstand lower tier (V1), the Grandstand upper tier (V2, with a dedicated lift), Turn 2 (B1) and the Final Corner (R). They're only for wheelchair users. Up to two companions (four in R) can sit with you, and each needs a ticket bought at the same time; V1, V2 and B1 companions get a simple chair. Only the V2 and B1 wheelchair areas have a roof.

A limited number of P1 wheelchair parking passes for Friday to Sunday can be bought together with a wheelchair ticket. Wheelchair tickets can't be upgraded or resold. Wheelchairs can be rented at the Main Information Center in front of the Main Gate (500 yen a day, free with a disability certificate, no reservations). There's no general discount for disabled spectators. Contact the circuit through its contact page with questions.

• Before you go, read the UK government's FCDO travel advice for Japan (entry requirements, safety and local laws).
• Flight delayed or cancelled on the way? See our Travel Disruption guide for your rights and live alerts.