Robecca, Andy, Jazzy, Lauren, Jeremy, Monica, Stéphane and Jeff inform us about their trackside expertise and the challenges of attending to and from Suzuka on the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix.
Rebecca & Andy from Malta
We’d at all times wished to go to Japan. We’d heard about its pleasant and hospitable folks, nice meals and environment friendly public transport. The truth that it additionally hosts a System 1 race made it a straightforward determination to start out on the lookout for flights. As we each reside in Malta, the perfect flights to get to Japan are through Germany or Turkey. We opted to fly through Frankfurt with Lufthansa and ANA (All Nippon Airways). Throughout our journey to Japan, we visited Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya (the place we have been primarily based for the Japanese Grand Prix), after which Tokyo.
Our earlier experiences at F1 races have been a blended bag (Monza was a troublesome expertise, Hungary was distinctive). On earlier journeys, we’ve got at all times used public transport. This time, we determined to buy reserved coach transfers from Nagoya to Suzuka for all three days, and it was easy. The bus service was nicely organised and environment friendly, with most journeys to and from the circuit taking round 90 minutes. The one exception was the return journey after the race on Sunday, which took near 4 hours.
Contemplating the gap from the observe to Nagoya and the huge variety of folks leaving the circuit on the identical time, the journey time was acceptable and the coach was snug. Return tickets on the coach value us 8,000 Yen (about $55 USD) every per day. While public transport will at all times be cheaper, we paid extra for the reassurance and safety of getting direct/reserved journey and it didn’t disappoint. A number of pick-up occasions have been supplied within the morning, however the return time of 17:00 was fixed. If you wish to keep longer on the circuit for no matter purpose, I might advocate different strategies of journey to your return journey.
On the circuit, food and drinks prices have been way more inexpensive in comparison with different races we’ve attended. Beers have been roughly £3 GBP ($4 USD). On race day, they offered out of canned beer, which means you needed to line up for longer for draught beer, however the service was pretty fast general. Meals costs have been greater than affordable. There weren’t so many choices for vegetarians or folks with dietary restrictions, which is regular in Japan. At the least you have been capable of take your individual food and drinks in case you wanted.
Merchandise was the usual pricing, costing round £50 GBP ($65 USD) for a hat and £80 ($100 USD) for a t-shirt. These costs weren’t managed by the circuit. Inventory ranges have been first rate, nevertheless merchandise associated to Yuki Tsunoda offered out rapidly on Thursday and Friday!
We had seats within the Q2 grandstand (subsequent to the chicane which ends a lap of Suzuka) and it was a wonderful place to view the race. We have been capable of see the vehicles exiting 130R, taking the chicane after which heading all the way down to the beginning/end line. We additionally had a extra distant view of the primary flip and the S curves. We had a display in entrance to observe the motion, nevertheless it was fairly small.
Total, attending the Japanese Grand Prix was a terrific expertise and completely well worth the cash – extremely advisable.
Jazzy from Australia
We stayed in Nagoya and commuted from there. We discovered a lodge that was solely 5 minute’s stroll from Nagoya station. We bought five-day Kintetsu rail passes to cowl our return travels between Nagoya and Shiroko, after which paid to make use of the shuttle bus service from Shiroko station to and from the circuit.
We did this on Friday and Saturday and located it principally nice. We went early boarding the practice earlier than 7am in Nagoya and had no points with strains by selecting this journey time. Our solely dangerous expertise was the 2hr wait within the freezing chilly for the return bus from the circuit to Shiroko on Friday night. We waited till the final bus pondering the road would die down however talking to others it was ~2hr wait from the top of free apply.
I used to be additionally disenchanted that the final bus to the circuit was at 6pm, when there was driver talks in GP sq. till 7:30pm that evening. I might have preferred to have been capable of keep and nonetheless have a bus possibility again to Shiroko. If we stayed we’d have been up for a 20min stroll to Suzuka Ino Station and I by no means examined that station out neither is it lined beneath our Kintetsu rail passes.
Saturday night the buses have been much more frequent and we additionally introduced hotter garments. For race day we paid for the direct bus from Nagoya. It was nicely organised however general I don’t suppose it was actually price it for the value level particularly because the trains/buses appeared to enhance. The journey time was no shorter as we spent a number of time in visitors leaving after the race. Once more we picked early occasions leaving from Nagoya and aimed for the final bus again.
Monica & Stéphane from Canada
Bonjour! I’m Monica from Canada. We reside about two hours from Montreal, the place we’ve got attended the Canadian Grand Prix many occasions. My husband, Stéphane, will probably be turning fifty in Could, 2025. To rejoice, I recommended we journey to a race overseas. We selected Suzuka as Steph has beloved the nation since he was younger, and we might even have the chance to see the gorgeous sakura (cherry blossom) in full bloom.
We splurged and acquired Champions Membership hospitality through F1 Experiences. Foods and drinks are included. The suite is positioned above the pit lane on the pit straight, and in addition gives views of the ultimate nook, first nook and the ‘S’ turns behind. F1 Experiences offered some great occasions throughout the weekend, together with some F1 superstar appearances within the suite, a guided tour of the System 1 Paddock, and a grid stroll on Saturday evening with a trophy picture op.
For comfort (although it was costly), we stayed on the lodge that F1 Experiences supplied – Nagoya Marriott Associa Resort. It’s subsequent to the Nagoya JR station which has subways, bus choices and trains. Sadly, there was no transportation supplied by F1 Experiences from our lodge in Nagoya to the circuit. We booked coaches for the Friday and Sunday leaving from the Nagoya practice station and deliberate to take the practice on Saturday evening as we had the picture/grid stroll within the early night.
Taking the practice on Thursday and Saturday was extra sophisticated than the coach however straight-forward sufficient. As we left early every morning and stayed later on the observe within the night than most different followers, the trains have been busy however not chaotic. Suzuka Circuit Ino station didn’t have taxis obtainable, however was a 2km stroll to the circuit. We simply adopted the group. Due to loads of advance planning (and many suggestions from the Japanese Grand Prix Fb group), it was virtually hassle-free to journey from Nagoya to the circuit and again every day.
Highlights of our trackside expertise included assembly my favourite retired driver, Mark Webber, and my husband assembly and chatting with two F1 legends, Jock Clear and Jacques Villeneuve. We bought photographs and autographs from many F1 stars, met some superb fellow F1 followers and loved the Champions Membership hospitality. We made some great associates at this occasion. On the draw back, we have been offered plenty of incorrect info by our ticket agent and in addition had some points accumulating our Champions Membership tickets. F1 Experiences additionally didn’t correctly implement their very own guidelines round not with the ability to reserve tables or grandstand seats within the area.
We spent virtually three weeks in Japan, a visit that our household and associates describe because the ‘journey of a lifetime.’ Apart from our weekend at Suzuka, different highlights included visiting Itsukushima Jinja (Shinto shrine) on Miyajima Island in addition to Misen Yama, Hiroshima (and all it’s unhappy magnificence), Kitayamazaki Cape, staying with an area household in Morioka and in Tokyo, the Nezu Shrine and the Tokyo Tower Diamond Tour.
Lauren from New Zealand
My First Japanese Grand Prix – A Great Weekend at Suzuka.
The 2025 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka was my sixth System 1 race, nevertheless it was my first time experiencing Japan’s iconic circuit, and wow, what a particular one it was. Having solely been to avenue circuits earlier than (Melbourne & Singapore), stepping right into a purpose-built observe with a lot F1 historical past was genuinely subsequent degree. You may really feel the legacy of greats like Senna and Prost within the air. This place is sacred floor for any motorsport fan.
I purchased an A1 Grandstand ticket, which was positively price it. The view of the beginning line was epic, and I additionally had a transparent shot of the pit exit. I bought to see Lando and Max conflict straight out of the pits proper in entrance of me—critically cool.
Lodging-wise, I stayed at APA Resort Nagoya Sakae. The lodge itself was clear and comfortable, however the space… let’s simply say it had character. Sakae turns right into a purple gentle district at evening, and there have been quite a lot of pimps hanging round outdoors the lodge. Add in automotive lovers revving their engines at 3am prefer it’s Quick & Livid: Nagoya Drift, and yeah—it was an expertise.
Attending to Suzuka every day was a little bit of a mission. It took about an hour by practice to Shiroko Station, then one other 40+ minute watch for the 15-minute shuttle bus experience to the observe. Fortunately, I purchased a Kintetsu Rail Cross upfront, which saved me a good chunk of money on the practice rides. Extremely advocate doing the identical in case you’re planning to go. Tickets for the shuttle bus value 500 yen ($3.50 USD) every manner.
That mentioned, Suzuka isn’t essentially the most accessible Grand Prix on the market. There’s a number of strolling, stairs, and standing concerned. Sadly, I used to be in a lot ache by the top of Friday that I needed to skip Saturday altogether simply to get better. If you happen to’ve bought bodily limitations, this may not be the perfect GP for you.
Regardless of the ups and downs, it was an unforgettable weekend. There’s one thing magical about Suzuka—one thing uncooked and actual that you just don’t get at a metropolis race. Would I’m going once more? 100%. However subsequent time, I’ll be selecting a lodge nearer to the observe.
Jeff from Australia
I’ve used your Japanese Grand Prix Fb group to assist plan my very own journey to Suzuka for the previous two years, so I figured it was time to present some suggestions. Final 12 months I traveled with my three sons and this 12 months with associates. Having learnt the method for travelling to and from Nagoya utilizing the JR trains final 12 months, my expertise this 12 months was loads much less aggravating.
This 12 months, I went to the observe on Thursday to expertise the pit lane stroll and observe stroll. I additionally wished to take a look at the merchandise within the fan zone and possibly choose up some cool race-themed gadgets earlier than they promote out.
I bought all my JR return tickets on Wednesday night and took trains all through the weekend from Nagoya to Suzuka Ino station with none challenge. I saved it versatile on race day and selected the most suitable choice for the return journey. In each years, this was a leisurely (however fairly lengthy) stroll to Shiroko station (skipping the shuttle bus), adopted by the practice to Nagoya.
Final 12 months, I sat in grandstand D3. The view of the ‘S’ curves was nice, nevertheless it was an extended stroll to and from the grandstand. This 12 months, I went for the dearer Q2 grandstand (see views from Q2 beneath). Utilizing the identical first nook gate, entry for Q2 was loads simpler, and the seating was extra snug (particular person plastic seats, versus concrete bleachers). The grandstand additionally had its personal bathroom block, which meant we didn’t should so lengthy at peak occasions.
Foods and drinks at Suzuka is each superb and low cost! Merchandise was slightly disappointing this 12 months, with not so many distinctive Suzuka gadgets to purchase, and excessive costs. As soon as once more, I made essentially the most of ‘Free Friday,’ when you may sit in several grandstands, and ventured to the hairpin and Spoon Curve.
Sadly, the help classes at Suzuka (Ferrari Problem Japan & Porsche Carrera Cup Japan) have been as soon as once more underwhelming. Tickets for my dwelling race in Melbourne are much more costly (and it’s one of many the reason why I go to Japan), however they really feel like good worth due to the busy and aggressive help schedule. Hopefully the organizers can enhance the help programme sooner or later.
Jeremy from the USA
I lived in Japan as an alternate scholar again within the early 90s. I bear in mind watching the Japanese Grand Prix on TV again then, however didn’t attend the race at Suzuka in individual till this 12 months. I observed a number of followers had points understanding the trains and shuttle buses to Suzuka, so I assumed I might share my expertise and provides some recommendation for followers contemplating attending the race subsequent 12 months.
First, it’s good to determine in your chosen type of transport to get to and from Suzuka; bus, automotive, or practice are the principle choices. Direct buses can be found from main station to the observe, together with Nagoya, however these are usually not the most affordable or quickest possibility. If you happen to determine to drive, you will have to buy parking tickets upfront. These promote out rapidly, and also you additionally must take note of how congested the roads will probably be close to the circuit on race weekend. There are quite a few parking tons, however roads are sometimes single lane, a method, or reserved solely for shuttle buses.
If you happen to determine to take the Kintetsu practice from Nagoya, Osaka or Kyoto, you’ve gotten a alternative of restricted categorical trains (which require a reservation) and categorical trains (which don’t require a reservation). Specific trains are extra frequent, however you could be pressured to face in a crowded carriage for your complete journey. The restricted categorical trains are much less frequent, however you’ll be capable of calm down with a reserved seat.
The 5-day Kintetsu go is advisable, because it covers all trains (native, categorical, restricted categorical) to and from Shiroko station on race weekend. It’s potential to order seats as much as 30 days upfront (and these do promote out on race weekend). Keep in mind, seat reservations must be paid individually to the 5-day Kintetsu go.
After getting off at Shiroko station, you’re taking a shuttle bus to the observe. Tickets value 500 yen every manner and it’s good to be prepared for lengthy delays to get on the shuttle bus at peak occasions, particularly on the circuit. To make certain you’ll get a selected restricted categorical practice, you need to permit at the very least two hours to get from the circuit to Shiroko station. This contains strolling out of your seats to P7, the place the shuttle buses depart from (see map location). We have been in grandstand Q2 (closing nook), which gives the shortest stroll again to the buses (about quarter-hour). The stroll might be for much longer from different components of the observe.
