Trackside at Suzuka – 2025 Japanese Grand Prix

Learn more about the trackside experience at the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix. Advice about entrance, trackside activities and on-track action at Suzuka Circuit.

With so much recent F1 history and an incredible atmosphere courtesy of the fervent local fans, a trip to the Suzuka circuit is on the bucket list for many F1 fans. The circuit is a little out of the way, but the trip is worthwhile. Just pay attention to our tips below and come prepared! The good news is that the Suzuka website offers lots of useful information in English for fans visiting the track; we have included plenty of links to relevant pages below. For the first time in its history, the Japanese Grand Prix moved to a new calendar slot in April, 2024. The same calendar slot has been retained for 2025.

Be Prepared For a Day at Suzuka

It’s worth getting organized before travelling to Suzuka. Aside from food and F1 merchandise, there are no convenience stores at the circuit or the Suzuka Inou train station. (There are shops and ATMs at the Shiroko train station, but opening hours are limited and you may not get what you need.) Make sure you have sufficient cash, as well as other useful items such as sun cream, a hat, umbrella or wet weather gear. You’ll be walking a lot at Suzuka, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes. English commentary is available on FM86 during race weekend.

Suzuka Circuit: Entrance & Orientation

Entrance Gates: Eight gates provide access to the circuit (see map above). It pays to check the closest entry gate to your grandstand or you may have a substantial walk of up to 3km. The main gate is closest to the grandstands on the final corner (Q1-2, R, S) and pit straight grandstands (V1, V2). The main fanzone at Suzuka is also located right in front of the main gate.

Circuit Opening Times: The circuit main gates have been open from 10:00-16:00 on Thursday (more info below), 08:00-19:00 on Friday, 08:00-20:00 on Saturday and 08:00-19:00 on Sunday. Other gates may open at slightly different times. Gate opening times are not yet confirmed for 2025.

Entry Restrictions (Prohibited Items): The Japanese are a polite, law abiding race of people. Read about Better Manners ‘for a more pleasant spectator experience’ at Suzuka including a list of prohibited items at the circuit – you are not allowed to bring in any food or drink, and camera lens cannot be longer than 26cm. 

2025 Japanese Grand Prix Schedule

On-Track Schedule: The full timetable of on-track events at the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix has now been published and is listed below.

Support Categories: The Ferrari Challenge Japan and Porsche Carrera Cup Japan are this year’s support categories

Thursday Opening: The circuit gates normally open at 08:30 on Thursday (allowing fans to take part in the pit lane walk, see below.) The Fanzone is also open on Thursday with available food/drink concessions and merchandise stands.

Post-Race Track Invasion: Only fans seated in the V1 or V2 grandstands on the Main Straight can enter the track for the podium ceremony. All other fans can access other parts of the track (with the exception of the Main Straight) after the race

Pit Lane Walks: Holders of 3-day tickets for the race can access the pit lane on Thursday morning and Saturday evening, more details below. F1 Experiences also offers a pit lane walk for selected guests on Thursday afternoon. During the race weekend, guests in the F1 Paddock Club can take part in daily pit lane walks on Friday, Saturday & Sunday.

Friday, April 4

09:00-09:45: Ferrari Challenge Japan – First Practice Session

09:55-10:35: Paddock Club – Track Tour

10:00-11:00: Paddock Club – Pit Lane Walk

11:30-12:30: Formula 1 – Free Practice 1 (FP1)

13:00-13:45: Porsche Carrera Cup Japan – Practice Session

13:55-14:25: Paddock Club – Track Tour

13:55-14:35: Paddock Club – Pit Lane Walk

15:00-16:00: Formula 1 – Free Practice 2 (FP2)

16:30-17:00: Ferrari Challenge Japan – Qualifying Session

Saturday, April 5

10:20-10:50: Porsche Carrera Cup Japan – Qualifying Session

11:30-12:30: Formula 1 – Free Practice 3 (FP3)

13:10-13:45: Ferrari Challenge Japan – First Race (30 minutes + 1 lap)

13:55-14:35: Paddock Club – Track Tour & Pit Lane Walk

15:00-16:00: Formula 1 – Qualifying

17:00-17:35: Porsche Carrera Cup Japan – First Race (10 laps or 30 mins)

17:50-18:20: Paddock Club – Track Tour & Pit Lane Walk

18:20-19:20: F1 Experiences – Champions Club Trophy Photo & Grid Walk

Sunday, April 6

09:45-10:20: Ferrari Challenge Japan – Second Race (30 minutes + 1 lap)

11:00-11:35: Porsche Carrera Cup Japan – Second Race (10 laps or 30 minutes)

11:55-12:35: Paddock Club – Track Tour

11:55-12:50: Paddock Club – Pit Lane Walk

12:00-12:30: Formula 1 – Drivers’ Parade

13:44-13:46: National Anthem

14:00-16:00: Formula 1 Lenovo Japanese Grand Prix 2025 (52 laps or 2 hours)

Fan Activities at the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix

Not yet confirmed for 2025

A full program of F1 fan activities are held as part of the Japanese Grand Prix weekend, including pit lane walks and a Fan Forum with F1 driver interviews on the main stage in the Fanzone. Both of the pit lane/home straight walks are open to all holders of 3-day tickets for the race, while the Eve Festival is restricted to V1/V2 grandstand ticket holders. The Kids Pit Lane Walk is also restricted, see below. If you are going to stay around (and risk making your journey home via public transport more difficult), we really recommend attending the ‘Eve Festival’ on Saturday night, especially if you have seats in the V1/V2 grandstands (see picture above). Whilst Suzuka has several pit lane walks, it should be noted that these are not held at times when the teams are most active (e.g. doing pit stop practice). 

Fan Activities Timetable: 2025 Japanese GP

Fan Activities are not yet confirmed for 2025. The below activities and times from last year are presented for information purposes.

Thursday, 09:00-12:00: Pit Lane Walk & Home Straight Walk – open to all 3-day ticket holders. A chance to walk in the pit lane and on the starting grid)

Saturday, 17:25-18:10: Eve Festival – interviews with F1 drivers on Main Straight & on the GP Square Official Stage in the Fanzone after qualifying. Free entry to anyone with a V1/V2 grandstand seat, but you must be seated at least 1 hour before the Eve Festival begins. For those who do not have a V1/V2 reserved seat ticket, a separate numbered ticket is required.)

Saturday, 18:25-18:55: Kids Pit Lane Walk – only children of junior high school age or younger and their companions can participate if they have an F1 race ticket. Participating children must be ticket holders; up to 2 guardians per child under junior high school age.)

Saturday, 19:00-20:30: Night Pit & Home Straight Walk – open to all 3-day ticket holders. A chance to walk in the pit lane and on the starting grid, after dark!)

GP Square Official Stage – F1 Driver Interviews

From Friday to Sunday, the main stage in the Fanzone also has special guest appearances. The F1 drivers normally appear in team groups on either Friday evening or Saturday evening. The Saturday evening appearances are split between the GP Square Official Stage and the Main Straight (see details of ‘Eve Festival’ above). Also appearing will be some of the F1 team principals, as well as ex-F1 drivers from Japan and other local F1 personalities. Exact times for F1 team/driver appearances won’t be confirmed until much closer to race weekend, though appearances won’t finish later than 18:40 on Saturday night.

Tokyo F1 Fan Festival

After a successful first edition in 2023, Tokyo hosted another F1 Festival ahead of the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix. The event took place on April 2-3 at the Roppongi Hills Arena in Roppongi Hills, Tokyo. Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, Daniel Ricciardo and home driver Yuki Tsunoda appeared at the event. Team principals Christian Horner, Frédéric Vasseur, Laurent Mekies and Ayao Komatsu were also in attendance, as well as former driver Jean Alesi and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali. A number of classic F1 cars were on display – including the 1964 Honda, the 1988 Williams and the 2000 Ferrari – along with current Red Bull and RB cars. Details of the Tokyo F1 Fan Festival have not yet been confirmed for 2025

Food & Drink at Suzuka

There is a good selection of food and drink available at Suzuka with reasonable prices, though few vendors take card payments – bring cash. Expect to pay approx. 250 yen for water and soft drinks ($1.70 USD), 500 yen for beers ($3.50 USD) and 1000-2500 yen ($6-16 USD) for meals. Choose from Japanese or Western food, including noodles, rice dishes and hamburgers. The best food choices are behind the main grandstand, but there are smaller concessions around the circuit. Free water refill stations are located around the circuit, but not in abundance or well signposted. Be aware that some vendors did run out of drinks and food later in the day at Suzuka during the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix weekend.

Ferris Wheel & Special Stage

Three-day ticket holders get free rides on the iconic Ferris Wheel at Suzuka and it’s a must-do at the circuit. The views are spectacular, even if there is no on-track action at the time. Thursday is probably the best day to take a ride, as there are no queues. The GP Square area behind the main grandstand is the center of activity on Grand Prix weekend. In addition to being the place to go for the best food, drink and merchandise, there is also a stage with concerts and F1 driver appearances throughout the weekend.