Trackside at Suzuka – 2026 Japanese Grand Prix

Advice about entrance, trackside activities and on-track action at Suzuka Circuit for F1 fans attending the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix

2026 Japanese GP Tickets / F1 Experiences / Nagoya Hotels / Japanese GP Facebook group

The 2026 Japanese Grand Prix takes place from March 27-29

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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 will be open from 08:30-17:30 on Thursday, 08:00-19:00 on Friday, 08:00-21:15 on Saturday and 08:00-19:30 on Sunday at the 2025 Japanese GP. Check all gate opening times for 2025 here.

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. 

2026 Japanese Grand Prix Schedule

On-Track Schedule: The full timetable of on-track events at the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix will not be published until around six weeks before race weekend. The 2025 scheduled is left below for information purposes.

Support Categories: Ferrari Challenge Japan and Porsche Carrera Cup Japan return as support categories in 2026. Both will contest the first round of their respective seasons at Suzuka.

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 children and accompanying adults with S-class family seats can enter the track for the podium ceremony. Fans in the VIP Suite and V1/V2 grandstands can enter the track on the main straight, but only after the podium ceremony has finished. All other fans can access other parts of the track (After-Race East Course Walk) from 16:30-18:00 with the exception of the Main Straight. More info here.

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. Guests in the F1 Paddock Club can take part in daily pit lane walks on Friday, Saturday & Sunday; timings are listed in the schedule below.

Thursday

09:00-12:00: Pit Lane Walk & Main Straight Walk. Open to all 3-day ticket holders, more info below

Friday

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

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

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

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

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

Saturday

09:55-10:30: Ferrari Challenge Japan – First Race (30 minutes + 1 lap)

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

13:00-13:30: Porsche Carrera Cup Japan – Qualifying Session

15:00-16:00: Formula 1 – Qualifying

17:15-18:15: F1 Experiences – Champions Club Trophy Photo & Grid Walk

18:20-18:50: Kids Pit Lane Walk (TBC, more info below)

18:50-20:15: Night Pit & Home Straight Walk (TBC, more info below)

Sunday

09:40-10:15: Ferrari Challenge Japan – Second Race (30 minutes + 1 lap)

10:55-11:30: Porsche Carrera Cup Japan – Race (10 laps or 30 minutes)

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

13:44-13:46: National Anthem

14:00-16:00: Formula 1 Aramco Japanese Grand Prix 2026 (53 laps or 2 hours)

16:30-18:00: East Course Walk (TBC, more info above & below)

Fan Activities at the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix

Fan Activities will not be confirmed until closer to race weekend in 2026.

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 F1 Fanzone. The main F1 Fanzone is located behind the V1/V2 grandstands, close to the main entrance to Suzuka and the Mobilityland theme park. During the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix, the GP Sqaure (F1 Fanzone) is open from 08:30-17:30 on Thursday April 3, 08:00-18:00 on Friday April 4 and 08:00-19:00 on Saturday April 5 and Sunday April 6.

From Friday to Sunday, the main stage in the Fanzone (GP Square Official Stage) also has special guest appearances. The F1 drivers will be appearing 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’ below). 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 on the Fanzone Stage are listed below:

Friday

8:30-9:00: DJ Performance

9:00-9:15: Opening Stage

9:20-9:40: Tomoki Nojiri / Sho Tsuboi

9:55-10:05: Carlos Sainz / Alexander Albon (Williams)

10:05-10:15: Fernando Alonso/ Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

10:15-10:35: Jean Alesi

12:40-13:10: DJ Performance

13:20-13:40: Session Review powered by Fuji TV NEXT

13:50-14:00 James Vowles (Williams Team Principal)

14:00-14:10 Frédéric Vasseur (Ferrari Team Principal)

14:10-14:20 Christian Horner (Red Bull Racing Team Principal)

16:25-16:45: Takuma Sato

18:10-18:30: Taiko Drum Performance

18:40-18:50 Isack Hadjar/ Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)

18:50-19:00 Nico Hulkenberg/Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber)

19:05-19:15 Lando Norris/Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

Saturday

8:30-9:00: DJ Performance

9:00-9:15: Opening Stage

9:25-9:35: Max Verstappen / Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull Racing)

9:45-9:55: Ryo Hirakawa (Alpine Reserve Driver)

9:55-10:05: Charles Leclerc / Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

10:10-10:40: DJ Performance

10:45-11:05: Kazuki Nakajima

12:35-13:05: Self-Defense Forces Performance – Central Air Defense Band

13:20-13:40: Session Review powered by Fuji TV NEXT

13:45-13:55: Ayao Komatsu (Haas Team Principal)

14:00-14:30: Dino Leone (On-board camera manager)

16:15-16:25 Ayumu Iwasa (Racing Bulls Reserve Driver)

16:25-16:35 Laurent Mekies (Racing Bulls Team Principal)

16:35-16:45 Antonio Giovinazzi (Ferrari Reserve Driver)

Sunday

8:30-9:00: DJ Performance

9:00-9:15: Opening Stage

9:20-9:40 Satoru Nakajima / Akira Suzuki

9:45-10:05: Takuma Sato / Kazuki Nakajima

10:15-10:25: Danjuro Ichikawa / Shinnosuke Ichikawa / Takuma Sato

16:30-16:50: Tomoki Nojiri / Sho Tsuboi

18:00-18:30: DJ Performance

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). 

Please note there is an additional West Fanzone near the L section of the Spoon Curve, which will be open from 09:00-17:00 on Thursday April 3 and 08:00-18:00 from Friday April 4 to Sunday April 6. Learn more about the West Fanzone here.

Fan Activities Timetable: 2026 Japanese GP

Fan Activities are not yet confirmed for the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix weekend. Note that sunset on race weekend is at approx. 18:15. (The 2025 schedule is retained below 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. More info here.

Saturday

17:50-18:40: 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. More info about Saturday activities is here.

18:20-18:50: 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.

18:50-20:15: 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! Expect large crowds.

Sunday

16:30-18:00: East Course Walk. All 3-day ticket holders can walk on the track (with the exception of the Main Straight) after the end of the race. Fans in the VIP Suite and V1/V2 grandstands can enter the track on the main straight, but only after the podium ceremony has finished. More info here.

F1 Tokyo Fan Festival 2026

Details of the F1 Tokyo Fan Festival have not yet been announced for 2026

After successful activations coinciding with the last two editions of the Japanese race, the F1 Tokyo Fan Festival returned ahead of the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix. The 2025 festival took place at TOKYO BAY (Odaiba/Aomi) from Wednesday, April 2 to Sunday, April 6 (it was not open on Thursday, April 3). The event featured a ‘garage where visitors can experience the thrill and excitement of F1 up close, official merchandise sales, interactive experiences, and a public viewing of the F1 Japanese Grand Prix.’ There was also a ‘gourmet food zone offering dishes from F1 Grand Prix hosting countries around the world’ and ‘Twilight Music Zone’ with live music performances. Tickets went on sale from March 7. More information here.

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.