Japanese Grand Prix ⋅ Getting to Suzuka

Arrival in Nagoya at the Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO)

Nagoya’s main airport and Japan’s third, the Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) is about a 30 minute connection to the city centre by the Meitetsu Airport Line. There’s a train in either direction every half an hour and costs ‎¥1200.

Getting Around in Nagoya

English is not widely spoken in Japan, though in most JR railway stations there will be at least one staff member who can speak English so getting around is not usually an issue. Even if you have trouble with the language barrier in Japan the all round helpfulness of Japanese people towards visitors more than makes up for it and if you have a few words in Japanese too you’ll find getting around there as easy as anywhere else.

For most purposes getting around on the subway and on foot will be fine, though for groups, using a taxi might be preferable and more cost effective. Subway rides are ‎¥200 to ‎¥320 with day passes available for ‎¥740.

Getting to Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix by Train

There are 2 ways to get to Suzuka circuit by train. If like many visitors to Japan you’ve picked up a JR Pass prior to arriving in the country it’s more or less a no-brainer to take the JR train line, and have the cost of the otherwise quite expensive journey covered by the pass. There is a special service put on over the race weekend called ‘Suzuka Grand Prix’ limited express.

The second option, provided by the private Kintetsu train company drops you off further away from the track and you’ll need to take either a shuttle or a taxi to get to the race track, but if you don’t have the JR Pass it works out quite a bit cheaper, even with the cost of the shuttle included.

Option 1: JR ‘Suzuka Grand Prix’ limited express

Book your tickets to Suzuka Ino station and reserve your seats at Nagoya JR train station. The seat reservation is mandatory for these trains but with the JR Pass the cost of the reservation is already covered.

1. Board the train. The journey should take 60 minutes and Japanese trains are very punctual.
2. One stop after Suzuka station you arrive at Suzuka Circuit Ino Station. This should be obvious from the mass exodus of F1 fans and you might just spot a familiar ferris wheel. Follow your F1 brethren out of the station and its about a 20 minute walk to the circuit gates.

pros: guaranteed seat, cheaper if you have a JR pass, no need to transfer
cons: 20 minute walk, expensive without the pass

Option 2: Kintetsu

Book your return tickets to Shiroko station at the Kintetsu ticket office in the east side of Nagoya station. You can choose from Express trains and more expensive, faster limited express trains.

1. Board the train for the 40 or 50 minutes journey. There may not be an announcement in English so be aware of roughly what time you should arrive and keep an eye out the window at the station names (which are in English and Japanese).
2. Exit the station and you’ll see a small counter where you can buy your tickets for the shuttle. This is about a 15 minute bus ride which leaves you with another 5-10 minute walk to the main entrance to the circuit.

pros: less walking, cheaper if you have no pass
cons: needing to transfer to a shuttle bus, waiting for the shuttle in the evening, quite possibly will be standing room only on the train

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I’m Danny, an incurable Formula 1 fan for over 25 years and founder of The F1 Spectator. My aim is to inform and inspire, arming you with helpful tips and advice for your next F1 trip.

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