When is the F1 Japanese Grand Prix held?

The Japanese Grand Prix is held at Suzuka Circuit in Mie Prefecture on the cherry blossom weekend — typically late March or early April. The race was moved from its traditional autumn slot to a spring date starting in 2024 (2024 and 2025 races were in early April; the 2026 GP took place March 27–29).

Which Japanese car museums require advance booking?

Nissan Heritage Collection, Subaru Visitor Center, Mazda Museum and Suzuki Plaza Museum all require advance reservation — and the Nissan, Subaru and Suzuki booking sites are Japanese-language only. Toyota Kaikan is walk-in (Mon–Sat). Honda Collection Hall is walk-in via Mobility Resort Motegi.

How do I visit the Daikoku Futo Parking Area car meets?

Daikoku PA is located on the Shuto Expressway in Yokohama and is accessed by driving in via the expressway. Taxis can drop you off but cannot pick you up. The best options are a rental car or a licensed JDM tour.

Can I still take a factory tour at Toyota Kaikan?

No — Toyota Motor Corporation plant tours at the Motomachi, Takaoka and Tsutsumi plants have been suspended since 2021, with no announced resumption date. Toyota Kaikan itself remains open as a museum showcasing current Toyota and Lexus models, concept vehicles, and exhibits across its themed zones. Toyota also offers an online virtual plant tour on its corporate site.

Can I drive the Fuji Subaru Line up to Mt. Fuji in summer?

Not in your own vehicle. During Mt. Fuji's official climbing season (typically early July through September 10), private cars are restricted from the Fuji Subaru Line and a shuttle bus runs from the Fuji-Hokuroku parking area to the 5th Station.

How long will Nissan's Oppama factory tour be available?

Nissan announced in July 2025 that vehicle production at the Oppama Plant in Yokosuka will end by March 2028. The 90-minute weekday factory tour is available until then, but it is Japanese-language only and requires booking approximately three months in advance.

Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive in Japan?

Yes. Visitors from countries that are parties to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (including the US, UK, Canada, Australia and most of Europe) can drive in Japan for up to one year using an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued in their home country before departure. Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco and Taiwan use a different system — a certified Japanese translation of the home licence, per the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF). IDPs cannot be issued inside Japan, so arrange this before you fly.

When is the best time to plan a Japan car trip?

Late March to early April overlaps with the F1 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka and cherry blossom season. Late May brings WRC Rally Japan to Aichi and Gifu. October and early November are ideal for tōge driving, with dry weather and autumn foliage. Golden Week (late April to early May) sees heavy crowds at roads, expressway rest areas and car museums. Winter (December–February) brings snow to mountain roads including the Fuji Subaru Line, Hakone and Irohazaka.

Is Rally Japan really in May 2026 instead of November?

Yes. The 2026 FIA World Rally Championship calendar repositions Rally Japan from its traditional November slot to May 28–31, 2026, swapping dates with Rally Italy. The WRC Promoter cited sporting reasons — the May slot breaks up a long sequence of gravel rallies and reduces the road-sweeping disadvantage for early championship leaders. The service park remains at Toyota Stadium in Toyota City, Aichi.

Japan Car Trip Guide 2026 · 23 Spots + 3 Routes

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🏭 TOYOTA KAIKAN 🏁 SUZUKA CIRCUIT 🏛️ TOYOTA AUTO MUSEUM 🌀 HAKONE TURNPIKE 🗻 IROHAZAKA — NIKKŌ 🏎️ HONDA COLLECTION HALL 🏍️ MOBILITY RESORT MOTEGI 🔧 LIBERTY WALK HQ 🚗 NISSAN GALLERY

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23DESTINATIONS

NAGOYA BASE → TOYOTA CITY → OWARIASAHI → NAGAKUTE → HAMAMATSU → SUZUKA

CHŪBU & KANSAI

SUZUKA

SUPER SUZUKA

GARAGE GUIDE

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GARAGE GUIDE

STOPS

PREFS

NIGHTS

1–2

📖 SEE SUPER SUZUKA TOUR →

🏭

TOYOTA KAIKAN

TOYOTA CITY, AICHI · ~50 MIN FROM NAGOYA

STOP 01

Museum at Toyota global HQ. Current models, concepts, and themed exhibits on manufacturing, mobility, and safety. Plant tours suspended since 2021.

🌐 SITE 📍 MAP

🏮

LIBERTY WALK HQ

OWARIASAHI, AICHI · MEITETSU SETO LINE

STOP 02

Widebody tuner HQ ~40 min train east of Nagoya. Walk into the showroom to see 50+ demo builds, the LB Café, and the merch shop. Photos OK. Cars rotate — every visit is different.

🌐 SITE 📍 MAP

🏛️

TOYOTA AUTO MUSEUM

NAGAKUTE, AICHI · LINIMO LINE

STOP 03

~140 global vehicles tracing ~130 years of automotive history across a multi-floor gallery — world cars, not just Toyota. Separate cultural annex with posters, mascots and miniatures. On-site café. Easy half-day.

🌐 SITE 📍 MAP

💛

SUZUKI PLAZA MUSEUM

HAMAMATSU, SHIZUOKA · ~1H15 FROM NAGOYA

STOP 04

Suzuki's company museum covering motorcycles, cars and marine engines across the brand's full history. Advance reservation required (JP-language site). Easy Shinkansen stop en route from Nagoya toward Tokyo.

🌐 SITE 📍 MAP

🏎️

SUZUKA CIRCUIT

SUZUKA, MIE · ~55 MIN FROM NAGOYA

STOP 05

Honda-owned figure-8 circuit that hosts the F1 Japan GP on the cherry-blossom weekend. Circuit tours and the on-site Motopia theme park run year-round. Traditional grand-finale stop of the SUPER SUZUKA tour.

🌐 SITE 📍 MAP

🌲

RALLY JAPAN

TOYOTA STADIUM, AICHI · WRC · LATE MAY

EVENT

FIA World Rally Championship round. Forest stages through the mountains; service park at Toyota Stadium. 2026 edition: May 28–31.

📍 MAP · TOYOTA STADIUM

🚗 MUSEUMS · CIRCUITS · JDM · TŌGE · SHOWROOMS

GARAGE GUIDE 🔧

GARAGE GUIDE → SELECT DESTINATION

19 SITES BY JAPAN.GG

Museums · Circuits · Tuner Culture · Mountain Passes · Showrooms.

#1 DIAMOND

🏎️

SUZUKA CIRCUIT

SUZUKA CITY, MIE

#2 PLATINUM

🌀

D1GP — EBISU CIRCUIT

NIHONMATSU, FUKUSHIMA

#3 GOLD

🌃

DAIKOKU FUTO PA

YOKOHAMA, KANAGAWA

🏎️

HONDA COLLECTION HALL

MOTEGI, TOCHIGI

🌟

NISSAN HERITAGE COLL.

ZAMA CITY, KANAGAWA

🚙

SUBARU VISITOR CENTER

ŌTA CITY, GUNMA

🔵

MAZDA MUSEUM

HIROSHIMA CITY

💛

SUZUKI PLAZA MUSEUM

HAMAMATSU, SHIZUOKA

🏍️

MOBILITY RESORT MOTEGI

MOTEGI, TOCHIGI

🌋

FUJI SPEEDWAY

OYAMA, SHIZUOKA

🏁

OKAYAMA CIRCUIT

MIMASAKA, OKAYAMA

🌋

AUTOPOLIS CIRCUIT

HITA, ŌITA, KYŪSHŪ

🔥

OPPAMA PLANT — NISSAN

YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA

🏔️

HAKONE TURNPIKE

HAKONE, KANAGAWA

🌀

IROHAZAKA — NIKKŌ

NIKKŌ CITY, TOCHIGI

🗻

FUJI SUBARU LINE

FUJIYOSHIDA, YAMANASHI

🔵

NISSAN GALLERY

YOKOHAMA, KANAGAWA

👑

CENTURY STUDIO — AOYAMA

AOYAMA, TOKYO

⭐

SUBARU STAR SQUARE

EBISU, TOKYO

🏛️ HONDA HQ COLLECTION · MOTEGI

HONDA COLLECTION HALL

🌐 SITE 📍 MAP

~170 curated Honda cars, bikes and racing machines. Reopened March 2024 after full renovation.

HONDA HQ

🏛️ RESERVATION-ONLY HERITAGE HALL

NISSAN HERITAGE COLL.

🌐 SITE 📍 MAP

~450 Nissans preserved; reservation-only (JP-language site); ~90-min visit.

RESERVATION

🏛️ VISITOR CENTER + PLANT TOUR

SUBARU VISITOR CENTER

🌐 SITE 📍 MAP

Visitor center + Yajima plant tour; reservation (JP site) required, tour is JP-only.

MUSEUM

🏛️ HIROSHIMA FACTORY MUSEUM

MAZDA MUSEUM

🌐 SITE 📍 MAP

Hiroshima factory museum covering Mazda history. Booking required; English-language tours available.

MAZDA HQ

🏛️ FULL SUZUKI HISTORY MUSEUM

SUZUKI PLAZA MUSEUM

🌐 SITE 📍 MAP

Motorcycles, cars and marine engines from Suzuki's full history. Advance reservation required (JP site).

SUZUKI HQ

🏁 HOME OF THE F1 JAPAN GP

SUZUKA CIRCUIT

🌐 SITE 📍 MAP

Honda-owned figure-8 circuit; hosts the F1 Japan GP annually.

F1 JAPAN

🏁 HONDA-BUILT MOTOGP HOST

MOBILITY RESORT MOTEGI

🌐 SITE 📍 MAP

Honda-built road course; 170-vehicle Collection Hall on site; MotoGP host.

MOTOGP

🏁 TOYOTA-OWNED WEC/GT VENUE

FUJI SPEEDWAY

🌐 SITE 📍 MAP

Toyota-owned track at Mt. Fuji's base; hosts WEC and Super GT.

WEC / GT

🏁 COMPACT SUPER GT CIRCUIT

OKAYAMA CIRCUIT

🌐 SITE 📍 MAP

Compact 3.7km road course; hosts Super GT and Super Formula Lights.

SUPER GT

🏁 KYUSHU MOUNTAIN CIRCUIT

AUTOPOLIS CIRCUIT

🌐 SITE 📍 MAP

Mountain circuit in Kyushu; hosts Super GT and Super Formula rounds.

KYUSHU

⚙️ JAPAN'S D1GP DRIFT ORIGIN

D1GP — EBISU CIRCUIT

🌐 SITE 📍 MAP

Seven-track + two-skidpad complex; D1GP now runs on the West Course.

DRIFT ORIGIN

⚙️ ICONIC NIGHTLY CAR MEET SPOT

DAIKOKU FUTO PA

🌐 SITE 📍 MAP

Iconic highway rest stop famous for spontaneous nightly car meets. Expressway-only access.

ICONIC VENUE

⚙️ GT-R BIRTHPLACE FACTORY TOUR

OPPAMA PLANT — NISSAN

🌐 SITE 📍 MAP

90-min factory tour (weekdays, JP-only). Vehicle production ends March 2028.

GT-R BIRTHPLACE

🏔️ AS SEEN IN: INITIAL D

HAKONE TURNPIKE

🌐 SITE 📍 MAP

15km mountain road; popular sports car driving route.

AS SEEN IN: INITIAL D

🏔️ 48 HAIRPINS TO LAKE CHŪZENJI

IROHAZAKA — NIKKŌ

🌐 SITE 📍 MAP

48 hairpins climbing to Lake Chūzenji. Public road.

AS SEEN IN: INITIAL D

🏔️ SCENIC MT. FUJI ASCENT

FUJI SUBARU LINE

🌐 SITE 📍 MAP

Mountain road ascending Mt. Fuji's north face to 5th station. No private cars Jul–early Sep.

SCENIC DRIVE

🚗 NISSAN GLOBAL HQ SHOWROOM

NISSAN GALLERY

🌐 SITE 📍 MAP

Walk-in showroom at Nissan's Yokohama global headquarters.

GLOBAL HQ

🚗 TOYOTA CENTURY BRAND STUDIO

CENTURY STUDIO — AOYAMA

🌐 SITE 📍 MAP

Toyota's Century brand studio; walk-in gallery, no reservation needed.

TOYOTA CENTURY

🚗 SUBARU HQ SHOWROOM

SUBARU STAR SQUARE

🌐 SITE 📍 MAP

Subaru HQ showroom with current models and goods.

SUBARU HQ

✈️ BOOK HOTELS NEAR MOTEGI FIND HOTELS → MOTEGI

Japan Car Trip Guide 2026: F1 Suzuka, JDM, Tōge & Car Museums

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