This article is an English translation of the original Japanese article based on firsthand experience.（この記事は日本語記事の翻訳です。）
You can read the original Japanese version here（オリジナル記事はこちらら読むことが可能です。）:
日本語版はこちら
Choosing where to stay is one of the most important decisions when planning a visit to Suzuka Circuit.
In this article, TKD — based in Tochigi but a Suzuka regular for over 15 years — breaks down the options across three criteria.
- Ease of access to the circuit
- Convenience, including nearby facilities and entertainment areas
- Accommodation price range
To enjoy your race weekend comfortably, it is best to book your accommodation as early as possible.
Introduction
When planning a trip to Suzuka Circuit for F1, SUPER GT, SUPER FORMULA, or other major events, choosing where to stay is one of the most important factors in making the trip comfortable, unless you live locally or can easily travel there without staying overnight.
Suzuka Circuit is somewhat unusual among major international circuits in that it is located close to an urban area. At first glance, that makes it seem like there should be plenty of accommodation options. In reality, however, the situation is not quite that simple, and choosing where to stay based on the circuit’s location is the key to a successful trip.
Since first attending F1 at Suzuka in 2010, TKD has been visiting the circuit several times a year for more than 15 years.
Based on that firsthand experience and the latest information, here are three recommended areas to stay when visiting Suzuka Circuit.
- 🥇The safest choice with the fewest drawbacks ⇒ Around Kintetsu Yokkaichi Station（Excellent access and right next to the entertainment district）
- 🥈The best overall balance for visitors coming from farther away ⇒ Nagoya（A wide range of hotels and sightseeing options）
- 🥉A bit more expensive, but with almost unlimited ways to enjoy your trip ⇒ Osaka（Offers almost everything except proximity to the circuit）
Hopefully, this article will help you choose the best place to stay for your Suzuka trip.
※ This article is written primarily with visitors travelling from the Kanto region in mind.
What to Consider When Choosing Where to Stay
Suzuka City Is Close — But Not Recommended
Well-located hotels in Suzuka city are extremely competitive, and in reality, you should assume that it will be very difficult to secure a room.
During F1 in particular, it’s not just a booking race — in many cases, you may not even get the chance to compete for a reservation.
If you do manage to find a room, access to the circuit is excellent, but it is best to think of this as “lucky if you can get it” rather than something you can rely on.
Think About Access and Flexibility Together
When choosing where to stay, it is important to have multiple ways to get to the circuit (car, train, and bus).
Even if you plan to drive, being able to use public transportation as a backup makes a big difference if something unexpected happens.
Also, choosing accommodation based only on how close it is to the circuit can sometimes backfire. Limited transportation options can end up increasing your overall cost.
The key is to judge based on overall ease of access, not just distance.
Balance Accommodation Cost and Surroundings
In addition to access, the availability of nearby facilities and restaurants is also an important factor.
If you want to enjoy sightseeing or good food after the race, it is worth considering large cities such as Nagoya or Osaka.
If you want to keep accommodation costs down, large cities can actually be good options as well.
Normally, hotels in big cities are more expensive, but during race week, prices around Suzuka often rise so much that city hotels can be cheaper — a kind of price reversal.
It is best to compare the total cost, including transportation, rather than looking at the hotel price alone.
Three Recommended Areas
How you spend the time after the race — and how comfortable your overall stay is — depends heavily on where you choose to base yourself.
Drawing on years of firsthand experience, here are TKD’s three recommended areas for Suzuka Circuit visits.
🥇 Around Kintetsu Yokkaichi Station | The Best Overall Choice — Works for Any Plan
When visiting Suzuka Circuit, staying within Mie Prefecture makes the most sense in terms of access.
Among those options, the area around Kintetsu Yokkaichi Station offers the best balance of access, convenience, and price, making it the strongest overall choice.
By car, it takes about 30–40 minutes in normal conditions, and by train it is about 20 minutes from Kintetsu Yokkaichi Station to Shiroko Station, so access is excellent.
There are many restaurants and bars around the station, so you can enjoy dinner and nightlife after the race.
A public bath facility I found during the 2025 Suzuka 8 Hours race is also worth mentioning — it is a great place to relax after a long day at the circuit and prepare for the next day.
Just between us, the nightlife here is pretty good too… (>ｏ<) haha
Yamako — a recommended standing bar near Kintetsu Yokkaichi Station
The only drawback is that there are not many major tourist attractions nearby.
However, if you have extra time, you can also visit Ise Grand Shrine or Nagoya, so this is not a major disadvantage.
Highlights and Drawbacks
- Excellent access to Suzuka Circuit
- Kintetsu Yokkaichi Station has good access to both Nagoya and Osaka
- Many restaurants and convenience stores around the station, making it very convenient
- Not many major tourist attractions nearby
- Prices increase and reservations become very difficult during F1
👉 High prices and limited availability during race week can sometimes be avoided by using weekly apartments. For more details, see this article:
Recommended Hotels
- Miyako Hotel Yokkaichi (close to the station with an upscale feel)
- Sanco Inn Yokkaichi Ekimae (good value and suitable for business-style stays)
Accommodation in Yokkaichi can be searched and booked through the travel sites below.
Also worth reading:
🥈 Nagoya City | A Bit Further Away, But Excellent Access and Plenty to Do After the Race
Suzuka Circuit is, as far as I know, the only circuit in Japan that can be accessed by train and on foot.
If you take advantage of this, Nagoya becomes a realistic and comfortable place to stay. In fact, I used Nagoya as my base for F1 visits until 2024.
It takes about 90–120 minutes by car, but the biggest advantage is the variety of public transportation options.
You can take the JR Rapid Mie train directly to Suzuka Circuit Ino Station, or take the Kintetsu Line to Shiroko or Hiratacho Station and then use a bus or walk to the circuit.
From Nagoya Station, the travel time is about 60–80 minutes, which is faster than many people expect.
Needless to say, Nagoya has plenty of restaurants, nightlife, and entertainment after the race.
As one of Japan’s largest cities after Tokyo and Osaka, Nagoya has many entertainment districts and night spots, so you will have no trouble finding something to do after the race.
There are also many hotels, and if you search carefully, you can sometimes find accommodation that is not affected by F1 price surges.
Nagoya also has good access to Chubu Centrair International Airport and Haneda Airport.
For visitors traveling by plane, Nagoya is a base that offers both convenience and comfort.
Nagoya Osu Shopping Street
Highlights and Drawbacks
- Ideal for Shinkansen and air travelers
- Accessible by both car and train (Kintetsu or JR + Ise Railway)
- Many hotels with a wide range of price options
- Great for food, sightseeing, and nightlife after the race
- Travel time is slightly longer
- Popular hotels tend to increase prices during F1 week
Recommended Hotels
- Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel (directly connected to Nagoya Station and very comfortable)
- Vessel Hotel Campana Nagoya (has a public bath and offers good value)
Accommodation in Nagoya can be searched and booked through the travel sites below.
Also worth reading:
🥉 Osaka City | A Realistic Option If You Use the Limited Express Train
Some people may wonder whether Osaka is really a viable option.
If you are traveling from the Kanto region, you will actually pass Suzuka and continue on to Osaka.
However, if you cannot find accommodation in Yokkaichi or Nagoya, Osaka can be a surprisingly good alternative base.
By car, it takes a little over two hours using the expressway, and by Kintetsu limited express, it takes about two hours by train.
You will need to pay expressway tolls or limited express fares, but if you can save on hotel costs in Osaka, where prices are less affected by F1 demand, the total cost may actually be lower.
As for what to do after the race, Osaka is one of the largest cities in Japan, so there is no shortage of things to do.
Food, sightseeing, shopping, and nightlife — there are so many options that it can be hard to choose.
Osaka also has good access to both Itami Airport and Kansai International Airport, so if you are flying, Osaka is a very convenient place to stay.
It can also be a good idea to plan your trip as both a race trip and a sightseeing trip, with Osaka as your base.
Streets near Dotonbori
Highlights and Drawbacks
- Good access from the Kansai area — direct access to Suzuka by Kintetsu limited express
- A versatile base for both racing and sightseeing
- A wide range of hotels with various price ranges
- About two hours of travel is required (early departure is recommended)
- Hotel prices are typical big-city prices and can be relatively high
Recommended Hotels
- Hotel Granvia Osaka (directly connected to Osaka Station, very convenient)
- LIBER Hotel at Universal Studios Japan (great if you want to combine racing with sightseeing)
Accommodation in Osaka can be searched and booked through the travel sites below.
Also worth reading:
Recommended Areas Summary
Here is a summary of the three recommended areas based on access, total cost, and things to do after the race.
Key: ◎ = Best / ○ = Acceptable / △ = Some drawbacks. Travel times are estimates for normal conditions; during major events, travel times may increase due to traffic and congestion.
| Area | Access | Accommodation & Transport Cost | Post-Race Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Around Kintetsu Yokkaichi Station | ◎ (30–40 min) | ◎ (Prices increase during F1) | ◎ (Smaller than a big city, but you will not have any trouble finding places to eat or relax) |
| Nagoya | ○ (1–2 hours) | ○ (Wide range of options) | ◎ (One of Japan’s major cities) |
| Osaka | △ (About 2 hours) | ◎ (Less affected by F1 price surges) | ◎ (One of Japan’s largest cities) |
Conclusion
Choosing where to stay is one of the most important parts of planning a trip to Suzuka Circuit.
During F1 weekend, all areas become very busy, so booking early should be your top priority.
- 🥇The safest choice ⇒ Around Kintetsu Yokkaichi Station (Excellent access and a lively area around the station)
- 🥈The best balance for visitors coming from far away ⇒ Nagoya (Great for sightseeing and a wide range of hotels)
- 🥉A bit more travel cost, but plenty to enjoy ⇒ Osaka (Great for everything except proximity to the circuit)
Choose the area that best matches your travel style and enjoy your Suzuka trip.
Also worth reading:
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