The Cultural Guide to Suzuka

VCARB

have

arrived

Japan

for

round

three

the

2025

FIA

Formula

One

World

Championship.

Isack

and

Liam

are

eager

hit

the

ground

running

the

Suzuka

Circuit

with

plenty

learn

from

Australia

and

China.

To celebrate the FORMULA 1 LENOVO JAPANESE GRAND PRIX 2025, VCARB are diving into what makes Suzuka the ultimate hub for motorsport, music, movies and more.

This is VCARB’s Cultural Guide to Suzuka.

SuzukaSoundsSweet

Suzuka is a quiet city with a population of less than 200,000 people. The city’s music scene has been moulded by the rich motorsport heritage and its traditional roots in the textile and electrical industry. For a wider-reaching, international music scene, Osaka is the place for you - two hours west of the Suzuka Circuit.

The Suzuka River Fireworks Festival is a must-see and features traditional taiko percussion performances, offering an authentic Japanese experience like nowhere else. Suzuka holds regular Matsuri (festivals) of other traditional Japanese music forms, including gagaku (10th-century classical court music) and enka (pre-war pop/folk ballads). If you’re visiting the city of Suzuka, stop by Shimamuragakki Ionmorusuzukaten, a local music store full of traditional Japanese instruments and physical media. Japan is the world’s largest market for physical media, such as CDs and vinyl, after all!

The underground music scene is epic across the entirety of Japan, but there are plenty of places to discover new music in Suzuka. Local magazines and flyers advertise intimate gigs all across the city, and they are not to be missed. The Suzuka Sound Stage is one of the leading ‘small live houses’ in the city, hosting live music almost every night, only 15 minutes away from the circuit!

Underground Japan

SuzukaistheHomeofJapaneseRacing

The Suzuka International Racing Course has been a staple of the Formula One calendar since 1987 and has been the home of some iconic racing moments. Who remembers Jacques Villeneuve losing a wheel at turn one in 1997? Or Kimi Räikkönen’s legendary charge through the pack in 2005? Although it serves as the third round for the 2025 calendar, Suzuka has often been one of the final rounds of a season – and consequently, has hosted the title-deciding race 13 times. Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost’s infamous 1989 battle was decided at Suzuka. Michael Schumacher’s first Ferrari title in 2000, too. Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen also sealed the deal around Suzuka in 2011 and 2022, respectively.

The stats don’t lie, so if you’d like to visit the crowning point of multiple F1 World Champions, Suzuka should be at the top of your list.

Blossom Only Means One Thing

SightseeinginSuzuka

The Suzuka Circuit was built by Honda to serve as their test facility, and the team has a factory just 10 minutes down the road. While Honda doesn’t offer year-round tours, they occasionally open their doors for an exclusive peek behind the curtain, so keep your fingers crossed.

Nagoya is the closest major city to Suzuka and hosts a one-day Ghibli Park Tour – quite apt in the current wave of AI-generated images inspired by the great movie studio. It’s a must-do while you’re in Suzuka.

If you’d prefer to stay close to the F1 action, there’s a theme park and playground perfect for families right at the centre of Suzuka Circuit. The Tsubaki Ogamiyashiro Shrine is an important religious site that offers a beautiful look at the traditional roots of Japan, and you should follow this up with a visit to the Suzuka Forest Garden for your top-notch cherry blossom Instagram pics.

Take a visit to the beautiful coastal towns a few miles south of the circuit. Shiroko offers incredible views of Ise Bay and is home to some of the best seafood restaurants in Japan. Trust us.

Suzuka might be small in comparison to the major cities, but there’s plenty to take in. And we hope you do.

How Do You Know It's The Japanese GP?

Formula1inSuzuka

The thing you’re visiting for, obviously. VCARB are in high spirits in Suzuka, full of positivity that we can make it our best race of the season so far. Isack is performing well, and Liam is familiar withthis track , so all the pieces are falling into place for a successful Japanese Grand Prix for the VCARB 02.

See you in the paddock from 4-6 April!