Suzuka Circuit Park: Fun for the Whole Family

As a huge motorsports fan, I was super excited to visit Suzuka Circuit with my family. This legendary Japanese racetrack hosts the F1 Japanese Grand Prix each year, along with a range of other international motorsport events. Did you know that right next door to the circuit, there is a kid-friendly amusement park that is perfect for families?

Written by John Asano

Suzuka Circuit Park

Suzuka Circuit Park is an amusement park with a wide variety of family-friendly attractions located right next to the legendary Suzuka Circuit, where the F1 Japanese Grand Prix is held. You can find all kinds of rides here, from hands-on go-karts to adrenaline-pumping rollercoasters. Little ones can enjoy rides designed just for them, while thrill seekers can chase the rush of faster, more daring adventures.

Kochira’s Putti Town

We started our day at Kochira’s Putti Town near the park entrance. This area has lots of rides that small children can enjoy. First up was Putti Grand Prix, an attraction that allows visitors to drive a mini racing car around a scaled-down version of the Suzuka Circuit. Each two-seater car has a speed-up button, letting drivers overtake others on the track. The goal? Set the fastest lap time and earn a graded driving license based on your performance.

Next, we tried the Tic Tac Train ride, a ride that allows you to become a train driver. The challenge is to keep the train on schedule, aiming to arrive at the station in exactly 3 minutes and 10 seconds. If you succeed, you receive a special driver’s license. I quickly realized controlling a train is trickier than it looks, and my respect for train drivers increased a lot after this ride.

We also hopped aboard the Run-Run Balloon, a hot-air balloon monorail soaring over the park. Apart from the amazing bird’s-eye view of the park, there is also a fun game at the end of the course, where you use the observation camera to drop a ball at the target below.

GP Field

After enjoying the smaller rides, we headed to the GP Field area for the Duel GP rollercoaster. This is a car-like rollercoaster that you can control yourself while competing with the rollercoaster next to you. It was a lot of fun to battle with another person and come out on top. Steering correctly requires skill, as miscalculations can spin your car and cost you precious seconds. We received a cool card at the end of our battle commemorating our victory.

The Circuit Wheel Ferris Wheel gives you a full view of Suzuka Circuit from the sky, including fantastic views of Ise Bay, the Suzuka Mountains and the Suzuka Circuit Racing Course.

Circuit Challenger

This was our favorite ride of the day and one of the most popular, the Circuit Challenger. This two-seater electric go-kart allows visitors to drive on part of the actual Suzuka Circuit, the very track where the F1 cars roar during the Japanese Grand Prix. As a massive F1 fan, this was a huge deal for me.

In this unique ride, you take on the role of a test driver developing a race car. During the race, you are challenged to perform various maneuvers via instructions. Your performance is recorded on a data card you insert into the car. The various maneuvers you will be required to perform include turning the steering wheel to check the handling of the car, stopping on the starting grid, starting the race at the correct time, and changing gears correctly at various sections of the track.

After this unforgettable ride, you will receive a computer printout from the data station near the exit. It shows your score in each category, giving you a clear evaluation of your performance.

Lunch

Feeling a little hungry, we stopped to refuel at the Bun Bun Pancake shop. This family-friendly restaurant specializes in pancakes and a variety of dishes that kids will love. We tried the Hamburg steak and omurice (Japanese omelet rice) set, which hit the spot perfectly and gave us energy to enjoy the afternoon.

Puto’s Mobi Park

After lunch, we went to Puto’s Mobi Park area for the Acro X Evolution ride. This off-road attraction challenges you to navigate bumpy terrain and shallow water in an all-terrain vehicle, testing your speed, power, and coordination. Your score depends on how well you follow instructions from the narrator over the various sections of the course.

Batto’s Adventure Village

Next was Batto’s Adventure Village, themed around exploration and problem-solving. We boarded the Adven Boat Frontier with the mission of navigating seven obstacles while trying to reach the goal safely before the boat’s energy ran out. It was certainly challenging to say the least. Luckily there are “power rings” along the route that help restore the boat’s energy. After that, we enjoyed the Garden Maze Potagenne, a 3D maze full of vegetables and fruits where you have to navigate your way to the goal on the fifth floor.

Other Attractions and Nearby Spots

The northern area of Mie Prefecture is also home to other family-friendly spots such as Nabana no Sato and the Gozaisho Ropeway.

Wrap Up

Whether you’re a motorsport enthusiast or just seeking an adventurous day out with the family, Suzuka Circuit Park delivers excitement, laughter, and unforgettable memories, and is a must-visit spot in Mie Prefecture.

Information

Suzuka Circuit Park
Address: 7992 Inou-cho, Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture
Open Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Price: Suzuka Circuit Park Passport from 4,800 yen for adults (including admission and unlimited rides)
Suzuka Circuit Park Passport from 3,400 yen for children (7-12 years old)
Suzuka Circuit Park Passport from 2,200 yen for infants (3-6 years old)
Admission and attractions are free for children aged 0-2 years old.
Note: The opening hours and prices vary depending on the time of year. The Circuit Challenger attraction requires a separate fee.

How to Get There

From Nagoya, take the Kintetsu Limited Express from Nagoya Station to Shiroko Station, which is a 40-minute trip. From Osaka, take the Kintetsu Limited Express from Osaka Namba Station to Shiroko Station, which will take around 100 minutes. From Shiroko Station, take the Mie Kotsu Bus for 20 minutes to reach Suzuka Circuit.