Hello- I'm trying to keep my 1 new F1 race country per year streak going, so I purchased plane tickets to Tokyo and am planning to stay in Nagoya and then take the train to Suzuka. That's basically as far as I've gotten with the planning. In the past I've had great luck buying scalped tickets (Barcelona, Monaco) and managing travel/accommodations, but I'm a little intimidated with winging it in japan, as I don't speak the language at all. I'd love to hear advice/recommendations. Good places to stay? Riding the train... I understand there's a special train that goes direct from Nagoya to Suzuka on race day, but apparently you have to reserve your ticket. Are scalpers as common at this track as others I've been to? Any help appreciated. Please send email or respond to this thread. My PM box is full. Thanks! puff
Hotel: A bit late to get a hotel reservation in Nagoya for F1 weekend, but with perseverance, I am sure it can be done. A travel agent may be helpful here, especially one with Japan experience like Kintetsu, etc. I cannot recommend any particular hotel in Nagoya. I stayed in cities/towns to the South of Suzuka each of the three times I went, but I had Japanese friends with me each time to handle navigation and whatnot. It would have been challenging without their help, to say the least. Travel: If you are just going to go to Japan just to attend the race and then head directly home, you should probably buy train tickets as the need arises. Otherwise, it is likely that a JR Pass will save you some money. The 7-day pass costs ¥28,300, and it costs ¥24,120 just to get from Narita airport to Nagoya station and back (¥12,060 each way). You can scroll over to Japan in Google Maps and use the "Get Directions" feature to figure out routes and prices, and determine whether or not the JR Pass will be of value to you (it usually is). NOTE - Suzuka Circuit is NOT on a JR rail line, so this leg of the trip might cost additional out-of-pocket, but if so, it will not be much. Race: Scalpers were readily apparent every I went, but their prices are inflated of course, as demand always exceeds supply in Japan. Keep in mind ticket scalping is illegal there, too. Chance of rain in October is about 50/50 at Suzuka Circuit - last time I was there a freakin' typhoon rolled through on Saturday that delayed qualifying even - so general admission can be risky unless you enjoy sitting in mud for hours on end. For this reason, I recommend a grandstand seat, if you can get one. Language: Most major hotels have some English speaking staff, as do the major train stations. As with any country, learning just a few simple words and phrases will be met with great appreciation, for making the effort if nothing else. People: One time, I realized right after the bullet train I had been riding on had departed that I had left my sunglasses (nice ones) in the seat-back pocket of my seat. The next day, I was traveling on the same line in the same direction to the end of the line, so asked at the station about the sunglasses, and the sunglasses were returned to me. Not saying crime doesn't exist in Japan, because it definitely does, but I think just about anywhere in the U.S.A., those sunglasses would be long gone. Sounds like quite the adventure. Have fun! edit - You might want to make a similar post in the Asia section of the forum to reach Japan-based F-chatters.
I think that's awesome brother! I have been to the USGP (2007) and the Canadian GP (2010). While you are in that part of the world, why not stop in for the Korean GP. Tokyo and the Mokpo airport are probably only a few hours away from each other. Good luck and stay safe!
I lived in Korea for 2 years. I always carried a briefcase with me. One day I sat it down at a major crosswalk while I waited for the light to change. I got distracted and walked off without it. It was nearly 6 hours later when I realized that I didn't have my briefcase. I went back to the crosswalk and it was still standing right where I put it down.
