Okayama International Circuit
Okayama International Circuit at a glance
- Location
- Mimasaka, Okayama Prefecture
- Type
- road course
- Length
- 3.703 km (2.301 mi)
- Turns
- 13
- Direction
- clockwise
- Surface
- asphalt
- Opened
- 1990
- Owner
- Aska Corporation
Track map and layout
Okayama International Circuit's Grand Prix layout is 3.703 km with 13 turns, a compact, undulating road course originally built as a private test and racing facility for wealthy owners rather than a public venue. A separate 3.747 km, 17-turn motorcycle configuration and the shorter 1.956 km, 8-turn Piper Circuit share parts of the same footprint, giving the site flexibility for different racing disciplines. The circuit's tight, flowing character made it a demanding, high-grip layout during its brief run as a Formula 1 venue in the mid-1990s and remains a technical challenge for Japan's domestic GT and Super Formula Lights competitors today.
Configurations
| Layout | Length | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix Circuit | 3.70 km | 3.703 km, 13-turn layout used for Super GT, Porsche Carrera Cup Japan and historically Formula 1 |
| Motorcycle Circuit | 3.75 km | 3.747 km, 17-turn configuration, current since 2020 |
| Piper Circuit | 1.95 km | 1.956 km, 8-turn shorter layout |
Events and race weekends
Okayama traditionally opens the Super GT season each April, making it a key early-season stop for Japan's premier GT championship. The circuit also hosts Porsche Carrera Cup Japan and Super Formula Lights rounds through the spring and early summer. It briefly held Formula 1's Pacific Grand Prix in 1994 and 1995, both won by Michael Schumacher, before F1 moved on from the venue.
| Event | Series | When | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super GT Okayama round | Super GT | April | traditional season opener |
| Porsche Carrera Cup Japan Okayama round | Porsche Carrera Cup Japan | May | one-make GT series |
| Super Formula Lights Okayama round | Super Formula Lights | June | open-wheel feeder series |
Getting there and parking
The circuit sits in rural Mimasaka, Okayama Prefecture, without a station directly at the track. For major events such as Super GT, shuttle buses run from JR Yoshinaga Station (reached via the Sanyo Line from JR Okayama Station), roughly every 30-50 minutes on race day. Without a shuttle, the usual route is a train to the nearest station followed by a 20-30 minute taxi ride.
- Okayama Momotaro Airport (OKJ)
Parking
On-site parking is available for event days; specific pricing was not confirmed from official sources.
On Super GT weekend, use the JR Yoshinaga Station shuttle bus rather than trying to reach the circuit by taxi alone, since the ride from other nearby stations can take 20-30 minutes each way.
Hotels and camping near Okayama International Circuit
Most visitors base themselves in Okayama City, the prefecture's main hub with the widest choice of hotels and the best rail connections, roughly an hour or more from the circuit depending on the route. Smaller towns closer to the track have limited accommodation.
Where to look
Okayama City (main hotel base, best rail links); Mimasaka and surrounding towns (closer to the circuit but with limited accommodation).
Track days, driving experiences and lap records
Okayama International Circuit offers paid test-drive sessions on regular business days (excluding some race days and holidays) where visitors can bring their own car or motorcycle onto the circuit; specific dates need to be confirmed directly with the venue, and no dedicated third-party driving school was confirmed from official sources.
Who runs days here
- Okayama International Circuit (official test-drive days)both
Lap records
| Category | Time | Driver | Car | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 race lap record | 1:14.023 | Michael Schumacher | Benetton-Ford | 1994 |
Spectator guide
Grandstands cluster around the start-finish straight and early corners, giving Super GT and Carrera Cup fans clear views of the opening laps and pit lane activity. The circuit's compact layout means several corners can often be viewed from a single general-admission vantage point.
Seating
Grandstands are positioned along the main straight and start-finish area.
Weather
- April (Super GT season opener): mild spring weather, daytime highs typically around 18-20°C
History of Okayama International Circuit
A private circuit for the wealthy
Okayama International Circuit opened in 1990 under the name TI Circuit Aida (a reference to its original developer, Tanaka International), built as a private motorsport facility in rural Okayama Prefecture. Its unusually plush original concept, catering to well-heeled members and private track use, set it apart from the more utilitarian circuits typical of Japan at the time.
A brief moment on the Formula 1 calendar
The circuit's biggest claim to international fame came in 1994 and 1995, when it hosted the Formula 1 Pacific Grand Prix as F1 briefly ran two Japanese-region races each season alongside Suzuka. Michael Schumacher won both editions, cementing an early-career highlight at a track otherwise little known outside Japan; F1 did not return to the venue after 1995.
Ownership changes and the Okayama rebrand
Ownership passed from Tanaka International to Unimat Corporation in 2004, and the circuit was renamed Okayama International Circuit in 2005, dropping the TI Circuit Aida name. Aska Corporation has owned the venue since 2012. Despite its relatively low international profile since the F1 years, the circuit remains an important fixture on Japan's domestic calendar, traditionally opening the Super GT season each April and hosting Porsche Carrera Cup Japan and Super Formula Lights rounds through the following months.
Frequently asked questions
How long is Okayama International Circuit?+
The Grand Prix Circuit is 3.703 km (2.301 miles) long with 13 turns, run clockwise.
Did Formula 1 race at Okayama?+
Yes, the circuit (then called TI Circuit Aida) hosted the F1 Pacific Grand Prix in 1994 and 1995, both won by Michael Schumacher.
Why was the circuit renamed from TI Circuit Aida?+
The track was renamed Okayama International Circuit in 2005 after ownership passed from original developer Tanaka International to Unimat Corporation the previous year; it is now owned by Aska Corporation.
How do you get to Okayama International Circuit?+
There is no station directly at the circuit; on Super GT weekend, shuttle buses run from JR Yoshinaga Station (via the Sanyo Line from JR Okayama Station), otherwise a taxi from a nearby station takes 20-30 minutes.
Can the public drive Okayama International Circuit?+
The circuit offers paid test-drive sessions with your own car or motorcycle on select business days; specific dates should be confirmed directly with the venue.
What events does Okayama host?+
The circuit traditionally opens the Super GT season each April and also hosts Porsche Carrera Cup Japan and Super Formula Lights rounds.
Other tracks nearby
- Suzuka Circuit · 212 km · road course
- Mine Circuit · 298 km · historic circuit (defunct)
- Autopolis International Racing Course · 360 km · road course
- Fuji Speedway · 431 km · road course
- Taebaek Speedway (MJ Taebaek Circuit) · 526 km · road course
- Tsukuba Circuit · 536 km · road course
Facts checked against 2 sources including the official circuit website. Last reviewed 2026-09-11.