Sendai Hi-Land Raceway
Sendai Hi-Land Raceway at a glance
- Location
- Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture
- Type
- historic circuit (defunct)
- Length
- 4.03 km (2.504 mi)
- Surface
- asphalt
- Opened
- 1986
- Owner
- Aoba Golf (final owner; site now cleared for a solar-power park)
Track map and layout

Sendai Hi-Land Raceway was a 4.030 km mountain circuit built into the hills of Aoba-ku, Sendai, in Miyagi Prefecture, known for a demanding, undulating layout typical of Japan's mountain-terrain tracks. The circuit no longer exists in any drivable form: it was permanently closed in 2014 after earthquake damage and financial pressure, and by 2018 the site had been completely cleared to make way for solar panel installation, so there is nothing left to visit today.
Events and race weekends
While active, Sendai Hi-Land Raceway hosted rounds of the Japanese Touring Car Championship and Japanese Grand Touring Championship in the 1990s, All-Japan Formula Three Championship races until 2007, and a round of the Super Taikyu Endurance Series in 2010. It was also used extensively for manufacturer testing, including development work for the Nissan GT-R. No events have been held at the site since its 2014 closure.
Getting there and parking
Sendai Hi-Land Raceway no longer exists as a visitable site; the land has been fully cleared and converted for solar power generation, with no circuit infrastructure remaining.
Hotels and camping near Sendai Hi-Land Raceway
There is no visitor accommodation guidance for Sendai Hi-Land Raceway since the circuit has been demolished and the site repurposed.
Track days, driving experiences and lap records
Sendai Hi-Land Raceway offers no public track days, driving experiences or spectator access; the circuit was fully dismantled after closure.
Spectator guide
There is no spectator access to Sendai Hi-Land Raceway; the site has been cleared and no longer functions as a circuit.
History of Sendai Hi-Land Raceway
A mountain circuit for Japan's national series
Sendai Hi-Land Raceway opened on 21 September 1986 in the hills above Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, quickly becoming a regular stop for Japan's leading national racing categories. Through the 1990s it hosted rounds of the Japanese Touring Car Championship and the Japanese Grand Touring Championship (JGTC), and it continued to host All-Japan Formula Three Championship races until 2007.
A testing ground and endurance venue
Beyond its competitive calendar, Sendai became a valued testing venue for Japanese manufacturers, most notably featuring in development work for the Nissan GT-R. The circuit also hosted a round of the Super Taikyu Endurance Series in October 2010, keeping it active on the national calendar even as financial pressures mounted for its operators.
Earthquake damage and closure
The circuit sustained damage in the devastating 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, compounding financial difficulties that ultimately proved terminal. In September 2014, owner Aoba Golf announced the raceway's permanent closure, with plans to convert the land into a solar-power park. By 2018 the site had been completely cleared of circuit infrastructure and fitted with solar panels, ending Sendai Hi-Land Raceway's near three-decade run as one of Tohoku's principal motorsport venues.
Frequently asked questions
Does Sendai Hi-Land Raceway still exist?+
No. The circuit closed permanently in September 2014 and by 2018 the site had been completely cleared and converted into a solar-power park.
Why did Sendai Hi-Land Raceway close?+
The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake damaged the facility, and combined with ongoing financial difficulties for owner Aoba Golf, led to its permanent closure in 2014.
What racing series used Sendai Hi-Land Raceway?+
It hosted the Japanese Touring Car Championship and JGTC in the 1990s, All-Japan Formula Three until 2007, and a Super Taikyu Endurance Series round in 2010, alongside manufacturer testing including Nissan GT-R development.
Can you visit the former Sendai Hi-Land Raceway site?+
No circuit infrastructure remains; the land is now a solar-power installation with no public motorsport access.
Other tracks nearby
- Sportsland SUGO · 22 km · road course
- Mobility Resort Motegi (formerly Twin Ring Motegi) · 204 km · road course & oval
- Tsukuba Circuit · 251 km · road course
- Fuji Speedway · 367 km · road course
- Tokachi International Speedway · 524 km · road course
- Suzuka Circuit · 541 km · road course
Facts checked against 2 sources including the official circuit website. Last reviewed 2026-09-11.
