Ever since the concept of drift racing was born in Japan in the 1970s and 80s, drifting culture has steadily increased in popularity to become a global phenomenon. These days, elite drift racers appear in competitions across the world in highly-modified cars, burning through tyres and kicking up smoke wherever they go.
The technique involved in drifting is simple to understand but difficult to master – drivers hone their skills over years to perfect the difficult technique of sending the car sliding sideways through corners at full speed. Japan’s legendary car culture and natural abundance of mountain pass roads – known as ‘touge’ – made it the perfect ecosystem for the birth of this wild and exciting motorsport.
Drifting is a part of Japan’s underground culture, and there’s nowhere better to experience it for yourself than at the circuit known as ‘drifting Mecca’.
What is the Ebisu Circuit?
Based just outside of Nihonmatsu City, the Ebisu Circuit is home to several full-size tracks. Some of these are designed for drifting full-time, while others are more for traditional ‘grip’ racing, and only open for drifting during the thrice-annual Ebisu Drift Festival.
The circuit also houses several drift schools, the biggest of which is the Sideways Experience. In addition to running classes and renting vehicles to visitors to the circuit, the Sideways crew also provide a Hot Laps experience, letting you ride along in a real drift car as it whips you around the track.
The Hot Laps Experience
If you’re into drifting culture, or just like cars, or even just want a rollercoaster-style shot of adrenaline, the Hot Laps at Ebisu make for a pulse-pounding experience.
We went to try it for ourselves, visiting The Sideways Experience at their headquarters at the Kita (north) course, and then jumping into the passenger seat to take a few loops around the track.
If you’ve never been in a drift car before, it is a sensory overload, from the smell of burning rubber to the screech of tyres as the pro drivers swing around corners. Although you’re tightly cinched into your seat by a racing seatbelt, the dramatic momentum shifts and high speeds make for a thrilling time on the track.
Bookings can be made in advance on the reservation page.
All members of the Sideways team speak English and can help you with any concerns or problems.
Ride & Drive
As a working drift school, Sideways also offer the possibility of getting behind the wheel for yourself and learning the basics of drifting from a professional teacher. This was a great eye-opener for me, as I had no idea just how complex it is to send a car into an extended drift. I also managed to throw in a few doughnuts for the camera!
The Ride & Drive experience also gives you a chance to jump into a Toyota AE86 (known as a hachi-roku, eight-six), a legendary car made famous by the manga and anime Initial D. Those booking this experience also get to jump in the AE86 for their Hot Laps, so if you’d like to learn to drift in an AE86 on a Japanese track, this is your chance.
The AE86 Ride & Drive experience is currently being prepared and aims to be open for bookings sometime in spring 2026. Thank you for your patience.
Q&A
What do I need to bring?
A driver’s license is not required to do either the Hot Laps experience nor the Ride & Drive. Helmets can be borrowed on-site.
How much does it cost?
The Hot Laps experience is a flat fee of 25,000 yen per person for three laps. The car only has room for one passenger at this time. Passengers must pay a separate fee of 2,200 yen at the front gate for ridealongs, which includes a 500 yen mandatory insurance.
The exclusive Ride & Drive experience in the AE86, opening soon, costs 66,000 yen, and includes the Hot Laps experience followed by two 10 minute sessions with a professional driver on the Kuru Kuru Land drift pad. Drivers must pay a separate fee of 3,000 yen at the front gate, which includes the 500 yen insurance.
Can I choose my favourite track?
Visitors can choose from one of Ebisu Circuit’s famous tracks for the Hot Laps – Kita (north), Nishi (west) or Touge (mountain pass). Please be aware that some tracks are sometimes unavailable on event days or special occasions.
Is there an age or height restriction?
In general, there are no restrictions, but participants must be tall enough to be cinched into a racing seatbelt across the chest.
Can I rent a car and drive for longer?
For car rentals, please contact the Sideways Experience directly.
Getting to the Ebisu Circuit
While driving up from Tokyo is possible, it's a long journey - upwards of three and a half hours - that mostly sticks to highways and can be costly for toll roads.
Many visitors choose to take the shinkansen (bullet train) as far as Koriyama Station - taking about 75 minutes from Tokyo Station - then rent a car there to drive to the circuit. Popular rental services include:
These all have stores at Koriyama Station and can be reserved online in English.
(Overseas visitors using rental cars must have a valid license to drive in Japan, such as an International Driver's Permit acquired in your home country..)
Taking a local train as far as Nihonmatsu Station, then a taxi to the circuit, is also a potential option, since the Sideways Experience staff will pick you up from the front gate of the circuit.
