Ebisu Drift Matsuri (Ebisu Drift Festival)

Ebisu Drift Matsuri (Ebisu Drift Festival)

See our total guide to the festival for details on ticket prices, things to do in the area and more.

The Ebisu Circuit is a famous car racing track in Nihonmatsu, containing several drift schools. Three times a year, it holds the Ebisu Drift Matsuri (Ebisu Drift Festival), a thrilling event that gathers car drifting fans from across Japan and abroad.

The festival usually goes from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon, during which participants can drift all day and night in the designated courses for a set fee. 

There are typically three Drift Festivals a year:

  • Spring Drift Festival (ドリフト春祭り): Usually held in April or May
  • Summer Drift Festival (ドリフト夏祭り): Usually held in August
  • Autumn Drift Festival (ドリフト秋祭り): Usually held in November

Ebisu Drift Matsuri in 2026 (dates may be subject to change):

  • Spring: May 9th & 10th (Sat/Sun)
  • Summer: August 22nd & 23rd (Sat/Sun)
  • Autumn: November 14th & 15th (Sat/Sun)

Participating in the Drift Festival is a perfect opportunity to get the most out of a visit to the Ebisu Circuit. For instance, using the racing courses at the Circuit would normally require a reservation, but, during the event, participants are free to use the course of their liking between the available options. 

Because of that, cars run right next to each other, making the already exciting prospect of drifting even more adrenaline-packed!

To participate, you can register on the website before the event. 

Even if you cannot drive, you can make your way there to watch the incredible maneuvers of drifters as they screech their way through the courses. A big allure of the festival is the atmosphere of being among drivers and car enthusiasts.

For updated information, please refer to the official site of the Ebisu Circuit (in Japanese).

For things to do in Nihonmatsu while you're in town, check our article about the area.

Venue Details

Venue Details
Websitehttps://www.ebisu-circuit.com/
Best Season
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
Access Details
AccessSawamatsukura, Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Pref. 964-0088
View directions
Getting there

By Public Transportation from Tokyo: Tohoku, Yamagata or Akita Shinkansen (from Tokyo Station or Ueno Station) to Koriyama Station (~1 hour 20 minutes). From there, take a JR Tohoku Line train to Nihonmatsu Station (~25 minutes). At Nihonmatsu, rent a car or take a taxi to Ebisu Circuit. It takes between 3 to 3.5 hours to get from Tokyo to Ebisu Circuit from Tokyo using this route. Many visitors choose to rent a car at Koriyama Station, which has a wide range of options.

By Car: Approximately 3.5 hours from Tokyo Station (275 km) via the Tohoku Expressway, or 3.5 hours from Narita Airport (285 km) via the Joban Expressway and the Iwaki Niigata Route / Tohoku Expressway / Ban-Etsu Expressway (please note that roads may have tolls).

Nearby

The World Glassware Hall
Outdoor Activities

Bandai-Azuma Skyline Cycling Route

The Bandai-Azuma Skyline is one of the top cycling routes of Japan!  The route brings cyclists through dense green forests to volcanic terrain and sweeping views of Fukushima city and the volcanic peak of Mt. Kofuji, or “Little Fuji”. In autumn this course is warmed by vibrant autumn leaves, that make for a magical ride! Fukushima has routes for cyclists of all levels! Click here for more information about Cycling Courses and Events in Fukushima!  (Click here to read our blog about cycling the scenic Bandai-Azuma Skyline!)

The World Glassware Hall
Outdoor Activities

Ebisu Circuit

Ebisu Circuit is a multi-course motorsport facility in the hills above Nihonmatsu City. Rather than a single racetrack, it is a collection of separate courses built across a mountainside, connected by access roads and surrounded by forest. It was developed by Nobushige Kumakubo, a professional drifter who wanted a place dedicated to practice and grassroots driving. Over time, it became closely associated with drifting in particular, both domestically and internationally.The complex is divided into several courses, each with their own unique style and character. Kita (North Course) is one of the busiest areas, with cars running along a back section that brings car speeding past the spectator wall. Nishi (West Course), traditionally associated with grip driving, includes a short layout well-known for long drift trains.Higashi (East Course), usually a grip circuit, is opened for drifting during festival periods and also houses the main circuit office. The Touge (mountain pass) course winds through a narrower hilly section with tighter bends and noticeable elevation changes.Ebisu has also become a destination for overseas drivers. Many travel specifically to experience the different course layouts, enjoy the informal practice culture and chat with other drift enthusiasts. It is common to see privately owned cars ranging from lightly modified street builds to dedicated drift machines. The atmosphere during regular days is focused on driving rather than spectacle, with participants rotating through sessions and making adjustments between runs.Three times a year, the circuit hosts the Ebisu Drift Matsuri. The festival, typically held in spring, summer, and autumn, opens multiple courses for extended sessions over several days. Drivers move between tracks, often running late into the evening, and tandem drifting is a big attraction. Unlike formal competitions, the emphasis is on participation and meeting fellow drivers. For many visitors, the festival represents the most concentrated expression of Ebisu’s identity: a large group of drivers sharing the same mountain, rotating through its varied layouts, and focusing almost entirely on drifting. Learn more about the festival with our total guide.For visitors looking to experience drifting themselves, the Drift Taxi experience lets you ride as a passenger in a special drifting car while a professional driver speeds around the circuit. Booking and more information here.
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