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).

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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!)

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Design Your Own Shirakawa Daruma

There are records of Shirakawa Daruma (Japanese traditional dolls) being sold as far back as the feudal reign of the Niwa Domain in 1627. Current Shirakawa Daruma are known as “Shirakawa Tsurugame Shochikubai Daruma.” The faces of these dolls are painted to incorporate various animals and plants, with the eyebrows representing cranes, the mustache representing a turtle, the ears representing pines and plum trees, and the beard representing bamboo or pine trees. All of these images are thought to bring good luck. The daruma is known to be a very classical, lucky talisman, started by Matsudaira Sadanobu, the lord of Shirakawa, when he hired the renowned painter Tani Buncho to paint the now famous face on the daruma doll. Once every year a large Shirakawa Daruma Market is held to celebrate and sell the beloved daruma dolls. You can paint your own daruma at the two daruma workshops in town!
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