The devalued currency of Japan, which is currently at its lowest level against the US dollar in many years, is also driving a resurgence in tourism after strict travel restrictions were implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The race at Suzuka Circuit, known for its challenging curves and high-speed sections, attracted its largest crowd in nearly twenty years last year, partially due to an increase in the number of foreign visitors.
Eijiro Oda, the general manager of Suzuka Circuit, operated by Honda Mobilityland, expressed optimism about the upcoming race, stating: “With the yen falling even further and the arrival of the sakura season, we expect the number of international fans to equal or even surpass last year’s numbers.”
According to Honda Mobilityland, approximately 40,000 tickets were sold to international visitors last year, a fourfold increase compared to the years before the pandemic.
To promote the race on a global scale, the circuit began sharing content in English on social media platforms, providing travel recommendations and sightseeing tours.
Masumi Watabi, owner of a restaurant specializing in Japanese fish cake stew near Shiroko Station, where F1 fans typically board shuttle buses to the circuit, expressed his wish for the increase in foreign visitors to continue. He commented: “Last year, we saw a significant increase in foreign customers at my restaurant. This year, we hope to welcome even more international visitors during spring, when Japan is at its most beautiful.”
Watabi added that on the day of last year’s race, 80% of his customers were foreigners.
Speaking at the F1 fan festival event in Tokyo, 42-year-old Russian visitor Aleksandr Kriukov shared his excitement about his upcoming trip to Suzuka. He said, “I am looking forward to seeing the cherry blossoms and experiencing Suzuka. It is a wonderful moment for me. Spring is the perfect season.” (Report by Irene Wang)
