Just wonder if any sifus here did try out the Japanese GP (F1) at Suzuka Circuit before?
I will be going to the race this year in Oct with Nagoya as my base (hotel near train station) and will be there from Oct 3-6, before heading off to Tokyo (until Oct 11).

Any advice on, esp.
1) travel from Nagoya to Suzuka circuit,
2) things to do, see and try in Nagoya, Suzuka and the race circuit,
3) train from Nagoya to Tokyo (or any recommended stop over spot in between)

Thanks in advance!

Just return from Japan yesterday. Spent 9 great days at Nagoya-Suzuka(F1)-Tokyo & experienced 2 typhoons.
Luckily it didn't affect much of my trip. Only experienced rain on Sunday (5th) & Monday (6th) morning.

F1-Suzuka
It's easy to access to Suzuka circuit from Nagoya. JR offer special train service direct to Suzuka Inou Station during race weekend (about 1500+yen roundtrip) and from there, it's 20 min walk to the nearest gate or 30-40 min walk to main entrance via mobilityland park. Along the way, can see group of fans waiting by round side to wait for drivers to pass through and chase them for autograph. . Personally, i think D stand offered the best view, if seated at Block BB or BC, you can see Turn 1 then the famous S curve and see T5 & 6 clearly. On race day on 5th, whole day rain, but able to keep myself dry with just a rain coat from 100 yen shop. Continuous rain but not like the thunderstorm we have in MY. The only downside is the accident happened at the end of the race. Hope he is all well.

Nagoya to Tokyo Shinkansen
On Monday 6th suppose to take morning Shinkansen train ride from Nagoya to Tokyo, but all services suspended due to flood (Typhoon Phanfone). Spend the waiting time at Nagoya Station/Takashimaya and at that time they were having food fair to celebrate 50yrs of Tokaido Shinkansen. So, not bad. They resume service at about 1pm & manage to hob on one (unreserved seat-reserved, not selling that time). Have to stand throughout the journey - 3 hours!!! on Nozomi. But, the plus point is able to get a left window 'stand' seat... can see flooding at some area and able to see Fujisan clearly.

Disney Sea
Went on Thursday, 9th. Start Q before 8 am. As soon as the gate open, all people run towards Toy Story Mania & Tower of Terror for FP. They really run for it. As soon as i reached there already super long Q So, i choose a different route, start from Storm Rider-Raging Roller Coaster-Magic Lamp-Indiana Jones(FP)-Under the sea-Journey to Center of earth(FP) able to complete all these about noon along with other small rides and went to Journey to Center of Earth twice as the first time have to leave due to technical glitch just before getting onto the cart, saw some people actually stranded there. Afternoon only went Toy Story (about 80 min Q)-Tower of Terror(FP). Do have enough time to complete all major attractions & shows, maybe not a super peak season

For Sushi Dai, i went to on Tuesday, 7th and reached about 6:30am, Q for 4 hours, but it's worth the wait!
Accommodation Tokyo - i set base at Grand Pacific Le Daiba this time, which offered superb view of Rainbow bridge/tokyo tower & tokyo skytree sandwich between 2 building. The only downside is a bit far off, about 15 min train ride from Daiba to Shimbashi/Shiodome on Yurikamome line about 300+yen.

Then on return flight (12th early morning) due to typhoon (Vongfong?), have to detour to Philippine and the safety belt sign is on throughout the journey. Lucky to be able to sleep throughout, so no issue and landed safely.
Overall, great experience, and can't wait to be back there again!


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For consumable goods, i.e. kitkat, calbee, sk2, hadalabo... 5000 yen already can get tax refund.

Last month i went, can claim direct from the shop itself. They will help you put in a sealed bag, paste the tax refund doc & receipt on your passport, then you can pay at tax-free price. Of course must look for those shops that do tax refund. I did that at Don Quijote, Bic & pharmacies etc.

The only confusion is upon leaving the country, as i plan to check-in those tax free items (food & cosmetic), as usually for some other airports, you will need to carry those items and present to custom officer before/after immigration check point (after bag check-in). So, i check with the airport customer service, they advice us to go to the custom office next to check-in counter at Haneda. The officer just flip thru the documents, then remove it from passport & tell us you can go without checking the goods...

So, not sure if this step is required as that time the ruling for consumable still new (just started 1st Oct i think), may be you can check with the information counter before leaving just to be sure...