Ebisu Drift Matsuri: The Complete First-Timer's Guide (2026)
The Rundown
- Two matsuri remain in 2026: Summer on Aug 22–23 and Autumn on Nov 14–15, both confirmed on the official Ebisu page.
- Driving costs ¥20,000 if you enter in advance (¥25,000 on the day); watching costs ¥2,500 for the whole weekend.
- You do not need a motorsport licence — a normal driving licence is enough.
- Ebisu officially publishes an English rulebook and English entry form. You can enter without reading Japanese.
- Advance entry windows are short (Summer: Jul 26–Aug 7). Missing them costs you ¥5,000 and a pit spot.
Contents
If you only ever attend one drift event in your life, make it a matsuri (祭り — festival) at Ebisu Circuit. Three times a year, the mountainside complex in Fukushima opens every course it has and lets drifting run non-stop through the night. It is loud, chaotic, friendly, and unlike anything else in motorsport.
This guide covers the two remaining 2026 dates, what it costs, and exactly how to enter — including the part most English guides get wrong: the paperwork is easier than you think, because Ebisu now publishes it in English.
2026 dates (verified)
| Matsuri | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Aug 22–23, 2026 | Confirmed — advance entry Jul 26 to Aug 7 |
| Autumn | Nov 14–15, 2026 | Confirmed — advance entry Oct 11 to Oct 23 |
Both dates are published on the official Ebisu matsuri page (linked in Sources). Dates for each new year are typically announced in January — bookmark the official page, not a fan blog from three years ago.
What it costs
| You are… | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Driving (advance entry) | ¥20,000 | Entry only, no pit space |
| Driving (advance + pit) | ¥22,000–30,000 | Pit spots are booked online only |
| Driving (on the day) | ¥25,000 | No pit space |
| Sunday-only driving | ¥20,000 from 6:00 / ¥15,000 from 12:00 | Summer 2026 pricing |
| Spectating | ¥2,500 adult / ¥1,200 child | Valid the whole weekend |
| Ride-along insurance | ¥500 | If you ride passenger |
The advance window matters. Enter late and you pay ¥5,000 more, lose the pit option, and spend the weekend working out of your car in a field.
What actually happens at a matsuri
Driving starts Saturday morning and runs through the night into Sunday afternoon. Every course is open to every entrant: the high-speed Nishi and Higashi layouts that are normally reserved for competitions, the Kita course wall runs, the narrow Touge course, and the Kuru Kuru Land skid pads where beginners can spin in peace.
There are no timed sessions to qualify for and no judges. People run in trains — long chains of cars chasing each other — which is where the magic is. Saturday night on Kita course is the thing you will still be talking about years later.
How to enter (the English paperwork)
This is the part that used to stop overseas drivers. It no longer should:
- Read the official English rulebook. Ebisu publishes the matsuri rules and the entry form in English on the official matsuri page — download both.
- Enter on the booking site (MS-Event, linked in Sources) during the advance window. Web entry takes convenience-store or card payment. The form has a katakana name field; Ebisu’s own English note tells foreign entrants what to type if they can’t write katakana.
- Book a pit space at the same time if you want one — pit reservations are web-only.
You need a normal driving licence, a helmet (borrowable on site for some activities, but bring your own to drive), and a car. Long sleeves are standard.
Getting there without a car of your own
Ebisu is about 3.5 hours’ drive from Tokyo (Nihonmatsu IC, then 15 minutes). The no-car route: Shinkansen to Koriyama (~75 min from Tokyo), then a rental car or taxi via Nihonmatsu. Spectators can also take a local train to Nihonmatsu Station and a taxi from there. Book accommodation in Nihonmatsu or Koriyama early — matsuri weekends fill the area.
If you want seat time without importing your life savings, the circuit hosts resident operators that rent prepared drift cars and run passenger laps. Those are separate businesses with their own booking — arrange them weeks ahead, not at the gate.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive at the matsuri without a racing licence?
Yes. The official requirements ask for a regular driving licence. The matsuri is an open festival, not a sanctioned competition — you drive at your own pace on any open course.
How much does it cost to just watch?
¥2,500 for adults and ¥1,200 for children, valid for the whole matsuri weekend (Summer 2026 pricing; Autumn pricing may be adjusted, per the official page). Ride-along insurance is ¥500 if someone offers you a passenger seat.
Which courses are open during the matsuri?
All of them — Higashi, Nishi, School, Kita, Touge, Kuru Kuru Land and the Slide Park. Higashi and Nishi are normally restricted, which is a big part of why the matsuri is special.
I don't have a car in Japan. Can I still take part?
As a spectator, absolutely — many overseas visitors plan their whole trip around a matsuri weekend. If you want seat time, on-site operators at Ebisu rent drift cars and run passenger laps; book those separately well in advance.