Drifting at Ebisu Circuit
Ebisu Circuit in Fukushima is one of the most well-known names in drifting. The complex sits in the mountains near Nihonmatsu and has been a destination for drivers from Japan and around the world for many years. A lot of people know Ebisu from videos, competitions, and events, but the real appeal is the atmosphere. It’s a place built around drifting where people come to drive, learn, and enjoy the culture.
One important thing to understand when planning a trip is that Ebisu isn’t just one track. It’s a large complex made up of several different courses, and what’s available for drifting can change depending on the day and the event schedule.
Many people still associate Ebisu with Minami Course, but Minami is currently not open for drifting, so visitors should not plan their trip around driving that layout. Another course people often ask about is Higashi (East Course). Higashi is mainly used for grip style driving and races during most of the year, and it is typically only opened for drifting during special events like Drift Matsuri.
Outside of those layouts, drifting at Ebisu usually takes place across several other courses depending on the event or practice day. These can include areas like North Course, School Course, and the Touge course, along with other parts of the complex when events are running. Because the track offers different layouts and environments, drivers of different experience levels can usually find a place to drive.
This variety is one of the reasons Ebisu attracts so many drivers. Some people come for major events, while others visit during normal track days to practice and experience drifting in Japan. The environment is very different from a typical circuit, it’s relaxed, drift focused, and full of drivers who are there for the same reason.
For visitors coming from overseas, the biggest challenge is usually the logistics. Bringing a drift car to Japan is expensive, and buying and storing one locally can be difficult if you’re only visiting for a short time. Because of that, many drivers choose to rent a drift car already prepared for the track.
That’s where Japan Drift Rentals comes in. We provide track ready drift cars and local support so drivers visiting Japan can get on track without the hassle of owning and maintaining a car here.
Course availability and what’s driftable on any given day depends on Ebisu’s schedule and the specific event taking place. If you're planning a trip and want to drift at Ebisu, feel free to reach out with your dates and we can help you figure out what the track schedule looks like and how to get you driving.