Aichi Sky Expo
Location
Tokoname, Aichi, Japan
Current Local Time
Track Info
Aichi Sky Expo - Tokoname, Japan
Temporary drift venue beside Chubu Centrair International Airport - known for high-speed entries, close tandem battles and a flexible outdoor course
When was the venue built?
Aichi Sky Expo opened in 2019 on the artificial island shared with Chubu Centrair International Airport. Its main purpose is to host exhibitions, concerts, conferences and large public events.
The complex contains six large exhibition halls and an outdoor multipurpose area. This open paved space can be temporarily converted into a motorsport course without changing the permanent buildings.
When did racing begin?
The D1 Grand Prix first competed at Aichi Sky Expo on 9 and 10 May 2026. The Aichi Drift weekend formed the opening two rounds of the Japanese professional drifting championship.
Organisers installed concrete barriers, safety fencing, grandstands and marked judging zones to create a complete competition venue on the outdoor surface.
What's the course like?
- Wide and fast: The large outdoor area allows cars to build more speed than on many compact temporary drift courses.
- Subtle surface changes: The asphalt appears flat, but drainage channels and gentle undulations can affect the car's grip and balance.
- Close barriers: Drivers are encouraged to place the car near marked walls and zones, leaving little room for mistakes.
- Changing conditions: As tyres leave rubber on the course, grip can increase or become uneven during the event.
How does drift competition work?
- Solo runs: One car completes the course and receives a score for its line, angle, speed and direction changes.
- Tandem battles: Two cars run together. The following driver tries to remain close while copying the leader's route.
- Clipping zones: These marked areas show where the front or rear of the car should pass during the drift.
- No lap record: The course is temporary and performances are judged, so there is no permanent fastest-lap benchmark.
What's the main event?
Aichi Drift is the venue's principal professional motorsport meeting. It brings highly modified rear-wheel-drive cars and leading Japanese drivers to a course created specially for the weekend.
The programme normally includes practice, individual qualifying runs and head-to-head elimination battles. Teams also work on the cars in a nearby paddock between sessions.
Why go?
Aichi Sky Expo provides professional drifting in a modern and accessible setting. The temporary layout keeps spectators close to the cars, making their speed, tyre smoke and rapid direction changes easy to appreciate.
It is also unusually convenient for international visitors because the venue is directly connected to one of Japan's major airports.
Where's the best place to watch?
- High central grandstand seats: Best for seeing the complete judged course and understanding each driver's chosen line.
- Near the entry zone: Good for watching cars approach at high speed and begin their first slide.
- Transition section: Watch drivers rapidly move the car from one direction to the other while maintaining control.
- Final clipping zone: Best for close wall runs, heavy tyre smoke and tandem cars fighting for position.
- Paddock area: Useful for viewing the cars and repair work when public access is included with the event.
Aichi Sky Expo is beside Chubu Centrair International Airport and approximately five minutes on foot from the airport station and terminal area. It has no permanent racing course, so layouts, entrances, seating and paddock access can change for each event.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Aichi Sky Expo (Japan)
Aichi Sky Expo is in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, directly beside Chubu Centrair International Airport. It is extremely easy to reach without a car: trains from central Nagoya arrive at the airport station, followed by a short five-minute walk to the venue.
Getting there by train
For most visitors, the train is the easiest way to reach Aichi Sky Expo. The venue and airport share the same transport hub, so there is no need for a taxi or shuttle after arriving.
- Go to Meitetsu Nagoya Station in central Nagoya.
- Take a Meitetsu train towards Chubu Centrair International Airport.
- For the fastest journey, use the μ-SKY Limited Express. It can reach the airport in approximately 28 minutes and requires a reserved-seat ticket in addition to the normal fare.
- Get off at Central Japan International Airport Station.
- Follow signs towards Terminal 2 and Aichi Sky Expo. The walk takes around five minutes.
Because the venue is directly connected to the airport area by pedestrian walkways, this is one of the easiest Japanese motorsport venues to visit without a car.
Flying in
Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) is immediately beside Aichi Sky Expo, making flying unusually convenient.
- From the terminal: follow signs towards the Access Plaza and Terminal 2.
- Walking time: approximately five minutes from the airport area to the exhibition centre.
- No transfer required: you normally do not need a taxi, bus or rental car simply to reach the venue.
If you are flying specifically for a motorsport event, staying at an airport hotel can make the entire weekend possible without hiring a car.
Driving & parking
Driving is straightforward, although visitors coming from central Nagoya may find the train easier during a major event.
- From Nagoya: use the Chita Peninsula Road and follow signs towards Centrair.
- At Handa-Chuo JCT: continue towards Chubu Centrair International Airport.
- Leave at Centrair East IC: Aichi Sky Expo is approximately two minutes from the interchange.
- Parking: the venue has 3,447 standard car spaces, including accessible spaces.
- Motorcycles: dedicated motorcycle parking is also available.
Current general visitor information lists standard car parking at 300 yen per hour, but motorsport events may publish their own traffic or parking arrangements.
Understanding the venue
Aichi Sky Expo is not a traditional race circuit. It is one of Japan's largest exhibition centres, with indoor halls and a large outdoor multipurpose area that can be converted for motorsport.
- Temporary course: organisers create a dedicated layout rather than using a permanent race track.
- D1 Grand Prix: the venue hosted the opening rounds of the 2026 championship on a special temporary course.
- Different entrances: spectator seating, exhibition halls, paddock areas and the temporary course can change between events.
- Check the event map: use the organiser's layout rather than relying only on the normal Aichi Sky Expo floor plan.
For motorsport events, knowing your ticket area and entrance before arriving will make navigating the large complex much easier.
Race-day tips
- Take the train from Nagoya: it avoids event traffic and drops you only a short walk from the entrance.
- Arrive early: allow time for security checks and finding the correct temporary spectator entrance.
- Follow airport signs first: from the railway station, head towards Terminal 2 before following signs for Aichi Sky Expo.
- Bring hearing protection: especially for drift events and younger spectators.
- Prepare for the weather: motorsport courses can use outdoor areas with limited shade or shelter.
- Save the address: 5-10-1 Centrair, Tokoname, Aichi 479-0881, Japan.
For a first visit, the simplest plan is to stay in Nagoya and take the Meitetsu train to the airport. If you are flying into Centrair, Aichi Sky Expo is close enough to walk to directly from the terminal.
Train services, parking charges, spectator entrances and temporary course layouts can change for individual events. Check the official Aichi Sky Expo page and your motorsport event information before travelling.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around Aichi Sky Expo (Tokoname, Japan)
Aichi Sky Expo is an international exhibition centre rather than a permanent racetrack, but its huge event spaces can be transformed for motorsport. In 2026 it hosted the opening rounds of D1 Grand Prix on a temporary drift course - with Chubu Centrair International Airport next door and pottery, beaches and Nagoya attractions within easy reach.
Family-friendly highlights nearby
- FLIGHT OF DREAMS: An indoor aviation attraction at Centrair built around the first Boeing 787. Visitors can get close to the aircraft, learn how planes work and use a children's play area.
- Chubu Centrair International Airport: Even without a flight, the terminals have restaurants, shops and aircraft-viewing areas - useful for filling a few hours around an event.
- Tokoname Rinku Beach: A sandy waterfront close to the airport island that's good for a walk, sunset or slower morning away from the crowds.
Culture & rainy-day winners
- INAX MUSEUMS: A hands-on museum complex exploring clay, tiles, kilns and Tokoname's long pottery tradition. Workshops make it approachable even if you know nothing about ceramics.
- FLIGHT OF DREAMS: One of the easiest wet-weather choices because most of the attraction is indoors and it is right beside the airport.
- Tokoname pottery shops: The town is one of Japan's historic pottery centres, so small galleries and shops are good places to find locally made cups, teapots and souvenirs.
Eat & drink around the venue
- Centrair: The airport has a surprisingly large choice of Japanese restaurants and cafés, making it the simplest option before or after an event.
- Tokoname: Head into town for quieter local restaurants, cafés and seafood from the Chita Peninsula.
- Try Nagoya-meshi: Regional favourites include miso katsu, tebasaki chicken wings and kishimen flat noodles.
Get outdoors around Tokoname
- Tokoname Pottery Footpath: The shorter 1.6 km route winds past old kilns, brick chimneys, pottery workshops and Dokanzaka, a slope lined with recycled ceramic pipes.
- Tokoname Rinku Beach: An easy waterfront stop with views toward the airport and aircraft arriving or departing across the bay.
Japanese summers are hot and humid, so carry water and avoid longer walks during the hottest part of the afternoon.
Easy day trips if you're extending your stay
- Nagoya: Trains from Centrair make Japan's fourth-largest urban area an easy extension for shopping, museums and regional food.
- Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology: Follow Toyota's development from textile machinery to automobile manufacturing through working machinery and vehicle displays.
- SCMAGLEV and Railway Park: A strong choice for engineering fans, with real steam locomotives, conventional trains, Shinkansen and maglev technology on display.
Good to know during motorsport events
- There is no permanent racetrack: Motorsport organisers create temporary layouts, so the course, seating and viewing areas can change for every event.
- Public transport is excellent: Take the Meitetsu train to Central Japan International Airport Station and follow signs toward Terminal 2 and Aichi Sky Expo.
- Check your entrance: Large events may use specific halls or gates. D1 Grand Prix, for example, directed spectators through Hall F in 2026.
- Staying near Centrair is convenient: Airport-area hotels are useful for early starts, while Tokoname or Nagoya give you more sightseeing and restaurant options.
- Bring hearing protection: Temporary drift courses can put spectators close to high-powered cars, making proper ear protection especially important for children.
Motorsport dates, temporary layouts, entrances, attraction opening hours and transport arrangements can change - check current information before travelling.