Best way to get there

For most visitors, driving is the easiest way to reach Bihoku Highland Circuit. The track is surrounded by countryside and forest, so it is much less convenient by public transport than a circuit near a major city.

If you are visiting from elsewhere in Japan, travelling by train to the Okayama or Niimi area and hiring a car for the final part of your trip is usually the simplest option.

Tip: Buy food, drinks and fuel before the final drive. The circuit specifically warns that there are no supermarkets or convenience stores nearby.

Driving & parking

• Hokubo IC: leave the Chugoku Expressway at Hokubo and allow around 15 minutes for the remaining drive.
• Final approach: the circuit is several kilometres into the hills, so follow navigation carefully on the smaller local roads.
• Parking: the circuit has dedicated parking and paddock areas for its A and B courses.
• Event days: follow signs and organiser instructions because different meetings may use different areas of the complex.
• Before arriving: refuel and pick up anything you need while you are still near a town.

Train & public transport

There is no railway station at the circuit. Niimi Station is the main rail hub for the surrounding area and is served by several JR lines.

• Niimi Station: use this as your main public transport base if arriving by rail.
• Final journey: continue by taxi, local bus or a pre-arranged transfer.
• Local buses: services operate in the Niimi area, but they are much less frequent than public transport in major Japanese cities.
• Plan both directions: check your return connection before travelling so you are not left without transport after the event.

For first-time international visitors, a rental car is usually much easier than trying to coordinate rural train and bus connections.

Taxi & private transfers

• From Niimi: a taxi or pre-arranged car is a practical option if you arrive by train.
• Show the full address: use 3190 Toyonagasabushi, Niimi, Okayama to avoid confusion with other places using the Bihoku name.
• Return journey: arrange your pickup before the event ends rather than expecting taxis to be waiting at the circuit.
• For groups: sharing a rental car can be more convenient and economical than making multiple taxi journeys.

Food & supplies

Bihoku Highland Circuit is particularly remote, so do not expect to find a convenience store immediately outside the entrance.

• Before arriving: buy drinks, snacks and anything else you need in one of the towns along your route.
• Long event days: bring enough water and food for the time you expect to spend at the circuit.
• Fuel: topping up before heading into the hills is a good idea, especially if you are driving at the circuit as well.

Event-day tips

• Check which course: Bihoku has separate A and B courses, so confirm where your event is taking place.
• Leave early: the final rural roads are slower than expressway driving and may be unfamiliar on your first visit.
• Bring essentials: food and shopping options immediately around the circuit are very limited.
• Check the weather: the circuit is in a hilly inland area, so prepare for rain, heat or colder conditions depending on the season.
• Plan the journey home: this is especially important if you are not driving yourself.

Accessibility

If you require accessible parking, step-free spectator access or assistance at Bihoku Highland Circuit, contact the circuit or event organiser before travelling. Access can vary depending on whether the A Course, B Course or other areas of the venue are being used.

Family-friendly highlights nearby

• Maki Cave: Explore a beautifully illuminated 450 m limestone cave with underground pools and unusual rock formations. The temperature stays around 15°C, making it especially refreshing during summer.
• Ikura Cave: For a bigger underground adventure, follow a 1.2 km route through one of Okayama’s major limestone caves. Expect stairs, waterfalls and plenty of unusual formations along the way.
• Rashomon: This enormous natural limestone arch rises around 40 m from the forest and was created when part of an underground cave collapsed. It is an easy way to see Niimi’s unusual geology above ground.

Culture & rainy-day stops

• Niimi Museum of Art: A straightforward indoor stop with Japanese painting, regional artworks and changing exhibitions. The collection contains more than 1,100 works.
• Ifurai Museum: Discover contemporary art inspired by Japan’s ancient Jomon culture. The museum displays more than 200 works and also offers pottery experiences on selected dates.
• Fukiya Furusato Village: Walk through a remarkably preserved mountain settlement famous for red-brown roofs and bengara pigment. Historic homes, an old school and a former copper mine tell the story of its prosperous past.

Eat & drink like a local

• Chiya beef: Niimi’s best-known speciality is this local Japanese black beef. Look for yakiniku, steak, beef bowls and other dishes in restaurants around the city.
• Pione grapes: Large, sweet Pione grapes are another local favourite, particularly when the Niimi harvest reaches its peak in autumn.
• Niimi caviar: Something less expected from a mountain city is locally produced caviar. Sturgeon are raised using the clean waters of the Takahashi River system.

Get outdoors around Niimi

• Ikura Gorge: The Takahashi River cuts through limestone cliffs reaching around 240 m high, creating impressive scenery around the entrance to Ikura Cave. Autumn colours make the gorge particularly attractive.
• Koi-ga-kubo Wetland: Follow a roughly 2.4 km walking route through a protected wetland filled with seasonal plants. The visitor season is mainly from spring through autumn.
• Shiroyama Park: A simple option close to central Niimi, with views over the city and around 300 cherry trees providing a popular display in spring.

Easy trips if you’re extending your stay

• Fukiya Furusato Village: Give yourself half a day to explore its preserved streets, historic buildings and old mining attractions rather than treating it as a quick photo stop.
• Taishakukyo Gorge: Cross into neighbouring Hiroshima Prefecture for limestone scenery, forest walks and the beautiful Shinryu Lake area.
• Bihoku Hillside Park: This large national park near Shobara is designed for families, with open spaces, seasonal flowers and recreation areas. It is unrelated to the circuit despite sharing the Bihoku name.

Good to know on event weekends

• Check which course is operating: Bihoku has separate A and B courses, and private bookings can affect what is available to drivers or spectators.
• Spectating is inexpensive: The current general admission charge for visitors who are not driving is 500 yen, while junior-high-school-age children and younger enter free.
• Bring supplies: The circuit specifically warns that there are no supermarkets or convenience stores nearby, so buy drinks, food and anything else you need before heading into the hills.
• Prepare for seasonal weather: The circuit’s winter operating hours differ from the warmer months, and the inland highland location can become cold. Bring an extra layer outside summer.