The 2026 FORUM8 Rally Japan is scheduled to take place from Thursday, May 28 to Sunday, May 31, 2026. In a significant change from its previous November slot, the event serves as Round 7 of the 14 round 2026 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC).
Repositioning the rally to May breaks up a long block of gravel events, limiting the impact of road sweeping for early championship leaders.
Based in the Aichi and Gifu prefectures, with the central hub and service park located at Toyota Stadium in Toyota City, the 2026 edition introduces several exciting format changes, including moving the iconic opening ceremony right into Nagoya City surrounding Nagoya Castle on Thursday afternoon. The event has a total of 302.82km competitive.
Thursday, May 28: Shakedown begins at Kuragaike Park followed by the opening ceremony in Nagoya.
Friday, May 29: Features the brand-new, highly technical Asuke test in Toyota City alongside the famous, concrete-lined Isegami’s Tunnel stage.
Saturday, May 30: The longest day of the rally (121km) ventures into Gifu prefecture. It concludes back at Toyota City with the debut of the spectator-focused Fujioka Super Special Stage.
Sunday, May 31: Concludes with the Nukata stage, a reversed Kuragaike Park run, and the final Wolf Power Stage at Lake Mikawako.
Japan’s asphalt stages are narrow, twisty, and technical. Roads wind through mountains with constant corners, changing grip, and little margin for error.
Barriers, drop-offs, and trees line the roads – one mistake usually ends your rally.
Punctures are common from sharp cuts
It’s a precision rally where a clean run beats outright pace.
Rally Japan returned to the WRC in 2022 as a pure asphalt event after running on gravel from 2004-2010. Fan turnout is huge with sold-out stages and national TV coverage.
