Okayama

Okayama City is the "circuit city." Okayama has Okayama International Circuit. Located in Mimasaka City (northern Okayama Prefecture). About 70km from central Okayama. 3.703km length. Hosted F1 Pacific Grand Prix in 1994 and 1995. Michael Schumacher won both times. For Okayama residents, "F1" is pride. But Okayama International Circuit isn't in Okayama City. Mimasaka City is a small town with about 25,000 population. "Nearest big cities are at least 100 miles away." For Okayama residents, the "circuit" is far. Okayama City's population is about 720,000 (2023). Capital of Okayama Prefecture. One of Chugoku region's central cities. But Okayama residents don't go to the "circuit." Why? Too far. About 1.5 hours by car from central Okayama. Can't get there by public transport. For Okayama residents, "motorsport" is a special event. Not daily life. Okayama is called the "Land of Sunshine." One of Japan's lowest annual rainfall regions. For Okayama residents, "sunny" is normal. But for motorsport, sunshine is important. Can't race in rain. Okayama International Circuit takes advantage of Okayama's "sunshine." But Okayama residents don't know this. For Okayama residents, Okayama International Circuit is "a place we know by name but have never visited." Proud F1 came. But they won't go themselves. The distance between Okayama residents and motorsport is far, both physically and psychologically.