The Japan Rally is a World Rally Championship round held in Japan. Event is known for its challenging asphalt roads, which are laid out in the mountainous terrain of Aichi and Gifu prefectures. The round has been a regular part of the WRC calendar, with breaks, since 2004.
Rally Japan 2026 (WRC)
The 2026 Rally Japan took place as part of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar from 28 to 31 May 2026. The event was based in the Toyota region (Aichi Prefecture), while the special stages were held on mountain asphalt roads across Aichi and Gifu prefectures.
The winner of Rally Japan 2026 was Elfyn Evans (Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT), who delivered a strong and controlled performance, finishing ahead of his closest rivals in a highly competitive asphalt event.
The rally served as the seventh round of the season and once again confirmed its status as one of the most demanding and technical asphalt rallies in the championship.
Participants
The event featured leading WRC teams:
Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT:
Kalle Rovanperä, Elfyn Evans, Takamoto Katsuta, Sami Pajari.
Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT:
Thierry Neuville, Ott Tänak, Adrien Fourmaux.
Drivers from M-Sport Ford WRT also participated.
Rally Japan is known for its narrow mountain roads, high-speed asphalt sections, and changeable weather conditions, making it one of the most challenging rounds of the season.
History of the Event
The first Rally Japan was held in 1973 under the name “Rally Hokkaido.” It was originally part of the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship.
In 2004, the event was added to the World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar.
Since then, the rally has changed both format and base location several times, but since the early 2020s it has been firmly established on the asphalt roads of central Japan.
Interesting Facts
Rally Japan is considered one of the most difficult asphalt events in the WRC. In 2019, the rally was cancelled due to the effects of a natural disaster. The event is also known for its extremely close competition, where small mistakes often decide the outcome.
Recent Winners
| Year | Winner | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Elfyn Evans (Great Britain) | Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT |
| 2025 | Sébastien Ogier (France) | Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT |
| 2024 | Elfyn Evans (Great Britain) | Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT |
2027 Rally Japan
At the moment there is no detailed information about the dates and stages of the next World Rally Championship.
Keep an eye on the dates of WRC rounds and other events in our Sporting Events Calendar.
