Fuji Speedway began life with the intention of staging oval NASCAR-style races in Japan. However, when money ran out, the circuit was completed as a road course instead. With only the first banking completed, the circuit opened in late 1965.

The fast, banked first turn quickly became recognised as dangerous, although it wasn’t until 1974 that the track, notorious for unpredictable weather in the foothills of Mount Fuji, was modified to omit it and a new Turn 1 was built, connecting to the former third turn.

In 1976, Formula One visited the circuit for the first time, but left after the following year.

Since then, Fuji has remained popular for national and international racing, including the domestic touring car scene in the 1980s and 1990s, including the inaugural WTCC in 1987.

The circuit’s most significant change came from 2003 to 2005, when the circuit was modified again to attract Formula One, which returned in 2007 and 2008.

More recently, in 2019 the DTM and Super GT held a one-off combined race at the circuit, known as the Super GT x DTM Dream Race.