After its WRC debut in 2004, Rally Japan has quickly become a popular fixture on the calendar. The rally is based on Hokkaido, the northernmost island of the Japanese chain and from 2004 to 2007 used the twisty, narrow and soft gravel stages of the Tokachi region, close to the city of Obihiro.

Japan and rallying are almost intrinsically linked, with Japanese manufacturers such as Toyota, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Mazda, Nissan and, perhaps most notably, Subaru all having tasted success in the sport. The Japanese rally fans, as with most sports, are loyal, knowledgeable and extremely enthusiastic.

  New for 2008

A brand new venue. The event is being moved to the region close to Sapporo, Hokkaido's main city. The new rally is expected to feature a similar character to that of New Zealand, with sweeping stages and narrow forest roads.