Why Beginners Should Learn to Drift in the Wet First

Drifting has grown from underground mountain roads in Japan to a global motorsport. Today, thousands of visitors from around the world travel to Fukushima’s Ebisu Circuit to experience drifting in its homeland. But when most beginners think about learning, they picture smoke-filled corners, high speeds, and aggressive driving. The reality is that the best way to start is far more measured: the wet track.

At Drift Sho, every new driver begins to learn to drift in the wet at Kurukuru Land at Ebisu Circuit. It is where you learn car control without pressure, where you can make mistakes without major consequences, and where your budget stretches further. Far from being a “soft option,” the wet track is the foundation that prepares you for Ebisu’s famous dry circuits.

Why it’s better to learn to drift in the Wet for Beginners

1. Slower speeds mean safer practice

On dry tarmac, you need to speed to break traction when sliding and more revs when you want the tyres to spin from a standing start.

For an inexperienced driver, that creates a very small margin for error. A spin or a missed correction can end in heavy damage.

On the wet surface, grip is reduced, which means cars slide at much lower speeds. You feel the back step out sooner and have more time to react. This allows you to practice the same skills, such as counter-steering, throttle modulation, and weight transfer, in a safer environment where mistakes don’t carry the same risks.

2. You develop real technique, not bad habits

A common mistake when learning on dry ground is to rely on brute force.

More. More. More.

More throttle, more revs, more smoke. While it looks exciting, it doesn’t teach you control, and it can kill a car quickly if you don’t know what you’re doing.

On a wet track, more doesn’t mean better.

You have to be precise. Smooth steering, small throttle adjustments, and patience are rewarded. These habits translate directly when you progress to dry circuits, giving you better fundamentals than someone who relies on brute force to drift their way around a circuit.

3. Tyres last longer and costs are lower

Drifting is tough on tyres, and replacing them takes time and can get expensive (even though we include tyres in our packages). On a dry circuit, you can destroy a set in a handful of laps. On the wet track, tyre wear is minimal. You can spend a full day practicing without chewing through rubber.

It’s not just tyres either. Lower grip means less stress on the drivetrain and suspension. For learners, this makes drifting more affordable and less intimidating.

Instead of worrying about budgets or repairs and taking time to repair and replace things, you can focus on building skills, i.e. more time in the driver’s seat, which equals more bang for your buck.

4. Confidence before the big circuits

Ebisu is world famous for its variety of tracks, from Minami, the D1GP competition layout, to the rolling corners of Higashi. They are fast and unforgiving, especially if you’re a newbie.

Throwing a complete beginner into those environments rarely ends well and makes it unsafe for other drivers.

The wet track gives you space to build confidence. You start with donuts and figure-8s, then move to handbrake slides at controlled speeds. By the time you step onto the larger dry tracks, you are no longer thinking about the basics. You already know how to feel the car and trust your reactions.

5. A unique part of Japanese drift culture

Japan is one of the only countries where circuits invest in facilities purely for drifting. Ebisu has seven individual tracks, skid pads, and practice areas, and the wet track is central to the experience.

It reflects the culture around drifting in Japan: accessible, supportive, and progressive. Beginners are welcomed, not looked down upon. Locals and international visitors share advice, tools, and enthusiasm. For many, their first laps on the wet track are the moment they feel part of that community.

What to Expect When you learn to drift in the wet

A typical one-day session with Drift Sho includes:

• Car orientation: Get familiar with the RWD Skyline you’ll be driving, safety gear, and controls.
  
• Warm-up runs: Simple laps to feel grip levels and braking on the wet surface.
  
• Basic drills: Donuts, figure-8s, and controlled spins to build steering and throttle balance.
  
• Short track sessions: Linking multiple corners together with instructor feedback.
  
• In-car coaching: Our instructors ride with you, providing real-time corrections with English translation.
  
• Progression: Once confident, some drivers are moved to dry track sections to test their new skills.

Everything is provided: the car, tyres, fuel, helmet, and safety equipment. All you need is the willingness to learn.

Travelling to Fukushima: Easy Shuttle, Zero Japanese Needed

1. Tokyo Station → Fukushima Station: 1h 40m on the Tōhoku Shinkansen (Yamabiko service).
   
2. Sendai Station → Fukushima Station: 25m on the same line.
   
3. Drift SHO Shuttle: Meet staff at the East or West Exit—no taxi guesswork, no confusing bus timetables. The only thing is that you have to put up with us for an hour there and back! 

The course fee includes morning pick-up and evening return.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you learn how to drift in Japan?

Yes. Japan is one of the best places to learn drifting thanks to purpose-built facilities like Ebisu Circuit in Fukushima. At Drift Sho, we provide cars, instructors, and English translation so international visitors can train without needing their own vehicle.

Is drifting illegal in Japan?

Street drifting is illegal in Japan. Circuit drifting at places like Ebisu is completely legal and strongly encouraged as the safe way to enjoy the sport.

How much do drifting lessons cost?

At Drift Sho, a one-day package begins at 250,000 yen. The price includes the drift car, tyres, fuel, safety gear, and professional instruction. Multi-day options are available for those who want to progress further.

Wanna Learn How to Drift in Japan?

Learn the fundamentals of drifting in one day and book our 1-day package at the home of drifting in Japan and learn from the best.

Bring an open mind; leave with sideways bragging rights at Japan’s drifting Mecca, Ebisu Circuit.