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Office chair race in Kyotanabe, Japan, on March 29, 2026.

Video. Office chair Grand Prix rolls through Japanese streets

Updated:

The ISU-1 Grand Prix in Japan is a two-hour office chair race where teams rotate riders, entertain crowds and compete for a grand prize of 90 kilos of rice.

Dozens of racers took to the streets of Japan this weekend for the ISU-1 Grand Prix, a two-hour endurance event held entirely on office chairs.

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Teams of three rotate throughout the race, each trying to complete as many laps as possible before time runs out. Inspired by Le Mans but far less serious, the competition blends speed, balance, and a fair amount of laughter.

Founded in 2010, the ISU-1 series now travels across Japan, drawing crowds who cheer on teams as they slide through corners on unmodified, store-bought chairs.

The winners don’t take home a trophy, but 90 kilos of rice, a prize perfectly in keeping with the spirit of the race.

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