How keirin works
A Japanese keirin race commonly has seven or nine riders, depending on the event, on a banked oval track. For most of the race they ride behind a pace bike (先頭誘導員), jostling for position. The pace bike then pulls off, a bell (打鐘) rings with about a lap and a half to go, and the race explodes into a sprint for the line.
| Thing to know | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Lines (ライン) | Riders often form regional groups; the leader takes the wind while those behind draft. A race card shows expected groupings, which can change during the race |
| Leading (逃げ) | The front rider of a line goes early and tries to hold on to the finish |
| Passing on the outside (捲り) | A rider sweeps around the leaders from further back |
| Closing (差し) | A rider comes past a leader near the finish; the best tactic depends on the field and the race |
| The bell | When it rings, watch the whole field; the next thirty seconds decide the race |
Kawasaki Keirin
Kawasaki, Kanagawa · Free entry
The velodrome 400 m track
Kawasaki’s 400-metre track reopened after renovation in 2023. Entry has been free since April 2025, with paid reserved seats if you want a guaranteed view. Food and seating options vary by meeting; check what is open on your date. Kawasaki Daishi temple and Kawasaki Racecourse are nearby if you want to make a day of it.
How to get to Kawasaki Keirin One change
From Anamori-inari, take the Keikyu Airport Line to Keikyu Kamata and change to a Main Line train toward Yokohama for Keikyu Kawasaki. The velodrome is about 15 minutes' walk from there, or from JR Kawasaki Station.
The official access page lists a free shuttle from JR Kawasaki Station East Exit, stop 21. Confirm operation and the last departure for your meeting; walking from Keikyu Kawasaki avoids depending on the bus.
Night, day and midnight racing Check the calendar
Kawasaki schedules both daytime and floodlit evening meetings; first and last race times vary. Kawasaki also holds “midnight” meetings with no spectator admission. A calendar entry alone does not mean you can enter the velodrome.
How to buy a keirin ticket
Betting works like horse and boat racing: a paper mark card and a machine. Information staff can help if you get stuck.
- Pick up a race card and a mark card (マークカード). The race card shows each rider's number, class and expected line.
- Fill in the mark card: the race number, the bet type, the rider or frame numbers, and the amount, in units of 100 yen.
- Put the card and cash into a machine. It prints your ticket (車券). Check it before you walk away.
- Keep your ticket until the result is confirmed. Winning tickets are paid out in cash at the payout machines.
| Bet | You win if... | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Wide ワイド | Your two riders both finish in the top three | Simple rule; payouts vary |
| Quinella 2車複 | Your two riders finish first and second, in either order | Medium |
| Exacta 2車単 | Your two riders finish first and second, in that order | Harder |
| Trio 3連複 | Your three riders fill the top three, in any order | Hard |
| Trifecta 3連単 | Your three riders finish first, second and third, in that order | Exact order required; payouts vary |
Betting sensibly
- You must be 20 or over to buy tickets. Check the venue's rules before bringing children.
- Set a budget before you arrive and bring it as cash. Treat it as the price of the evening, not money you expect back.
- Don't chase losses. Races come around every half hour or so. If you've spent your budget, enjoy the rest as a spectator.
- Online betting isn't for short visits. Online eligibility and payment methods vary by operator; cash at the venue is simpler for a short visit.
- Only bet with official sellers. Legal keirin betting is sold at velodromes and official ticket outlets. Anyone else offering to take your bet isn't one of them.
If betting stops being fun or you find it hard to stop, take a break and talk to someone you trust or a professional support service.
Planning your visit
| If your plan is... | Do this... | Avoid... |
|---|---|---|
| A first look at keirin | Watch a race or two from the rail before betting | Betting before you've seen the bell lap |
| An evening out | A night meeting, then dinner in Kawasaki | A midnight meeting with no spectators |
| The closest view possible | Look for an Area 51 event notice | Leaving it until the day of a big meeting |
| Racing plus sightseeing | Kawasaki Daishi in the morning, keirin in the afternoon | Trying to fit in central Tokyo too |
| A comfortable seat | Check whether reserved seats are offered on your date | Assuming every stand is open; some areas close for works |
| Racing without betting | Stand by the finishing straight for the last lap | Feeling you have to bet to enjoy it |
Other things to know
- Check the calendar. Kawasaki races in meetings of a few days, as day, night or spectator-free midnight races.
- Bring cash. Betting machines take cash, and it helps you stick to a budget.
- Dress for the weather. The stands are partly open, and evenings get cold from late autumn.
- Travel light. Leave luggage at base rather than carrying it into the stands.
Staying near Haneda for Kawasaki Keirin
Stark House Haneda is a three-minute walk from Anamori-inari Station, two stops from Haneda Airport Terminal 3 on the Keikyu Airport Line. Kawasaki is reached with one change at Keikyu Kamata, so an evening at the velodrome fits easily into your first or last night in Japan. The private studios, about 20 m² each, are set up to sleep, cook and wash like at home.
You'll ride a few stops to Kawasaki, and in return you're close to the airport and away from the city crowds.
Official websites
- Kawasaki Keirin — race calendar, access and free buses
- KEIRIN.JP — schedules and results for all velodromes
- Keikyu — Airport Line and Main Line timetables
More Tokyo and Haneda guides
- Tokyo Horse Racing Guide
- Boat Race Heiwajima Guide
- Tokyo, Kawasaki and Yokohama Eating Guide
- Places to Visit from Haneda Airport
Hear the bell, watch the sprint
Check the calendar, bring a set amount of cash, and watch the lines form. The bell lap and sprint are worth watching even without a wager.
Race dates, meeting types, shuttle-bus times and seating change. Confirm with Kawasaki Keirin and the rail operators shortly before you go. The venue is named for information only; this guide is not affiliated with it. Betting is for adults aged 20 and over.