Tokyo-area racecourses at a glance
| Racecourse | Type | When | From Anamori-inari |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oi (Tokyo City Keiba) 大井競馬場 | Local racing, dirt | Selected meeting days, often evenings | Keikyu to Tenkubashi, then Tokyo Monorail |
| Kawasaki 川崎競馬場 | Local racing, dirt | Selected meeting days, often evenings | Keikyu via Kamata, then Daishi Line |
| Tokyo Racecourse 東京競馬場 | JRA national racing, turf and dirt | Selected JRA weekends | Via Kawasaki and the JR Nambu Line |
| Nakayama 中山競馬場 | JRA national racing | Selected JRA weekends | Across Tokyo to Funabashi, Chiba |
Two kinds of racing: JRA and local
The JRA runs national racing; local authorities organise 地方競馬 (ちほうけいば). Tokyo Racecourse and Nakayama host JRA meetings, while Oi and Kawasaki host local racing on dirt. The calendars, entry systems and ticket sites are separate. A weekend does not automatically mean live racing at Tokyo Racecourse, and a weekday does not guarantee racing at Oi.
Oi Racecourse: Tokyo City Keiba
Shinagawa, Tokyo · The closest to Haneda
Night racing by the bay Admission 100 yen
Oi, branded Tokyo City Keiba (TCK), pioneered floodlit racing in Japan with its Twinkle Races. On an evening meeting, the lights, paddock and finish line make a good visit even without a bet. Standard admission is ¥100. Its major dates include the Tokyo Derby and the Japan Dirt Classic on 7 October 2026. The Tokyo Daishoten is scheduled for 29 December 2026. Big days may feel very different from an ordinary evening.
How to get to Oi One change
Ride the Keikyu Airport Line one stop toward the airport to Tenkubashi and change to the Tokyo Monorail toward Hamamatsucho. Get off at Oi Keibajo-mae, a two-minute walk from the racecourse's north gate. Not every monorail train stops at Oi Keibajo-mae, so check the train type before you board.
Kawasaki Racecourse
Kawasaki, Kanagawa · Night racing and good food nearby
Sparkling Nighter (スパーキングナイター) Tight, fast track
Kawasaki's evening meetings are called Sparkling Nighter. Its compact dirt circuit feels more intimate than Tokyo Racecourse; watch from the rail before moving into the stands. The Kawasaki Kinen is a major race; in 2026 it was held on 8 April, so check the year’s programme rather than assuming a January date. Return toward Kawasaki Station for dinner; the racecourse itself is about 12 minutes on foot from Keikyu Kawasaki.
How to get to Kawasaki Racecourse Two changes
Take the Keikyu Airport Line to Keikyu Kamata and change to a Main Line train for Keikyu Kawasaki. From there, either ride one stop on the Keikyu Daishi Line to Minatocho, three minutes' walk from the racecourse, or walk about 12 minutes from Keikyu Kawasaki. The racecourse access page says the free shuttle bus is not operating.
JRA racing: Tokyo Racecourse and Nakayama
Japan's biggest races
Tokyo Racecourse (東京競馬場) Fuchu, western Tokyo
Home to the Japanese Derby in late May or early June and the Japan Cup in late November, Tokyo Racecourse is enormous, modern and a spectacle on a big race day. For normal 2026 meetings, JRA lists ¥200 standard admission and half-price advance online admission at Tokyo and Nakayama; GⅠ days and special dates can differ. Children under 15 enter free.
The simplest route from Haneda is Keikyu to Keikyu Kawasaki, a walk to JR Kawasaki Station, then the JR Nambu Line to Fuchuhommachi, beside the racecourse. The Keio Line to Fuchukeiba-seimonmae is the other main route.
Nakayama Racecourse (中山競馬場) Funabashi, Chiba
Nakayama, on the Chiba side of Tokyo, is best known for the Arima Kinen just before New Year, the race many Japanese people bet on even if they never watch another. It is a much longer journey from Haneda than Oi or Kawasaki. Check whether racing is actually taking place at Nakayama on your date; JRA rotates meetings among tracks.
How to place a bet
For a simple on-course cash bet, use a paper mark card and a betting machine. Find the correct race and horse number on the official racecard first. If the machine rejects your card, ask at the information counter.
- Pick up a mark card (マークカード) from the stands near the betting machines. Card layouts differ; use the card that matches the bet you want.
- Fill it in with the pencil provided: the racecourse, the race number, the bet type, the horse number or numbers, and the amount, in units of 100 yen.
- Feed the card and cash into a machine. It prints your ticket. Check it before you walk away.
- Keep your ticket until the result is confirmed. If you win, put the ticket into a payout machine and it pays out in cash.
| Bet | You win if... | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Win 単勝 | Your horse finishes first | Easy |
| Place 複勝 | Your horse places; the paying positions depend on field size | Easiest; small payouts |
| Quinella 馬連 | Your two horses finish first and second, in either order | Medium |
| Wide ワイド | Both horses finish in paying top positions; small-field rules differ | Medium; a good first pair bet |
| Exacta 馬単 | Your two horses finish first and second, in that order | Harder |
| Trio 三連複 | Your three horses fill the top three, in any order | More combinations; payouts vary |
| Trifecta 三連単 | Your three horses finish first, second and third, in that order | Exact order required; payouts vary |
Betting sensibly
- You must be 20 or over to bet. Children may watch with adults. At Oi, visitors under 20 cannot enter unaccompanied by someone aged 20 or over.
- Set a budget before you arrive and bring it as cash. Treat it as the price of the evening, like a concert ticket, not as money you expect back.
- Don't chase losses. A previous result does not improve the odds of the next wager. If you've spent your budget, enjoy the last races as a spectator.
- Check eligibility before relying on online betting. Account eligibility and payment requirements vary by operator. A cash bet at the course is simpler for a short visit.
- Only bet with official sellers. Legal betting in Japan is run by the JRA and local racing authorities. 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.
Which racecourse is right for you?
| If you want... | Go to... | Avoid... |
|---|---|---|
| An easy first evening at the races | Oi on a Twinkle Race night | Going on a day with no racing scheduled |
| Racing plus a good dinner | Kawasaki, then yakiniku nearby | Missing the last trains after a late meal |
| Japan's biggest race day | The Japan Cup at Tokyo Racecourse | Turning up without an online ticket |
| A New Year's tradition | The Arima Kinen at Nakayama or the Tokyo Daishoten at Oi | Assuming seats are still available in December |
| Racing on your last night before a flight | Oi or Kawasaki, if a live meeting is scheduled | A weekend trip across the city to Fuchu |
| To watch without betting | Any course hosting live racing; a bet is optional | Feeling you have to bet to enjoy it |
Admission, cash and other things to know
- Bring cash. Betting machines at the track take cash, and it helps you stick to a budget.
- Check the race calendar. JRA races mostly on weekends; Oi and Kawasaki race in blocks of days. First-race and last-race times change with the season.
- Book the announced advance-only dates early. JRA booking requires account registration, and sale rules vary by meeting.
- Dress for the weather. Evening racing can be cold from late autumn, and the stands are open to the wind.
- Travel light. Leave luggage at base; lockers at racecourses and stations fill up on big days.
Staying near Haneda for the races
Stark House Haneda is a three-minute walk from Anamori-inari Station, two stops from Haneda Airport Terminal 3 on the Keikyu Airport Line. Oi Racecourse is one stop and a monorail ride away, and Kawasaki is reached with a change at Keikyu Kamata, so an evening at the races fits easily into your first or last night in Tokyo. The private studios, about 20 m² each, are set up to sleep, cook and wash like at home.
For the big JRA days at Tokyo Racecourse or Nakayama you'll ride across the city, and in return you're close to the airport for your flight. If your trip is built around several weekends in Fuchu, somewhere in western Tokyo will be simpler.
Official websites
- Tokyo City Keiba (Oi Racecourse) — race calendar, times and access
- Kawasaki Keiba — race days and access
- JRA — Tokyo and Nakayama race schedules
- JRA reserved seats and admission booking — online tickets for big race days
- Keikyu — Airport Line routes and timetables
More Tokyo and Haneda guides
- Places to Visit from Haneda Airport
- Tokyo, Kawasaki and Yokohama Eating Guide
- Tokyo Amusement Park Guide
- Osaka Baseball Guide
Enjoy the race, keep the budget
Check the calendar, bring a set amount of cash, and let the horses do the rest. The paddock, crowd and floodlit finish are worth seeing even without a wager.
Race dates, admission rules, prices and train times change. Confirm with the racecourse and the rail operators shortly before you go. Racecourses are named for information only; this guide is not affiliated with them. Betting is for adults aged 20 and over.