Place to see: Tokyo Racecourse, Tōkyō-to, Japan

Running the Ponies

Running the Ponies by Joel Neff

Horses thunder down the course at Tokyo Racetrack, Tokyo.

Running the Ponies

About this place:

Bright, clean, fun - these are all words that, together or individually, can describe Tokyo Racecourse. A direct express train from Shinjuku JR Station leads to the front gate of the race grounds. From there, visitors can proceed into the grandstands, where the obligatory betting stands and food and drink vendors await. They can also take a right and go down amongst a quiet, cool, park to pick out their winners or just wander over to the parade circle to look at the competing horses.

Spectators can choose from one of several spots from which to watch the races. There are the grandstands, both open air and closed, the standing room only trackside area, or the secondary stands located inside the center of the track. All three areas are clean, well-lighted, and easily accessible.

The grounds are also family friendly, with a designated kids area, as well as carriage and pony rides.

Admission runs ¥200 on live race days.

Postcards about Tokyo Racecourse:

  • Joel Neff

    23 May 2008
    From:
    Joel Neff

    I almost did not see the finish. I was so intent on checking my ticket stub that I almost missed seeing horse number 6, Asian Winds, make her move to take the lead position as the horses came around into the final stretch. The announcer screamed into his microphone "Number 6 is going to do it!" My breath caught in my throat as the horses galloped past the finish line. I stood clutching my ticket, watching the replay on the screen, willing it to match what I thought had happened. The replay slowed, slowed some more, then showed Asian Winds crossing the line just in front of the other horses to win the 3rd Annual Victoria Mile at Tokyo Racetrack.

    The older Japanese man next to me, said, "Kachimashita?" Did you win? I nodded. He smiled and gave me a thumbs up. My friends and I gathered up our winnings and walked over to the payout machines, not caring that our winnings were mere pocket change, only grinning and feeling like champions.

1-1 Hiyoshi-cho, Fuchu-shi
Tokyo, Tōkyō-to, JP
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Discovered by Joel Neff
on 23 May 2008.
131 views.