Ohi Race Track, commonly known as Tokyo City Keiba, is the most popular racetrack out of all the local tracks in Tokyo. It is also home of the Twinkle Race, a race that takes place at night under beautiful illuminations.

Ohi Race Track opened in 1950 as an alternate to Hachioji racetrack and held its first race on May 12, 1950. Ohi track was the first to introduce night races in Japan and it is still a local racetrack that represents night racing. Let’s check out why this track is so popular.

When first entering from the main gate, go straight and you can easily find the paddock. The paddock is important because spectators like to see the horses and examine them before making bets as to which horse will win the race. By watching the horses move around in the paddock spectators can check the condition of the horses with their own eyes.

Examining the horses in the paddock

Next to the paddock is the L-Wing grandstand, which is six floors high, has a total floor area of 22 thousand m2, and can accommodate 4,000 people. It is the largest stand out of all local race tracks.

View of the grandstand

Inside of the grandstand there are many restaurants and shops. After the Tohoku Earthquake in 2011 many flags were put up around the grandstand as well; offering good luck wishes and messages to those affected by the earthquake.

Flag

This flag has the name of a fishing boat from Tohoku and not the name of a horse. They are showing their hope of reconstruction and support for those in the affected regions by posting this on the wall.

Reserved seats in L-WING and the Number Four Stand

Inside Star Seat

The Star Seat, located inside the L-Wing, is unique. It costs 3,000yen to reserve, and along with comfortable seating there are also monitors available in each booth.

The Diamond Turn

Seating

The Diamond Turn is a restaurant which features buffet style eating and an American style room where spectators can enjoy eating and watching the race at the same time. There are many other activities as well, and betting slips can easily be filled out there.

The Diamond Turn is usually filled with families and couples who enjoy horse racing and it is a no-smoking area, but there are smoking areas located nearby.

Food served in the Diamond Turn

Located outside of the grandstands are many food stalls and events that spectators can enjoy.

Food stalls

Gyu-suji Nikomi (stewed beef tendon) and Gyu-motsuni (beef intestine) are popular dishes that can be found at food stalls located outside of the racetrack and grandstands. There is also a rumor that many people win their bets after eating here.

Gyu-suji Nikomi and Gyu-motsuni

Ohi Race Track Race Scene

Twinkle Race

The Twinkle Race, which is a night race, is the main attraction at the Ohi Race Track. The horses that run under the illuminations are beautiful and powerful. The Twinkle Race has recorded a total of 33 million customers and will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2011. Holding the Twinkle Race became a trigger to change the conventional image of race tracks and made a great impact in Japanese leisure and the distribution industry.

How to Buy Betting Slips

Buying a betting slip and choosing a horse that you think will win is one way to enjoy horse racing. There are various types of betting slips such as the Tanshou (betting on first place), Baren (betting first and second place) and so on.

The explanation, in English, of how to buy betting slips and fill them out is on the Ohi Race Track homepage. It is a bit complicated, so please check there for details.
https://www.tokyocitykeiba.com/04/english_03.php

Grandstand at night

Recently the horse racing industry seems to be having some financial difficulties and the Arao Race Track, located in Kumamoto, had to close. Luckily the Ohi Race Track seems to have enough power to breakthrough such difficulties. Please visit the racetrack to enjoy its various attractions, and to support its importance in Tokyo.