Tokyo Racecourse, one of the 10 horse racing venues operated by the Japan Racing Association, offers a wonderful getaway where visitors can enjoy a relaxed day out in the open air, feeling the natural autumn breeze. Located in Fuchu, Tokyo, it is easily accessible from the city center by train or car.
Beyond the turf, dirt and steeplechase courses where thrilling and dynamic competitions take place, the venue features food, events and playgrounds for children, making it an ideal family-friendly destination.
Off to the races
The gates to the racecourse open at 9 a.m., setting the stage for a full day of entertainment. Typically, there are 12 races per day, starting around 10 a.m., with the 11th running serving as the day’s main event. Racehorses enter and begin to circle the paddock around the time the preceding race is scheduled to start.
As the afternoon progresses, the excitement builds toward the 11th race, which usually takes place between 3:20 and 3:40 p.m. In the case of famous Grade I races, the most prestigious class in which top-tier racehorses and jockeys compete, the area near the finish line in front of the Fuji View Grandstand completely fills with spectators. From there, visitors can immerse themselves in the incredible energy and excitement of the race.
Families with children can look for a good viewing spot in or near this area early in the day, or watch some of the earlier, less crowded races, where the scenes of horses running at full speed are just as dramatic.
Similarly, the paddock for the main race is usually surrounded by large crowds. To get a good view of the horses that will compete in the main race, it is best to be near the paddock while the preceding race is still underway. To let children observe racehorses while avoiding crowds, it is recommended that they visit the paddock earlier in the day.
More to explore
The grounds are filled with scenic, educational and fun spots to explore between races. The horse preview area, located on the first floor of the main Fuji View Grandstand, is a popular spot among horse racing fans, offering a close-up view of the jockeys and horses as they head to the track or return from a race.
Near the East Gate, the Horse Riding Center offers opportunities to tour the stables and touch the horses. Visitors who apply in advance and are selected through a lottery on the official JRA Racecourse Event Participation App can experience horseback riding and horse-drawn carriage rides. A horse show is also available. The schedule and details of each event are published on Tokyo Racecourse’s official website.
Also located near the East Gate, the JRA Racing Museum houses permanent and special exhibitions on the history of Japanese horse racing. There are also fascinating displays on horses and jockeys, as well as a virtual reality machine that allows visitors to experience what it is like to be a jockey. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on race days, with the VR experience available until 4:30 p.m.
For souvenirs, the Turfy Shop is a must-visit. It is located on the second floor of the Memorial 60 Grandstand and on the second and third floors of the Fuji View Grandstand. A wide variety of merchandise featuring legendary and active racehorses, including stuffed toys, T-shirts, towels and stationery, is available. As the shop gets very busy by the end of the day, and there isn’t much time between the end of the final race and the shop’s closing time, early shopping is recommended.
There is also play equipment for younger children, such as a mini-shinkansen train ride, a bouncy dome and swings.
A taste of excitement
There are plenty of dining options across the facility. The Fuji View Grandstand houses food courts and restaurants offering dishes including pasta, steak, soba and udon noodles, rice bowls, sushi, ramen, takoyaki (octopus dumplings) and fried chicken. Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks are also available.
Visitors can also use an underground passage to access the area inside the racetrack. Here, food stalls serve a variety of dishes including soba and udon noodles, curry and omelet rice, which is particularly popular with children in Japan.
This area also hosts a variety of seasonal or themed events, including gourmet festivals and markets, exhibitions, stage performances and games for children. Event information is posted on the JRA Fun website.
In front of the Memorial 60 Grandstand, there is a spacious lawn area where families can enjoy picnics while watching horses sprint down the homestretch just before the finish line. There are also food stalls inside the building.
Getting there
From opening at 9 a.m. until closing at 5 p.m., Tokyo Racecourse offers attractions to keep families entertained all day long.
Online tickets are ¥100, while tickets at the gate are ¥200. However, special pricing applies to days when some of the most prestigious races are held. For example, admission costs ¥500 for the Tenno Sho on Nov. 1 and ¥1,000 for the Japan Cup on Nov. 29, and advance online booking is necessary.
Various types of reserved seats are also available for visitors who prefer to watch the races while seated. As prices for reserved seats vary between regular days and special race days, it is recommended that visitors check the official website in advance.
The racecourse is conveniently located a two-minute walk from Fuchukeiba-seimommae Station on the Keio Line, and a five-minute walk from Fuchuhommachi on the JR Nambu and Musashino lines.
Parking is available for ¥2,000 on race days in car parks along the road on the north side of the racecourse. However, as the surrounding roads may become congested and the car parks fill up quickly, the use of public transport is recommended.
While races are generally held every Saturday and Sunday throughout November, there are a few exceptions. There will be no races on Saturday Nov. 21, but there will be races on Sunday, Nov. 22 and Monday, Nov. 23, which is a national holiday.
Payments for same-day tickets, parking and betting tickets purchased at the on-site automated ticket machines must be made in cash.
Visit for more information on purchasing admission tickets and reserved seats.
