Tokyo City Keiba: A Guide to its Facilities

    When someone asks me what a horse-racing place might have, I tend to only look at its name for the answer: "You go to a horse-racing place... to watch horses race", as I say those words with a perplexed look on my face. I mean, that is the only thing you do there, right?

    The world always finds a way to prove me wrong. Tokyo City Keiba is no exception.

    The Tokyo City Keiba is the largest horse-racing venue in the entire Tokyo metropolis. Situated in a very strategic and convenient location (just ten minutes away from Haneda Airport International Terminal!), it is an important and popular venue for all types of Japanese; families, elderly, and even couples. Not only that, but translations for tourists and foreign residents are also available! This makes the Keiba one of the most accessible in all of Tokyo. The facilities of the Keiba is not one to sneer at, either.

    From the Oi Keibajou Mae station of the Tokyo Monorail, it only takes ten minutes to walk to the North Gate, the main entrance to the horse-racing venue. Once paying a very, very small fee of a hundred yen (around a dollar as of writing this post), you are lead to a covered corridor that is directed to the main central court; the focal point of the many race facilities.

    To your left is a small race-track showcase called The Paddock, where the horses waiting for their race walk around with their jockeys. It's a great opportunity to see these majestic horses up close; to admire their stamina before the actual race begins. 

    To your right is just one of three main buildings that house the viewing ports and betting machines. This five-story building called the L-Wing houses numerous food stalls, from Kentucky Fried Chicken and Matsuya all the way to soba noodles and even sushi. It also houses the premium viewing section with a great viewing port on the upper floors, and it even houses free charging ports and two food stalls! It may cost you a bit more of extra yen, but I personally believe it's worth it.

    Another establishment besides the Pavillion is the Umakatta Square (umakatta meaning "it was so good!", where a plethora of restaurants, beer stalls, and gourmet snacks are open starting at nighttime. Heck, there's even an entire line filled with dessert stalls! Many of these stalls are have relatively affordable prices too, so you can enjoy food as you please!

    On the right side of the L-Wing is the G-Front, another similar building that acts like it's next door neighbor. It is another building where people could sit down to watch the exhilarating games. Also filled with betting machines, the G-Front is just in front of the goal line, so you can get in the action!
    

    Many other facilities lie on the East side of the Keiba. In the South-East side of the race track is a small museum dedicated to keeping memorabilia of famous horses and horse jockeys. On the far east lie the Paka-Paka land, which is popular with children. They are able to ride with ponies in around the holidays. In front of Paka-Paka land is another establishment, the Number 4 Grandstand. It is known for the Diamond Turn, a western-style restaurant with its own buffet: enabling you to enjoy the race and the unlimited food! Finally, in the center is Umaile Square, where many events take place annually.    

    Now that you are informed of the many facilities of the Tokyo City Keiba, I'm sure you are very interested in coming to the facility. I'm also sure you will have fun! 

This post is supported by Tokyo City Keiba, one of City-Cost's Supporters helping City-Cost bloggers to enjoy life in Japan and engage in new experiences.