 |
Equine
Museum of Japan (Negishi Keiba Kinen Koen Uma no Hakubutsukan):
10am to 4:30 pm; Closed Mon.
100 yen for adults; 30 yen for children. Take bus from Negishi Sta.,
Sakuragicho Sta., Ishikawacho Sta., Hinodecho Sta., or E. Exit of
Yokohama Sta. Walk 20 minutes from Yamate Sta. or Negishi Sta. It
is next door to the Negishi Shinrin Koen Park. Tel: (045 662-7581/fax:
(045) 662-7713. At the Pony Center the Pony-riding Day (Jouba Dee)
is featured the 3rd Sun. of each month. Small children can enjoy horse-driven
carriages and elementary and middle-school children can ride on the
horses from 1pm. Ninjin Time during which children can feed carrots
to the horses and pet the animals is held every Sat., 1:30-1:45pm.
The horse is the seventh of the twelve animals in the Oriental Zodiac
and 2002 (Heisei 14) is the Year of the Horse. The Hour of the Horse
is noon. (URL:
http://www.bajibunka.jrao.ne.jp/) in Japanese only |
The
Japan Association for International Horse Racing
(JAIR Keiba Kokusai Koryu Kyokai)
JRA ( Japan Racing Association/Nihon Chuo Keiba Kai )
( URL: http://japanracing.jp/ )
|
|
|
JRA
Racecourses
| Sapporo |
Admission
fee: 100 yen, reserved seats 600 yen, 1,000 yen & 1,600 yen |
| Hakodate |
Admission fee: 100 yen, reserved seats 600 yen & 1,000 yen |
| Fukushima |
Admission
fee: 100 yen, reserved seats 1,500 yen & 2,000 yen |
| Niigata |
Toyosaka-shi,
Niigata-ken. Admission fee: 100 yen. |
| Tokyo |
Tokyo
Racecourse (Tokyo Keibajo) Representative JRA racecourse, with
a 500m home straight, the longest in Japan. 1-1 Hiyoshicho, Fuchu-shi,
Tokyo-to 183-0024. Fuchu Keibajo Seimon-mae Sta. (Keio Line from Shinjuku)
or Fuchu Honmachi Sta. (JR Nanbu Line), walk 5 min. From 9am. Tel:
(042) 363-3141, fax: (042) 340-7070. Admission fee: 200 yen, reserved
seats 500 yen, 1,500 yen & 2,000 yen. While you are there you might
want to check out the JRA Racing Museum (JRA Keiba Hakubutsukan) 10am-4pm;
Sat. & Sun., 9:30am-4:30pm and FREE on non-race days. Otherwise it
is 200 yen for adults, 100 yen for children. Closed Mon., Tue. & Fri.
Museum, tel: (042) 363-3141. (URL: http://www.bajibunka.jrao.ne.jp/)
in Japanese only |
| Nakayama |
Nakayama
Racecourse (Nakayama Keibajo) 1-1-1 Kosaku, Funabashi-shi,
Chiba-ken. JR Nishi Funabashi Sta., by bus. Tel: (0473) 34-2222. Admission
fee: 200 yen, reserved seats 1,800 yen & 2,800 yen. This the racecourse
which made 87,501,042,400 yen on one race at Arima Kinen on Dec. 22,
1996 (Heisei 8). |
| Chukyo |
Toyoake-shi,
Aichi-ken. Admission fee: 200 yen, reserved seats 1,500 yen, 2,000
yen & 3,000 yen. |
| Kyoto |
Admission
fee: 200 yen, reserved seats 3,000 yen & 3,000 yen. |
| Hanshin |
Takarazuka-shi,
Hyogo-ken. Admission fee: 200 yen, reserved seats 2,000 yen, 2,500
yen & 3,500 yen. |
| Kokura |
Kita
Kyushu-shi, Fukuoka-ken. Admission fee: 100 yen, reserved seats 1,000
yen & 1,500 yen. |
(Discounts
are available for JRA member cards holders)
Calendar
(URL: http://www.jra.go.jp)
(in Japanese only) xxxxx NAR (The National Association of Racing/Chiho
Keiba Zenkoku Kyokai) (URL:
http://www.keiba.go.jp) in Japanese only NAR Racecourses Kitami, Iwamizawa,
Obihiro, Asahikawa, Mombetsu, Sapporo, Morioka, Mizusawa, Kaminoyama,
Niigata, Sanjo, Ashikaga, Utsunomiya, Takasaki, Urawa, Funabashi, Ohi*,
Kawasaki, Kanazawa, Kasamatsu, Nagoya, Chukyo, Sonoda, Himeji, Masuda,
Fukuyama, Kochi, Saga, Arao, Nakatsu
*Ohi
-- Ohi Racecourse (Ohi/Ooi/Oi Keibajo) The only racecourse inside Tokyo
operated by the local government. Tel: (03) 3763-2151. Tel: 0180-993-811
for race results. Races in East Kanto Area (URL: http://www.keiba.go.jp)
in Japanese only Xxxxxxx
|
N.B.:
FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED WHEN TAKING PHOTOS OF THE
HORSES,
BE IT DURING THE YABUSAME HORSEBACK ARCHERY OR OTHERWISE. THANK
YOU. |
EVENTS
Naked
Festival
(Tokimata no Hadaka Matsuri) |
The semi-naked participants bearing portable shrine with a figurine
of sacred horse (shinba) and a portable shrine with rice bales (komedawara)
or sake rice wine barrels, jump into a river. (The nearest Sun. to
the first horse day of the year that differs every year), Chokokuji
Temple, Iida-shi, Nagano-ken. |
| Kite
Fair(Tako Ichi) |
A kite charm to protect the bearer against fire can be purchased at
the shrine. On the first Horse Day of the Year (hatsu-uma) which differs
each year, Oji Inari Jinja Shrine, Oji Sta. (JR Keihin-Tohoku Line).
Shrine (03) 3907-3032. February 12 there are also festivals at Kasama
Inari Jinja Shrine, Kasama-shi, Ibaraki-ken Prefecture and Kyoto Fushimi
Inari Jinja Shrine, Kyoto-shi which was the 4th (following Meiji Jingu
Shrine, "Naritasan" Shinshoji Temple and Kawasaki Daishi Temple) in
the ranking of a new year's pilgrimage overtaking this year the Tennoji
Temple in Osaka. |
| Horse
Day Festivals |
The
second Horse Day of the Year (end of Feb.) festivals are held at Ootayama
Jizoson Temple, Otawara-shi (Ootawara), Tochigi-ken and at Chikukoma
Jinja Shrine, Iwanuma-shi, Miyagi-ken. |
Horseback
Archery
(Yabusame)
|
Early
April, Miyazaki Jingu Shrine, Miyazaki-shi, Miyazaki-ken. Miyazaki-shi
Kankou-kyoku (0985) 20-8658. |
| Horseback
Archery
(Yabusame) |
Started
as a court ritual around the year 700. It became very popular when
Shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo promoted horsemanship and spiritual training
for his warriors. Today, exciting demonstrations are held in spring
and autumn. Mid-April, Sumida Koen Park, Asakusa Sta. (Ginza Line).
Taito Hall (03) 5246-1111. |
| Kawanakajima
Battle
|
Re-enactment
of the decisive Kawanakajima Kassen Battle between Takeda Harunobu
(Shingen) and Uesugi Terutora (Kenshin) who battled for ever in the
16th C. Mid-April, Isawa Sta. (Chuo-Honsen Line). City Hall (0552)
62-4111. |
| Horse-racing
(Hachifuugusa Keiba) |
This
horse racing (400-meter course) began as an entertainment for farmers
and about 40 horses take part. Mid-April, Hachifu Jinja Shrine, Komono-cho,
Mie-gun, Mie-ken. Komono-cho Kikaku Kanko-ka (0593) 93-1121. |
| Yabusame
Shinji
|
Horseback
archery ceremony held May 3, 1pm, Shimogamo Jinja Shrine, Sakyo-ku,
Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu. Shimogamo Jinja-mae Bus Stop. ShimogamoJinja
(075) 781-0010. |
| Uesugi
Matsuri |
A
mock Kawanakajima Battle on the shores of Matsukawa River is held
early May, 2pm. Yonezawa Sta. Yonezawa-shi, Yamagata-ken. Tel: (0238)
22-5111. |
| Kurayami
Matsuri |
Festival
in the dark with a horseback archery (yabusame) by high priests at
9:30pm. May 5, Okunitama Jinja Shrine, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo-to. Fuchu
Sta. (Keio Line from Shinjuku Sta.). Tel: (0423) 62-2130. |
| Yabusame
Matsuri |
Held
May 5, Sengen Taisha Shrine, Fujinomiya Sta. (JR Tokaido Line). Shizuoka-ken.
Town Hall (0544) 27-2002. |
| Toshogu
Shrine Spring |
Festival
Mid-May, 1:30pm at the riding grounds near Shimo-Shindo. Nikko Sta.
(Tobu Line from Asakusa Sta.). Nikko-shi, Tochigi-ken. Tel: (0288)
53-3795. |
| Dosun
Matsuri |
A
memorial service for the Miura feudal lords (daimyo) featuring horseback
archery on the beach. May 27, Arihama Kaigan Beach, by bus to Aburatsubo
from Misaki-guchi Sta. (Keikyu Line from Shinagawa). Town Hall (0468)
82-1111. |
| Chagu-Chagu
Umako |
festival
which features a procession of horses with all kinds of decorations
and bells. Colorfully dressed up children are riding them. Early to
mid-June, during the day in Takizawa-mura Village, Morioka-shi Town,
Iwate Prefecture in Tohoku region. The parade walks from the shrine
at Takizawa-mura Village along the paddy fields to Morioka where they
"park" so you can go around and get a close look of the horses. |
| Morioka-shi
|
Iwate-ken.
Tel: (0196) 51-4111. Soma Nomaoi Festival Held July 23-25. Haranomachi
Sta. (JR Joban Line). Tel: (0244) 22-3064. |
| Yabusame |
The
mounted archers of the Ogasawarayu School of archery, dressed in colorful
traditional costumes, shoot at two, 55-cm wooden targets as their
horses gallop down the 160-meter course. Mid-Sept., Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
Shrine, Kamakura Sta. (JR Tokaido Line). Kamakura Tourist Office (0467)
23-3050. |
Samukawa
Shrine Autumn Festival
(Samukawa Jinja Reitai Sai) |
Mid-Sept. Samukawa Jinja Shrine, Samukawa-cho, Koza-gun, Kanagawa-ken.
Samukawa Jinja, Miyama Sta. (JR Sagami Line). Tel: (0467) 75-0004.
|
Baji
Park
(Baji Koen) |
Ancient polo, horse race for armor-clad riders, and other horse-related
events are held mid-Sept., Baji Koen, Setagaya-ku. Nodaimae-bound
Tokyu Bus from Shibuya Sta. S. Exit. JRA (03) 3429-5101. |
| Kamogawa
Horseback Archery |
(Kamogawa
no Yabusame) in which the next year's harvest is judged from the marks
of the target is held September 28, 3pm, Kippo Hachiman Jinja Shrine,
Kamogawa-shi, Chiba-ken. Awa-Kamogawa Sta. (JR Sotobo Line). Kamogawa
City Hall, Shoukou Kankou-ka (04709) 2-1111. |
| Horseback
Archery
(Yabusame) |
Early
to mid-Oct., Toyama Koen Park, near Ana Hachimangu Shrine, Waseda
Sta. (Tozai Line). Shrine (03) 3203-7212. |
| Horseback
Archery (Yabusame) |
Famous
for its three-horse race. November 3, 2:30pm, Izumo Inamihi Jinja
Shrine, Moroyama-machi, Iruma-gun, Saitama-ken. Higashi Moro Sta.
(Ogose Line), change at Sakadoshi Sta. (Tobu-Tojo Line). Shrine (0492)
95-2112. |
| Archery
Horse-riding |
November
3, Omi (Oomi) Hachiman Jinja Shrine, Omi Hachiman-shi, Shiga-ken.
Tel: (0775) 22-3725. |
| Meiji
Shrine Autumn Festival Horseback Archery (Meiji
Jingu Aki Reitai Sai Yabusame) |
Early-Nov.,
ancient archery event (momoteshiki) and horseback archery (yabusame).
Shrine (03) 3379-5511. |
| Horseback
Archery
(Yabusame) |
November
23, Fukiage-cho, Hioki-gun, Kagoshima-ken. Tel: (0992) 96-3632. |
| Horseback
Archery (Yabusame) |
November
23, Sumiyoshi Jinja Shrine, Sueyoshi-cho, Soo-gun, Kagoshima-ken.
Tel: (0986) 76-0188. |
| Gun
Festival (Teppou Matsuri) |
annually
Dec. 14 & Dec. 15 and the most lively time is the final day. Dec.
14, 2pm, festival floats procession and Kabuki. Dec. 15, activities
from noon feature Kabuki several times in the afternoon, 3:30pm, a
feudal lord procession (daimyo gyouretsu), 4pm, the highlight of this
festival -- a horse race accompanied by the firing of matchlock arquebuses,
and 4:30pm, a parade of two festival floats. Oganomachi Hachimangu
Shrine, Seibu-Chichibu Sta. (Seibu-Chichibu Line from Ikebukuro Sta.;
a 2-hour ride), then 40 min. by bus to Iida Hachimangu Shrine. Tel:
(0494) 75-1221. |
Plaza
Equus
 |
The
Japan Association for International Horse Racing
(JAIR Keiba Kokusai Koryu Kyokai) Tel: (03) 3503-8221 Fax: (03)
3503-8226 (URL: http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/)
National
Riding Club Association of Japan (Zenkoku Joba Kurabu
Shinko Kyokai) (in Japanese only)
It
has a list of riding clubs all over the country. For example, there
are four listed in metropolitan Tokyo, i.e. Setagaya-ku, Shibuya-ku,
Hachioji-shi & Kunitachi-shi. Abaron Jouba Gakkou in Setagaya-ku
charges visitors on a weekday 6,500 yen for 30 minutes and on Sat.,
Sun. & hol. 7,500 yen. Membership fee can be like 200,000 per annum
with additional monthly charges. Japan Race Horse Registry (Nihon
Keishuba Toroku Kyokai) (URL: http://www.jrhr.jrao.ne.jp)
The
National Association of Racing (NAR Chiho Keiba Zenkoku
Kyokai) (URL: http://www.keiba.go.jp)
in Japanese only Japan Racing Horse Association (JRHA Nihon Kyosoba
Kyokai) (URL: http://www.jrha.or.jp)
|
winning
WINS winning WINS winning WINS
(URL:
http://www.netkeiba.com)
in Japanese only
| Betting
tickets |
can
be bought at the racecourse or at off-track betting shops called WINS.
Nowadays, though, the betting can be done over the phone or the Internet.
The WINS, one would imagine, are like the local sento, a place to
see one's "friends" and to discuss things. |
| WINS
Asakusa |
2-10-11
Asakusa, Taito-ku (Ginza Line). Ginza 2-10-13 Ginza, Chuo-ku, off
Showa-dori towards Higashi Ginza Sta. (Hibiya Line). |
| Ginza-dori |
Playguide
Bldg., 2-6-4 Ginza, Chuo-ku, on Ginza-dori, Ginza Sta. Kinshicho |
| Higashi-kan |
3-8-2
Kotobashi, Sumida-ku and Nishi-kan 2-11-7 Kotobashi, Sumida-ku, Kinshicho
Sta. S. Exit (JR Sobu Line). There is Marui Dept. Store between them. |
| Korakuen |
1-3-61
Korakuen, Bunkyo-ku, JR Suidobashi Sta. |
| Shibuya |
3-12-10
Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Shibuya Sta., along left side of the Meiji-dori
towards Hiroo, and up the hill at the Nippon Rent-a-Car along the
road which leads (eventually) to Kodomo no Shiro. |
| Shinbashi |
1-1-19
Shinbashi, Minato-ku, near Hibiya City, Uchisaiwaicho Sta. (Toei-Mita
Line). |
| Shinjuku |
4-2-11
Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku Sta. S. Exit, off Koshu-kaido. |
| Tachikawa
A-kan |
1-3-6
Nishikicho, Tachikawa-shi, JR Tachikawa Sta. S. Exit, off Suzuran-dori.
|
| Yokohama
A-kan |
3-70
Miyakawacho, Naka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa-ken and B-kan 3-136 Nogecho,
Naka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa-ken, Hinodecho Sta. (Keikyu Line).
|
| Isawa |
1017
Kubonakajima, Isawa-cho, Yamanashi-ken, Isawa Onsen Sta. (JR Chuo-Honsen
Line). |
|
