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The Tokyo Racecourse is near two train stations. This is one of them, Fuchu Keiba Seimon-mae Station on the Keio Keibajo Line that shoots off from Higashi Fuchu Station (a Jun-tokkyu stop on race days) on the Keio Line from Shinjuku. 府中競馬正門前
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A pedestrian overpass connects the Fuchu Keiba Seimon-mae Station directly to the Tokyo Race Course's Fuji View Stand.
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Horse statue
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Sign at overpass entrance.
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A pedestrian overpass connects the Fuchu Keiba Seimon-mae Station directly to the Tokyo Race Course's Fuji View Stand.
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Entrance to Tokyo Racecourse. Admission is only ¥200.
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From the overpass, there's this on the left side.
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On the right is the paddock. (More paddock photos later.)
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Fuji View Stand from behind. The overpass from the train station can be seen. This building was built in April 2007.
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Memorial Stand is next to the Fuji View Stand.
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Inside Fuji View Stand. Very spacious and modern, the Tokyo Race Course is a huge facility not only for horse racing and betting, but also for family recreation and amusement.
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The Japan Racing Association's flagship horse-racing course in Fuchu, Tokyo got a makeover in April 2007 with a spanking new grandstand called Fuji View Stand. Very impressive, and entertaining even for non-gamblers.
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Inside Fuji View Stand.
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Betting windows
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Betting windows
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You can also watch the race inside on a large monitor.
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There are a several floors in the Fuji View Stand.
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Food court
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Fuji View Stand, so named because Mt. Fuji can be seen on clear days.
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Map of Tokyo Race Course. There are also amusement facilities within the race course oval itself, accessible through an underground tunnel.
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View from Fuji View Stand. The place is huge, enough to host a small airport. These photos were taken on June 14, 2009 when the Grade III Epsom Cup races were held.
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View from Fuji View Stand.
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If it rains, you can sit here. On this day on June 14, 2009, the Grade III Epsom Cup horse races were held.
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Right behind the Fuji View Stand is the paddock where you can view the horses before the race.
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Tokyo Racecourse paddock.
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There were 12 races this day, and before each race the horses were paraded around the paddock for all to see.
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Paddock
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Jockeys later got on the horses in the paddock.
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The Japan Racing Association (JRA) runs the Tokyo Race Course.
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Horse named "Hurry Up" to be ridden by famous jockey Take Yutaka.
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Another place where you can preview horses is here, after a race. This is the basement of the Fuji View Stand. No flash photography allowed.
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Horse preview in the Fuji View Stand basement. The jockeys are returning after a race.
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Now let's see how a race is conducted. After displaying the horses in the paddock, they appear on the race course.
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They do a few practice gallops. This is Take Yutaka on Hurry Up.
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These practice gallops are a good photo op, especially if the jockey is famous.
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The horses then gather here and walk in a circle.
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The horses then move near the starting gate and do more circular walks.
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Finally they enter the starting gate. A tractor will pull the gate off the course after they start.
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Ready, set...
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GO!! And there're off!!
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The starting gate is not really visible from the viewing stand unless you're on the upper levels (extra cost).
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They are running on the dirt track.
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The starting gate changes depending on the race. This starting gate is on the grass track in front of the viewing stand. This guy is there to signal.
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This is one of the best vantage points to shoot a race if you're not a press photographer.
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Coming around the turn.
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See how the jockeys try to float above the horse. They don't sit on the horse at all.
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Press photographers
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Being near the finish line is the worst place to shoot unless you're one of these press photographers.
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From the Fuji View Stand. These are the free seats.
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Quite full
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One tunnel that goes to the inside of the racecourse track.
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Inside the race track oval are amusement facilities for kids as well as betting windows and picnic areas. They are making it a place for family recreation.
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Free train rides even.
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Inside the Tokyo Racecourse track oval.
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Lawn inside the track oval.
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Tokyo Racecourse Finish line as seen from inside the track oval.
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Horses reach the finish line.
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After each race, these people scour the entire course and pick up trash and patch holes with dirt.
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For the dirt track, trucks smooth the track.
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Large monitor. They also showed races from the Chukyo Racecourse held on the same day in Aichi.
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Weather.
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Fuji View Stand. The upper levels are reserved seating which cost extra. Most people sat on the free, lower level.
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Winner's circle.
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Fujioka Yusuke, winning jockey
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The winning horse's trainer, owner, and jockey receive a trophy during a ceremony.
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Horse statue
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JRA Keiba Museum is also within the Tokyo Racecourse. Open on Wed., Thu., Sat., and Sun. from 10 am to 4 pm (or 5 pm on race days). Free admission (except for the 200 yen admission to the racecourse). JRA競馬博物館
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Inside JRA Keiba Museum's Takarazuka Cup exhibit
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History of horse racing.
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A life-size mock-up of the starting gate. Press a button while sitting on the mannequin horse and the gate will open. Also see my YouTube video here.
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Video simulation and horse ride during a race. Neat ride for kids.
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Horse racing by foreign residents.
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Hoofs
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Horse exhibit.
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Narita Brian, a famous racehorse.
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Deep Impact
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