Visiting Horse Racing Course of JRA (Japan Racing Association) or Off-Track Betting Facilities (WINS) near your hotel.
How to bet your money on horses and background of the race are explained by the guide of this tour.
At your hotel in Tokyo (or the place you designate).
At your hotel in Tokyo (or the place you designate).
Guide fee, Hotel pick-up in central Tokyo area.
Transportation fee from the hotel to the Race Course (you and guide), Lunch, Entrance fee into the Race Course, Horse racing newspaper, Betting fee.
Recently Japanese horses are getting strong. Some horses run in overseas prestigious races like Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Horse racing is getting popular among Japanese people and would be the most typical gamble. You will enjoy not only horse racing itself but also watching how Japanese people are distracted on weekend. In case of a tour to the horse racing course, it is possible to see inside race course as general amusement place for Japanese people. In case of visiting WINS, you can choose Off-Track Betting Facilities near your hotel.
If you are lucky, you will get money (but it is NOT guaranteed).
In spring, autumn and winter, JRA horse races are held in Tokyo area in either Tokyo Racecourse (Fuchu, west of Tokyo) or Nakayama Racecourse (Funabashi, Chiba).
In summer, JRA horse races are held in local sites in Japan and this tour is done by visiting one of the Off-Track Betting Facilities (WINS) in Tokyo (or Yokohama) near your hotel.
Detailed information on schedule of JRA races can be obtained from JRA English web site.
This tour is basically available on every Saturday and Sunday, but also sometimes on Monday of national holiday when JRA (Japan Racing Association) horse race is held.
If your hotel is located in 23 wards of Tokyo, pick-up fee to the hotel is free.
Tours are basically done by using public transportation like trains and subways.
“Excellent Tokyo introduction!”
We were a group of 4 on our first day in Tokyo. We had an excellent experience with Toshihiro. He met us at our hotel and away we went. Not only did we see interesting sights, but more importantly he taught us lots of “fun facts” that we would never have discovered for ourselves. As one example, visiting a Shinto shrine we learned about the architecture and the different rituals and how each differ between Shinto and Buddhist shrines. I felt sad for tourists who had no guide and so missed the significance and meaning of what they were seeing. Importantly, Toshihiro kept his explanations short and on point — no long lectures, just interesting context and facts. He was a delight and all of us had a great time, seeing so many different Tokyo sights that we could never have managed to see on our own in one day. We highly recommend Toshihiro.
Toshihiro Y.
(263 reviews)Thank you for the excellent tour review, Seth-san. All members in your group are friendly and enthusiastic for learning Japanese culture. I enjoyed conversation with you. History of Shinto and Buddhist is very complicated. As you mentioned, my explanation was short and only on point. Probably you felt that something was contradicted and ambiguous, but you were generous and understood the essence instantly. I felt that you know the history of various parts in the world well. In the Shinto shrine we visited, one tourist in another group asked you "How did you find a tour guide?" after listening our conversation. And you answered "We found a guide in the web site called GoWithGuide". It was a big help for the all tour guides in this site. I think that one tour guide gets a job owing to your promotion activity. I know you are still in Japan for almost three weeks. Have a nice trip!
“Excellent guide”
Toshi was great. Extremely knowledgeable and easy to understand. Highly recommended. Suggest that comfortable shoes are worn!
Toshihiro Y.
(263 reviews)Thank you for the marvelous tour review, Sheila-san. It was a clear sky day, we walked a quite long distance under cherry blossoms. Thank you for the good advice for the future tourists of this itinerary.
“First class Guide Highly Recommend”
My husband and I spent 2 days with Toshihiro San. We would never have seen what we did without him. His knowledge of the underground system is second to none and he was most considerate in making sure we were following him and getting us seats on the trains. He also has excellent knowledge of the city and we enjoyed his stories. Thank you for 2 wonderful days in Tokyo .
Toshihiro Y.
(263 reviews)Thank you for the amazing tour review, Irene-san. The first day was a strong rainy day. We needed to change the itinerary. But you accepted my suggestion without any complaint. You were very cooperative. Thank you very much again. I enjoyed conversation with you, especially about the difference of royal family between your country and Japan. I know you are still in Japan for a few more days. Please enjoy the rest of the days in Japan.