🏇 2026 Complete Guide to Horse Racing in Chubu and Hokkaido From Chukyo Racecourse on the outskirts of Nagoya to cool horse racing in Hakodate and Sapporo in Hokkaido in the summer, the Chubu and Hokkaido regions offer completely different horse racing experiences.In 2026, 3 G1 races will be held here, as well as the Hokkaido Summer Horse Racing full of summer style! 📍 Zhongjing Racecourse Located in Toyomei City, Aichi Prefecture, it is the largest racecourse in the Chubu region.The main venue is a 2,000-meter loop on the left (A and B routes). In 1998, the facilities were fully renovated and modernized.The winter turf race (Championship Cup) and the spring short distance G1 (Takamatsunomiya Kinen) are its two highlights. Location: 1235 Shikida, Kamimecho, Toyomei City, Aichi Prefecture Nearest station: Meitetsu Nagoya Main Line “Chukyo Racecourse-mae” station (about 1 minute walk) Reserved seats: JRA official website (https://www.jra.go.jp) Admission fee: Normally 200 yen 🏆 List of G1 races at Zhongjing Racecourse ②Takamatsugu Shrine Memorial Date: March 29 (Sunday) Distance: 1200m Features: Founded in 1971, Japan’s top short-distance G1.It was originally the opening commemorative race at Chukyo Racecourse, but now it is the spring sprint king decider.The high-speed sprint in a straight line makes your blood rush. Transportation: 1 minute walk from Meitetsu Chukyo Racecourse-mae Station Admission: Normally 200 yen ⑮チャンピオンズカップ Date: November 29 (Sunday) Distance: ダート (mud) 1800m Features: Founded in 2000, it is the highest level of Japan’s clay racing events.Originally known as “ダートG1″ジャパンカップダート, it was renamed to its current name in 2014.It is the most decisive battle on clay throughout the year, with a prize money of up to 180 million yen (winner). Transportation: Same as above Admission: Normally 200 yen 🌊 Hokkaido Summer Horse Racing—Hakodate Racecourse Located in Hakodate City, Hokkaido, it is the northernmost racecourse in Japan and the smallest racecourse in the JRA.The main venue is 1,627 meters in a circle on the right.The race is held for four weeks every summer (mid-June to late July), which is the summer style of horse racing. Location: 12-1 Komabacho, Hakodate City, Hokkaido Nearest station: Hakodate City Electric Racecourse Station (about 1 minute walk) Period: Mid-June to late July 2026 Admission fee: Normally 100 yen (special price in summer) Features: cool climate, horse racing experience with the night view of Mt. Hakodate as the background, abundant seafood and delicious food Hakodate Racecourse does not host G1 races, but does host 2 JRA prize races: – Hakodate Memorial (G3, Shiba 2000m): July – Hakodate Surinto S (G3, Shiba 1200m): June 🌻 Hokkaido Summer Horse Racing—Sapporo Racecourse Located in Chuo-ku, Sapporo City, Hokkaido, the main venue is 1,700 meters (Route A) and 1,647 meters (Route B) on the right.The race is held for about four weeks in the summer (late July to early September), alternating with the Hakodate Racecourse.After the end of the season, the Sapporo Memorial (G2) will be held, which is the prelude to the autumn G1. Location: 16-chome Kita 16-jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido Nearest station: JR Sanuma Line (Gakuen City Line) “Kawazono” Station (about 5 minutes’ walk) Period: Late July to early September 2026 Admission fee: Normally 100 yen (special price in summer) Features: Urban racecourse, watch the race and enjoy the Sapporo summer beer garden Sapporo Racecourse Prize Race: – Sapporo Memorial (G2, Shiba 2000m): mid-August (an important outpost of the Guma middle distance route) – エルムステークス(G3、ダ1700m):August 🍦 Recommended summer horse racing experience in Hokkaido Going to Hokkaido to watch horse racing in the summer is a great travel experience! – Hakodate Horse Racing: After the race, you can visit the Hakodate Market to eat seafood donburi and watch the night view of Mount Hakodate in the evening – Sapporo Horse Racing: After the race, you can experience the Sapporo Oktoberfest and take a stroll in Odori Park – The summer limited admission ticket is only 100 yen, which is a great deal! – Hokkaido’s specialty “Genghis Khan Mutton” and “Sapporo Beer” are available at the racecourse. – There is a “Lecture for Beginners in Horse Racing” for first-time spectators 🚃 Chukyo・Hokkaido Racecourse Transportation Chukyo Racecourse: Directly connected to Chukyo Racecourse-mae Station on the Meitetsu Nagoya Main Line, about 25 minutes from Nagoya Station Hakodate Racecourse: Directly connected to the Hakodate City Electric “Racecourse” station, about 15 minutes from JR Hakodate Station Sapporo Racecourse: 5 minutes on foot from JR Kuwazono Station, about 8 minutes from Sapporo Station 💡 Tips for watching the game ① The Shiba 1200m (Takamatsunomiya Kinen) at Chukyo Racecourse is the shortest G1 distance in Japan and is a must-see for pure speed. ② The Champions Cup determines the strongest dirt horse that year. In recent years, the strength of overseas participating horses cannot be underestimated. ③ The admission fee for the Hokkaido summer horse racing is only 100 yen, and the temperature is about 20 to 25 degrees, making it a great choice to escape the heat and watch the races. ④ Hakodate Racecourse is the only JRA racecourse where you can watch races while looking at the sea view. ⑤ In summer, the queues at Hokkaido Racecourse are smaller than those in Tokyo and Kansai, making it a suitable challenge for beginners. ⑥ If you want to participate in reserved seats, it is recommended to make a reservation on the JRA official website one month in advance. 📌 JRA official website: https://www.jra.go.jp
