Kyoto returned to racing in April 2023 after a reconstruction period that began in late 2020. Its temporary absence meant that races associated with the venue had to be staged elsewhere. That distinction matters when exploring the archive: an edition belongs to the course where it actually took place. The reopening introduced a renewed spectator setting while restoring Kyoto’s place in the rhythm of racing in western Japan.
Kyoto’s course is known for its rise and descent around the far side, a feature that makes the profile more interesting than the outline of an oval suggests. The official course guide separates the different circuits and their elevation changes. Those details help explain the physical setting without predicting how a particular race will unfold.
Fushimi Inari. Explore the shrine’s vermilion gates in southern Kyoto, in the same broad part of the city as the racecourse.
Fushimi’s sake district. Walk through the historic brewing area around Chushojima for canals, traditional streets and another side of Kyoto.
Kyoto has 1,463,723 residents.
