Few, if any, visitors to Japan, having read the guide books and pondered where to go and what to see in the area they are staying will have ever entertained the idea of heading to a motorcycle racetrack.
Their loss!
Whilst not the most typically Japanese of sports, like sumo, kendo or judo, bike racing has long been connected with the Kawaguchi area and is incredibly popular with Japanese young and old.
It also makes for a great day out for the whole family – noisy admittedly – but a day the kids will not forget as they imitate the bikes traveling at 150 kilometers per hour around the 500-meter track.
Indeed, in a nation where gambling is strictly limited to football, horseracing, boat racing, and having a flutter on bicycle racing, a few yen wagered on the bikes – ‘autorace’ as the Japanese like to call it – is a thoroughly unique way to spend an afternoon for the parents too. You may even make your admission fee and transportation costs back if you pick carefully, or, more likely are just out and out lucky.
Pick of the bunch in as far as tracks in Japan go is the Kawaguchi Autorace track (officially called the Kawaguchi Motorcycle Racing Course) in southern Saitama, but a stone’s throw north of central Tokyo on the Keihin Tohoku Line. (see access details)
Races are held roughly 15 days of the month, often centered on weekends or national holidays, and usually get underway at 10am. Events to entertain the fans between races are a regular feature. Cards with the rider’s image a la similar handouts at baseball and soccer will also give the kids a keepsake and all is topped off with winners having a floral garland placed around their neck in prize-winner’s ceremonies more at home circa 1950s California county fairs.
Get along to the track, feel the ground shake underfoot, watch the bikes flash by and feel free to shout your support for all your worth. It is unlikely anyone will hear you!
