Enjoy “Ramen-fest 2017,” a Winter Event at Ohi Racecourse!

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Written by GOOD LUCK TRIP

Do you believe that “racecourses are for gambling”?
There’s actually a racecourse that’s practically a sightseeing location of its own, where you can enjoy fun events, gorgeous illuminations, and even amazing gourmet foods! That place is here, “Ohi Racecourse” in Tokyo’s Shinagawa.

A raCecourse like a sightseeing spot: Ohi racecourse
A raCecourse like a sightseeing spot: Ohi racecourse

This article will introduce you to both Ohi Racecourse and its spotlight winter event “Ramen-fest 2017.”
This article is for those of you who want to experience Tokyo’s nighttime at the end of the year, or to couples, families, and friends who are planning to visit Tokyo!

Article Contents

The Appeals of Ohi Racecourse!

Racecourses in Tokyo

Tokyo is home to Fuchu City’s Tokyo Racecourse and Shinagawa’s Ohi Racecourse.

Tokyo Racecourse, one of the courses operated by the Japan Racing Association, holds races every Saturday and Sunday (potentially including public holidays).
Ohi Racecourse (nickname: TCK), a municipally operated racecourse, holds races on weekdays (potentially including public holidays).

Ohi Racecourse is located near the city center, so being able to avoid large crowds typical of the weekends when going to its weekday races is one of its points of appeal!

Twinkle Race

From April through December, Ohi Racecourse hosts Japan’s first nighttime horse races, called “Twinkle Race.” (From January through March, races are held during the day. For detailed schedules), see official site.
A Twinkle Race is more than just an exciting race to the finish line; it’s also held alongside a bright and colorful illumination. There are also plenty of other fun events held, and the ability to enjoy a variety of types of entertainment at the same time as the race has had Ohi Racecourse recognized as a “new nighttime date spot in Tokyo”!

Photogenic Twinkle Race is Great for Social Media Posts!
Photogenic Twinkle Race is Great for Social Media Posts!

Additionally, the illumination will undergo a large-scale renewal starting in April of 2018, and in October the venue will be the largest illumination in all of Kanto (8 million lights).

Illumination
Illumination

Convenient Access

The stations nearest to Ohi Racecourse are Tokyo Monorail’s Oi Keibajo-mae Station and Keikyu’s Tachiaigawa Station. The racecourse can also easily be accessed by free shuttle bus from JR’s Oimachi Station, Omori Station, and Kinshicho Station, so you can even save on travel costs.

2 Minutes on Foot from Tokyo Monorail’s Oi Keibajo-mae Station!
2 Minutes on Foot from Tokyo Monorail’s Oi Keibajo-mae Station!

Enjoy Delicious Gourmet Foods

There are plenty of foods and drinks to enjoy as well, from delicious cheap meals to dishes aimed at women!
In addition, a horserace spectating restaurant called “Diamond Turn” offers a full-fledged buffet, supervised by a famous French chef.
Watching a horserace while savoring some delicious food is a chic different way to enjoy a date!

Diamond Turn - Interior
Diamond Turn - Interior
Diamond Turn – Buffet!
Diamond Turn – Buffet!

Ramen-fest 2017

Ramen-fest 2017 will be held at Ohi Racecourse!
There will even host restaurants famous for foods that pair well with ramen like gyoza and kara-age in addition to the ramen shops carefully selected by the famous Tokyo city magazine “Tokyo Walker”!

※Official Event Name: “#Ramen-fest 2017 in TCK”

#Ramen-fest 2017 in TCK
#Ramen-fest 2017 in TCK

Event Schedule and Location

Schedule (including during rainy weather):

  • December 25th (Monday) and 26th (Tuesday): 14:10-21:00 (Last orders at 20:30)
  • December 27th (Wednesday): 13:30-21:00 (Last orders at 20:30)
  • December 29th (Friday) through 31st (Sunday): 10:00-18:00 (Last orders at 17:30)

Location:

Ohi Racecourse “UMILE SQUARE”

Event Venue
Event Venue

※Races December 25th-27th are night races, December 29th-30th are day races.

Check This Out! [Omikuji Betting Tickets]

Omikuji betting tickets are available for 3 days, from December 29th through 31st! Usually “omikuji” are fortune slips that divine your luck. The omikuji betting tickets contain randomly selected horserace betting tickets, so whether or not you win is determined by luck!!

Furthermore, there are certain “omikuji” that will come with gifts!

Omikuji Betting Tickets
Omikuji Betting Tickets

Food Stall Information

●Ramen

This event features a lineup of Tokyo’s leading ramen shops! You can enjoy a variety of different types of ramen, like shoyu, miso, tonkotsu, and shio; it’s almost like being in a ramen museum!

This event features a lineup of Tokyo’s leading ramen shops!
This event features a lineup of Tokyo’s leading ramen shops!

Ramen Shops Planned for This Event:

※Available stalls and their menus are subject to change without notice.

◎BASSO Drill-Man

“BASSO Drill-Man” is an incredibly popular restaurant in Ikebukuro, a hot spot for ramen! They use no chemical seasonings, so their ramen is easy on your body. The line out the door and your chopsticks both refuse to stop!

BASSO Drill-Man
BASSO Drill-Man

◎Kujira Shokudo

“Kujira Shokudo” is located in Tokyo’s Koganei City. Their ramen, made with Manila clams packed with seafood umami, is so popular that it’s been featured in various forms of media!

Kujira Shokudo
Kujira Shokudo

◎Nikusoba Keisuke

“Nikusoba Keisuke,” a ramen shop in Kinshicho, has amazingly delicious chashu pork! Even their portions of meat are huge! If you’re a fan of meat, this is the ramen for you!

Nikusoba Keisuke
Nikusoba Keisuke

◎Onisoba Fujiya

“Onisoba Fujiya” in Shibuya is so popular that it even sells its own cup ramen! Its clear, golden shio ramen gets rave reviews, and the restaurant is even often visited by celebrities and entertainers!

Onisoba Fujiya
Onisoba Fujiya

◎Shinasoba Tanaka

“Shinasoba Tanaka” offers up unique and delicious ramen thanks to its Italian owner! It’s known for its mild and beautifully presented ramen!

Shinasoba Tanaka
Shinasoba Tanaka

◎Tonkotsumen Ano Komiya

“Tonkotsumen Ano Komiya” is a ramen shop near the Tokyu Toyoko Line’s “Toritsu-Daigaku Station.” It specializes in tonkotsu ramen, and its rich tonkotsu broth is widely acclaimed!

Tonkotsumen Ano Komiya
Tonkotsumen Ano Komiya

◎Taishio Soba Toka

“Taisho Soba Toka” is a ramen shop near the Toei Subway Shinjuku Line’s “Akebonobashi Station.” This incredibly indulgent ramen brings out the best of luxurious Uwajima red snapper!

Taishio Soba Toka
Taishio Soba Toka

◎Menya Nakagawakai

“Menya Nakagawakai” is located near Kinshicho Station. They make rich extracts from a variety of different ingredients, leading to a soulful ramen with essentially all of its imperfections and odors removed!

Menya Nakagawakai
Menya Nakagawakai

★Original Dishes Exclusively for Ohi Racecourse?!

In addition to their regular menus, each ramen shop will feature “Ohi Racecourse-exclusive dishes” that are only available at Ohi Racecourse, as well as some Instagram-ready ramen dishes!

●Gyoza

Gyoza Shops Planned for This Event:

※Available stalls and their menus are subject to change without notice.

◎Dairen Gyoza Kichi DALIAN

“Dairen Gyoza Kichi DALIAN” is a famous shop located in Yokohama Chinatown. Each of their dishes are carefully made by hand, one by one.
You’ll get a head-on taste of the deliciousness of the chewy wrapper and umami-packed filling made with crispy chicken wings.
You can try their delicious dishes without having to visit Chinatown at Ohi Racecourse!

Dairen Gyoza Kichi DALIAN
Dairen Gyoza Kichi DALIAN

◎Utsunomiya Gyoza Washo

Utsunomiya City is the place in Japan for gyoza!
Washo, located in Utsunomiya City, makes all of their gyoza by hand. Their enormous gyoza, packed with plenty of vegetables, weigh 50 grams each!

Utsunomiya Gyoza Washo
Utsunomiya Gyoza Washo

●Kara-age

Kara-age Shops Planned for This Event:

※Available stalls and their menus are subject to change without notice.

◎Irokara

“Irokara” is a kara-age specialty shop that has original flavors you can’t try anywhere else.
In addition to their genuine “umakara” for lovers of pickled plum and super-spicy food, they offer a variety of dishes, including miso kara-age made with their special malted rice miso!! Try their Tokyo-born “Tokyo-style kara-age” at Ohi Racecourse!

Irokara
Irokara

◎Nakatsu Kara-age Kei

“Nakatsu Kara-age Kei” always takes home the prize at kara-age competitions. They take carefully selected Kyushu chicken and marinate it in a secret sauce for 2 days. Be sure to try this popular kara-age!

Nakatsu Kara-age Kei
Nakatsu Kara-age Kei

Summary

Ohi Racecourse is more of an entertainment facility than a place to gamble. Many people would certainly agree after they gave it a visit!
For this year’s end in Tokyo, enjoy white-hot races and delicious ramen alongside your family, friends, or even your lover at Ohi Racecourse!

Ohi Racecourse – Basic Information

Address
2-1-2 Katsushima, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
Tel
03-3763-2151
Admission Fee
100 yen (15 and under free) ※Reserved seats available at additional cost
Business Days and Holidays
See calendar on official web page
Smoking Areas
Yes
Access
[By train] 2 minutes on foot from Tokyo Monorail’s Oi Keibajo-mae Station
[By free bus] By free shuttle bus, about 12 minutes from JR Oimachi Station, about 8 minutes from JR Omori Station, and about 40 minutes from Kinshicho Station
[Rental cars] Parking fee 1,000 yen (1 day)
Website
http://www.tokyocitykeiba.com/en/