Racecourses
Built in 1925, Kyoto Racecourse is the premier race- course of Western Japan.  In 2007,  a multi-screen Turf Vision on the same scale as the one in Tokyo was installed. Swans resting their feathers in the pond inside the courses are the trademark of Kyoto Racecourse.The recent renovation was completed in 2023. [Record attendance] 143,606(1995 Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup) [Major races] Tenno Sho(Spring)(G1), Kikuka Sho(Japanese St. Leger)(G1), Mile Championship(G1), Queen Elizabeth II Cup(G1), Shuka Sho(G1) side the coast of the Japan Sea. The racecourse was moved to its current location in 1965. The most recent  renovation was completed in 2001. This racecourse is the only one in Japan to feature a 1,000m straightaway course. [Record attendance] 35,135(1991 Yukyuzan Tokubetsu) [Major races] Sekiya Daishoten(G3), Ibis Summer Dash(G3), Niigata Nisai Stakes (G3), Leopard Stakes(G3) Hakodate Racecourse was opened in 1896 and is the oldest of the existing racecourses in Japan. The racecourse only has race meetings in summer, like Sapporo Racecourse. The recent renovation was completed in 2010. [Record attendance] 29,757(1974 Hakodate Sansai Stakes) [Major races] Hakodate Kinen(G3), Hakodate Sprint Stakes (G3), Hakodate Nisai Stakes(G3) Racecourse joins Kyoto Racecourse as the second of the two feature racecourses in Western Japan. Its racing calendar is comparable with that of Kyoto, and these two racecourses hold race meetings alternately. The grandstand is currently under renova- tion and will be completed in 2025. [Record attendance] 92,986(1997 Takarazuka Kinen) [Major races] Takarazuka Kinen(G1), Oka Sho(Japanese 1000 Guineas)(G1), Hanshin Juvenile Fillies(G1), Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes(G1), Osaka Hai(G1) completed in 1999. [Record attendance] 40,196(2018 Kokura Kinen) [Major races] Kitakyushu Kinen(G3), Kokura Kinen(G3), Kokura Nisai Stakes(G3), Kokura Daishoten(G3) 8 Fukushima Racecourse was opened in 1918. The paddock can be found uniquely on the second floor in the grandstand. [Record attendance] 47,391(1993 Tanabata Sho) [Major races] Fukushima Himba Stakes(G3), Tanabata Sho (G3), Radio Nikkei Sho(G3), Fukushima Kinen(G3) largest city on the northern island of Hokkaido.  Race meetings here are held only during summer. This racecourse was built in 1907 and the recent renova- tion works for the grandstand was completed in 2014. [Record attendance] 60,549(1976 Sapporo Kinen) [Major races] Sapporo Kinen(G2), Queen Stakes(G3), Elm Stakes(G3), Keeneland Cup(G3), Sapporo Nisai Stakes(G3)
Miho Training Center
area between Tokyo and Osaka, Chukyo Racecourse was opened in 1953. The recent renovation of both grandstand and track was completed in 2012. [Record attendance] 74,201(1996 Takamatsunomiya Hai) [Major races] Takamatsunomiya Kinen(G1),Champions Cup(G1),Tokai Stakes(G2), Kinko Sho(G2),Chukyo Kinen (G3),CBC Sho(G3), Aichi Hai(G3),Falcon Stakes(G3),Chuni- chi Shimbun Hai(G3), Procyon Stakes(G3)
Horseracing School
in 1933. A grand re-opening was held in 2007 after the completion of seven years renovation work for the grandstand named "Fuji View Stand". This race- course has become emblematic of JRA racecourses with multi-screen Turf Vision (width 66.4 meters, height 11.2 meters) which displays sharp, powerful images and a wealth of information on its three high-definition screens. [Record attendance] 196,517(1990 Tokyo Yushun) [Major races] Japan Cup(G1), Tokyo Yushun(Japanese Derby)(G1), Tenno Sho (Autumn)(G1), Yasuda Kinen(G1), Yushun Himba(Japanese Oaks)(G1), February Stakes(G1), NHK Mile Cup(G1), Victoria Mile(G1) Tokyo Racecourse as one of the feature racecourses in the capital area.  Its racing calendar is comparable with that of Tokyo, and these two racecourses hold race meetings alternately.  There are unique courses such as the X-line steeplechase courses, and both of the two J-G1 Jump races are held at this course. The Arima Kinen, also known as the Grand Prix, is the last big event in the year. The top ten horses,  on the vote of racing fans, have priority to enter the race. [Record attendance] 177,779(1990 Arima Kinen) [Major races] Arima Kinen(G1), Satsuki Sho(Japanese 2000 Guineas)(G1), Sprinters Stakes(G1), Hopeful Stakes(G1), Nakayama Grand Jump(J-G1), Nakayama Daishogai(J-G1) 9
Training Centers
to stay at one of these training centers for at least 10 days (15 days for the first time starters) prior to their scheduled start so that they can be evaluated by veterinarians, starters,  handicappers and the press. In general, horses running in a race are transported from respective training centers to the racecourse by horse van, and are returned to the training center after the race.  JRA race- courses have stables to accommodate the visiting horses.
Ritto Training Center
Opened in 1969 as Japan's first training center, Ritto Training Center has a variety of training facilities. There is an oval course of 2,200m (turf, dirt, woodchip and New Polytrack courses), an uphill course of 1,085m and a racehorse swimming pool. Ritto Training Center stables about 2,000 horses, and the number of residents (trainers, jockeys, stable staffs, etc.) is about 2,000.
Miho Training Center
Miho Training Center was opened in 1978. It has two oval train- ing tracks (1,800m and 2,000m) with various track surfaces (turf, dirt, woodchip and New Polytrack courses), an indoor swimming pool, a water treadmill, an uphill course of 1,200m, and a cross-country promenade course.  Miho Training Center stables about 2,000 horses, and the number of residents (train-
Racehorse Hospitals
Ritto and Miho Training Centers each has a racehorse hospital staffed by approximately 30 JRA veterinarians.  The major tasks for the racehorse hospital are: (1) to provide medical services through the latest technology and scientific evidence,  (2) to provide recent findings to trainers and their staff which will aid in racing injury prevention and health management,  (3) to provide sports science advice and consulting to improve fitness, (4) to operate anti-doping activities, and (5) to con- A farriery facility is also equipped with JRA farriers to promote horseshoeing research and to provide the latest technology to
Equine Research Institute
The Equine Research Institute (ERI) was established in 1959 under the name "Equine Health Laboratory" for the purposes of maintaining racehorse resources and preventing racehorse accidents to ensure the smooth operation of horseracing. "Equine Health Laboratory" has been enhanced its functions and changed its name as the Equine Research Institute in 1977. Since the establishment, the ERI, the only institute in Japan which specializes for equine, not only thoroughbred, related research, has researched wide variety fields including sports science, equine infectious diseases, feeding and training for over several decades. At present, the ERI consists of 1 section and 5 divisions.(i.e. General Affairs Section, Research Planning & Coordination Division, Sports Science Division, Clinical Veterinary Medicine Division, Microbiology Division and Molecular Biology Divi¬ sion) Also, the ERI has two branches: Rehabilitation Research Center (Joban Branch) and Equine Science Division at Hidaka Training & Research Center dealing with training and breeding research. The primary function of the Institute's Rehabilitation Research Center is to provide a rehabilitation facilities which include balneotherapy and physiotherapy.
Horseracing School
The JRA Horseracing School was established in Shiroi City, Chiba Prefecture in 1982, amidst the increasing international- ization of horseracing, with the aim of educating jockeys and stable staff with the knowledge and skills needed to be better horsemen. The current curriculum features a three-year pro¬ gram for jockeys, and a six-month program for stable em¬ ployees.  Prospective students are required to pass an entrance examination for enrollment in either program. After completion of the prerequisite program, the prospective jock¬ eys may take the jockey's license examination and the stable employees are eligible, with JRA approval, to be employed by trainers licensed by the JRA. The Horseracing School also serves as the quarantine facility designated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for horses trained outside of Japan competing in JRA races.
Equestrian Park
The JRA's Equestrian Park in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo was con¬ structed in 1940 to promote equestrian games and events and for the training of prospective jockeys.  Later, the Equestrian Park was privileged to host some of the equestrian events during TOKYO 1964 Olympic Games and TOKYO 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. After the JRA Horseracing School was established,  the Equestrian Park stands as one of the centers for equestrian events in Japan.  The park's equestrian facilities include an indoor riding hall to host major equestrian events throughout the year. The park also hosted a performance of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna in November 1991, and Le Cadre Noir de Saumur (the French National Equestrian The JRA owns two training  yards — Hidaka Training and Research Center (TRC) in Hokkaido and Miyazaki Yearling Train- ing Farm  in Miyazaki Prefecture — and conducts basic  training on about 80 yearlings purchased at various sales until the follow- ing spring when they are two years old. The JRA started breeding stock with about ten broodmares in Hidaka TRC in 2009.  The information, breeding and training data obtained during this period, as well as improved methods, are passed on broadly to breeders and training farms, and used to improve Japan's horse population. After the research in the basic training period, the horses are sold in training sales such as the JRA Breeze Up Sale, and then follow-up research is conducted on how they perform as racehorses and their injuries. As a horseracing organization, the JRA's comprehensive research system involving actual horses is unparalleled anywhere in the world. Hidaka TRC is open for public training.