Ban'ei Tokachi (Obihiro Racecourse)
ばんえい十勝・帯広競馬場
The only draft horse racing in the world, where heavyweight horses weighing about a tonne pull hundreds of kilograms of iron sledge up a 200-meter course with two earthen slopes, a thrilling spectacle.
Ban’ei horse racing (ばんえい競馬) originated from the log-hauling contests of the Hokkaido pioneering era. Today it is held only at Obihiro Racecourse in the entire world, and it is designated a “Hokkaido Heritage.” The competing draft horses weigh about one tonne. They pull iron sledges weighing several hundred kilograms up to a tonne through a 200-meter course with two slopes. Spectators can follow the horses on foot, cheering them on. Admission is about 100 yen. Race days are generally Saturday through Monday, and the night races under the lights are especially lively. The venue has a horse information museum and the “Tokachi Village” food stalls. It is about a 5-minute drive from Obihiro Station.
Opening hours
Match days approx. 14:00–21:00
Nearby sights
- Midorigaoka Park & Obihiro Zoo
- Rokkatei Obihiro Main Store
- Butadon Pancho
- Kita no Yatai
- Manabe Garden
- Tokachi Hills
- Aikoku Station
- Tokachigawa Onsen