The Fuji View Stand and Watching the Races on a Rainy Day

Tokyo Racecourse’s main grandstand, the Fuji View Stand (フジビュースタンド), got its name because Mt. Fuji can be seen from it on clear days with crisp air. That was one of the reasons given when the name was chosen from a public contest in 2007. And if the sky is grey instead, the racecourse is still a good rainy-day choice. Races usually go ahead in the rain, and there are indoor halls with big screens, indoor reserved seats and a free museum inside the grounds.

About the Fuji View Stand

JRA’s English site says Tokyo Racecourse was built in 1933 and had a grand opening in 2007, after seven years of renovation. The new main stand was named in February 2007. According to Radio NIKKEI’s report, the name was picked from 30,078 public entries for three reasons:

1. On clear days with crisp air, you can see Mt. Fuji from the stand.
2. “Fuji” suggests Japan’s number one.
3. Mt. Fuji is famous worldwide, so the name works for visitors from abroad too.

The stand faces the finish line. Its upper floors (5F and 6F) hold the A, B and C reserved seats, all outdoors.

Where to look for Mt. Fuji

Fuji sits far to the west-southwest of Fuchu, so you need a clear day with low haze. In the Tokyo area, the best chances are generally on dry winter mornings. Tokyo Racecourse races in winter during its January–February meeting.

Does racing go ahead in the rain?

Yes, usually. JRA’s English FAQ says:

• Racing is only called off if the forecast is for heavy snow or a typhoon. JRA decides on the morning of the race day.
• Cancelled races are moved to another day.
• In heavy rain, JRA may move a turf race to the dirt course to protect the turf.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency warnings and JRA’s own announcements are the things to check on the morning of a stormy day.

Where to watch indoors

JRA lists these indoor places to watch (as of October 2026):

Place	Where	What it is	Cost
West Hall (ウエストホール)	Fuji View Stand 2F	Air-conditioned indoor hall with a giant screen	Free with entry
Video hall (映像ホール)	Memorial 60 Stand B1	Large screens for watching racing	Free with entry
S reserved seats	Memorial 60 Stand 5F–6F	All-indoor seats behind glass, from the final corner to the start of the home straight. One monitor per two seats, power outlets	Reserved seat (online only)
Smart seats	Memorial 60 Stand 3F–4F	Indoor seats with side tables and drink holders	Reserved seat (online only)

The A, B and C reserved seats (Fuji View Stand 5F–6F), the Smart seats on Fuji View Stand 1F–4F and the outdoor group seats on Fuji View Stand 3F are outdoors. JRA says they can get wet, and there are no seat changes or refunds because of rain. If rain is forecast and you want a reserved seat, pick one in the Memorial 60 Stand.

Horse Preview (ホースプレビュー) on Fuji View Stand 1F lets you see horses and jockeys up close on their way to and from the track, on Tokyo race days.

Other things to do under a roof

• JRA Racing Museum. Free, near the East Gate, with exhibitions, a 4-D theater and simulators. On Tokyo race days you need the ¥200 racecourse entry. See our museum guide.
• Food courts. Fuji View Stand 1F and 2F and Memorial 60 B1. See eating at Tokyo Racecourse.
• Turfy Shop. JRA’s goods shop is on Fuji View Stand 2F and 3F and Memorial 60 Stand 2F.
• Convenience store. Fuji View Stand 3F.

The kids’ play areas in the infield and at Hiyoshigaoka are outdoors, so they are less useful on a wet day.

A rainy-day plan

Time	Plan
Morning	Arrive by the Main Gate overpass from Fuchu-Keiba-Seimon-mae (府中競馬正門前), the shortest walk.
Late morning	Paddock from under the stand, then the first races in the West Hall
Lunch	Food court before noon
Afternoon	The museum (a short walk to the East Gate side), then back for the main race around 15:30

For more rainy-day options in the area, see rainy day in Tokyo: indoor options in Tama.