Tokyo City Keiba, Tokyo, Japan

Lighting Design:  Reiko Chikada Lighting Design Inc.

For most Japanese horseracing has traditionally been an unrefined, gamblers pastime dominated by men with dreams of riding the long shot to a big pay day. That preconception has tended to prevent horse tracks from expanding their clientele base with women especially dissuaded from visiting the racetrack.

Tokyo City Keiba is hoping to change all that.

Changing horse racing’s image  
Tokyo City Keiba is a horseracing track located in Ooi, Tokyo, one of four built in the 1950s in central Japan that, through a series of initiatives, began to change the image of the sport. Since its opening, Tokyo City Keiba has entertained an untold number of fans and, since 1986, has made a great success of its night time Twinkle Race.

With the help of Martin color changing projection, Tokyo City Keiba is continuing to change the horse track’s entertainment concept. In 2003, a new entertainment facility called L-Wing was opened with restaurants, indoor gardens and color projection from Martin Architectural Exterior luminaries enriching the gamblers’ visit. One result has been that women are now starting to visit the racetrack to enjoy the pleasing atmosphere.

Horse of a different color
At dusk L-Wing delights the crowd with color changing projection, and during the Twinkle Race L-Wing paints the paddock in soft shades projected by several Exterior lights. Delicate colors, kept discrete in order not to disturb the horses and the race itself, are projected across the area. The view through the paddock is reportedly spectacular. 

After the main lighting scheme ends, shorter “light shows” are held every 40 minutes until all visitors have exited the track. Lighting design was completed by Reiko Chikada Lighting Design Inc.

Eight Exterior 600 color changers are installed on each fan of the L-Wing roof with another six located on the side of the building displaying soft graduated colors that match the structure’s design perfectly. Additionally, three Exterior 200 luminaries are installed on the third floor terrace. The Martin fixtures were supplied by Martin Professional Japan Ltd.

Today, visitors to Tokyo City Keiba can enjoy more than just a thrilling horse race. A dynamic illumination scheme has added an extra element that has made visiting the racetrack popular among a much broader clientele.