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Aug 22 2023 12 Comments

Kyoto gamblers rather than geisha

Keirin, Japanese track cycling, is a sport that generates over a trillion yen of bets a year. A huge amount of money that along with the Olympic variant conjures up images of a rather glamorous pastime. Even more so when the traditional location of Kyoto is added to the mix.

The reality, however, is different, as just like many tracks up and down the country, the Kyoto velodrome is wonderfully dated. A place stuck in a past when attendances were much larger, with many of the booths where people once bought tickets now shuttered up or covered with curtains.

Not that efforts aren’t made to entice new fans, and the likes of the decidedly grim playground in the photos below are part of an attempt to attract young families. Plus on the day we were there, there was the unexpected appearance of an idol group. Performers who brought in a very different crowd as well as providing quite a contrast to the surroundings.

A combination that all added up to a good day out. One that, as always, would have only been better if it had also involved a win.

Kyoto bicycle racing

Kyoto bicycle racing

Kyoto bicycle racing

Kyoto bicycle racing

Kyoto bicycle racing

Kyoto bicycle racing

Kyoto bicycle racing

Kyoto bicycle racing

Kyoto bicycle racing

Kyoto bicycle racing

Kyoto bicycle racing

Kyoto bicycle racing

Kyoto bicycle racing

Kyoto bicycle racing

Kyoto bicycle racing

Kyoto bicycle racing

Kyoto bicycle racing

Categorized: Photography

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. john says

    8/22/2023 at 10:32 am

    Having scanned the photos first, I thought I was imagining things!

    I’m glad the rabbit made an appearance. The lion looks a bit upset with the idol group. I think it wanted to be the mane attraction.

    As opposed to the idol group, there looks to be some serious work going on with the more solitary keirin fans.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      8/22/2023 at 9:25 pm

      Yeah, the betting is a very serious business. Always amazed me how solitary a lot of it is considering everyone there is of a similar age and with the same interest.

      Haha, its days of being the mane (or indeed any) attraction are most definitely long gone.

      Reply
  2. Denise says

    8/22/2023 at 11:49 am

    Oh my those playground animals……. 😮

    Reply
    • Lee says

      8/22/2023 at 9:26 pm

      Yeah, they are quite something to sat the least.

      Reply
  3. Sean says

    8/22/2023 at 3:38 pm

    Very cool set. I think gamblers are the same everywhere in the world but the guy in the hat has some style.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      8/22/2023 at 9:35 pm

      Thank you. Yeah, that’s very true, they really are. And I couldn’t agree more. He’s quite the dresser.

      Reply
  4. cdilla says

    8/23/2023 at 3:55 am

    You can’t say you didn’t come away with a win when your camera was stuffed with such an excellent array of images!
    Never seen an anteater in a playground before.
    And oh my, I feel sorry for the idol group. They definitely need a new agent.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      8/23/2023 at 5:38 pm

      Ah, thank you. That’s very kind. Those concrete Japanese playground animals really are something. Objects I never tire of seeing. And yeah, playing at a place like this is far from the glamour they probably hoped for.

      Reply
  5. john says

    8/23/2023 at 5:34 am

    Tokyo Tantemanger?
    Idol Group: Two seem to be self censoring and one can’t bare to look?

    Reply
    • Lee says

      8/23/2023 at 5:44 pm

      They were definitely an unexpected sight that’s for sure. Give them their due though, as despite the less than glamorous surroundings (right next to the playground), they gave it their best shot in front of a small group of hardcore followers.

      Reply
  6. Rob says

    8/23/2023 at 4:58 pm

    As ever, another lovely set of photographs.

    I wonder if the elephant is looking for another from it’s herd – https://youtu.be/cWz2jPkI9uY?t=820

    Reply
    • Lee says

      8/23/2023 at 5:46 pm

      Thank you very much. Haha, quite possibly. Poor things are scattered all over the country.

      Reply

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