Keirin Hotel 10: Where Japanese Cycling Culture Meets Seaside Hospitality

Asia Daily
By Asia Daily
7 Min Read

Japan’s First Stadium-Integrated Hotel: A New Chapter for Tamano

On the misty shores of the Seto Inland Sea, in the coastal town of Tamano, a bold experiment in hospitality and sports culture is unfolding. Keirin Hotel 10, opened in 2022, is Japan’s first hotel built directly into a sports stadium—the Tamano Keirin velodrome. Here, guests don’t just watch the action; they live it, with rooms overlooking the banked cycling track and the sea beyond. This innovative concept is redefining both the hotel and sporting experience, drawing cycling enthusiasts, curious travelers, and locals alike to a unique destination that celebrates Japanese keirin racing and the spirit of Setouchi.

What Is Keirin? Understanding Japan’s High-Speed Cycling Phenomenon

To appreciate Keirin Hotel 10, it helps to understand the sport at its heart. Keirin, which means “racing wheels” in Japanese, is a form of track cycling that originated in Japan in 1948. Unlike traditional cycling races, keirin is as much about strategy and psychology as it is about speed. Riders follow a pacing motorcycle for the first part of the race, then sprint furiously for the finish once the pacer pulls away. Races are often decided in the final seconds, with speeds reaching up to 70 kilometers per hour on steeply banked tracks.

Keirin is also a major betting sport in Japan, regulated by the government and drawing millions in wagers each year. The sport’s unique blend of athleticism, tactics, and gambling has made it a cultural phenomenon, with dedicated velodromes and a loyal fanbase across the country.

Keirin Hotel 10: A Vision Realized

Keirin Hotel 10 is the brainchild of Onko Chishin, a hospitality group known for blending tradition with innovation. The hotel’s integration with the Tamano Keirin velodrome is more than a gimmick—it’s a thoughtfully executed experience that immerses guests in the world of competitive cycling. Most rooms feature private balconies with direct views of the track, allowing guests to watch races from the comfort of their own space. Some rooms even repurpose real athlete locker rooms, giving visitors a taste of the competitors’ world.

The hotel’s design pays homage to its sporting roots. Interiors are decorated with cycling motifs, and recycled materials from the old stadium have been incorporated throughout, preserving over 70 years of local history. The result is a space that feels both modern and deeply connected to Tamano’s past.

More Than Just a Place to Stay

Keirin Hotel 10 offers a range of amenities that cater to both cycling fans and casual travelers. The hotel features a gallery dedicated to the history and culture of keirin, a shop selling original merchandise, and public baths with saunas for relaxation after a day of excitement. The on-site restaurant, FORQ, is a highlight in itself, serving creative dishes made with local ingredients and offering panoramic views of the track and sea.

Guests can also take advantage of the hotel’s proximity to Uno Port, making it an ideal base for exploring the Seto Inland Sea and nearby art islands like Naoshima and Teshima. For those seeking adventure, the hotel provides cycling and cruising activities, blending relaxation with exploration.

Inside the Guest Experience: Comfort, Cuisine, and Community

Reviews from guests and travel writers alike praise Keirin Hotel 10 for its comfortable accommodations and unique atmosphere. Rooms are equipped with modern amenities—air conditioning, private bathrooms, refrigerators, and free WiFi—while offering sea or mountain views. The hotel’s family-friendly approach is evident in its welcoming staff and thoughtful touches, such as mineral water and towel rentals for sauna users.

Dining at FORQ: Local Flavors with a View

FORQ, the hotel’s restaurant, is open to both guests and the public, making it a popular spot for locals as well. The menu showcases the bounty of Okayama Prefecture and the Seto Inland Sea, with dishes ranging from seafood rice bowls and shrimp omelet rice to bar-style plates that pair well with craft beer and Setouchi Lemon Sour. The restaurant’s open-air design and floor-to-ceiling windows provide a front-row seat to the races, creating a lively and communal dining experience.

Breakfast at FORQ is equally celebrated, offering American, buffet, and Asian options with fresh pastries, fruits, and local specialties. Whether starting the day with a hearty meal or winding down with a drink as cyclists speed by, guests find themselves immersed in the rhythms of Tamano life.

Relaxation and Wellness: Sauna Culture by the Sea

Keirin Hotel 10 has embraced Japan’s growing sauna culture, opening its large public bath and dry sauna facilities to both guests and day visitors during select periods. The experience is designed to rejuvenate body and mind, with post-sauna meals at FORQ completing the ritual. The hotel provides all necessary amenities, including towels and mineral water, ensuring a seamless and relaxing visit. The sauna’s popularity reflects a broader trend in Japan, where wellness and socializing often go hand in hand.

Living the Race: The Thrill of Keirin from Your Balcony

Perhaps the most distinctive feature of Keirin Hotel 10 is the ability to watch live keirin races from your own room. On race days, the atmosphere is electric as nine cyclists in brightly colored Lycra line up on the track, their rear wheels held in starting blocks. The anticipation builds until the starting pistol fires, sending the riders hurtling around the 30-degree banked course. Even in adverse weather, the show goes on—according to Eiji Kosaka, the hotel’s reception manager, “Nothing short of a major typhoon will make them cancel a race.”

“Nothing short of a major typhoon will make them cancel a race.”

For guests, this proximity to the action is both thrilling and surreal. As one visitor shared on social media, “Stayed at a hotel in Japan with its own bike course. Woke up to these guys doing laps.” The experience blurs the line between spectator and participant, making every stay memorable.

Beyond the Track: Exploring Tamano and the Seto Inland Sea

While the keirin races are the main attraction, Keirin Hotel 10’s location offers much more. Tamano is a gateway to the Seto Inland Sea, renowned for its scenic beauty, art islands, and maritime culture. Uno Port, just a short walk from the hotel, provides ferry access to Naoshima and Teshima—destinations famous for contemporary art museums, outdoor installations, and tranquil island life.

The hotel encourages guests to explore the region by bicycle, taking advantage of the area’s gentle terrain and picturesque views. Whether cruising along the coast or venturing to nearby shrines and temples, visitors can experience the slower pace and natural charm of Setouchi.

Community Impact and Cultural Revival

Keirin Hotel 10 is more than a novelty; it represents a new model for regional revitalization in Japan. By integrating hospitality with local sports and culture, the hotel has become a hub for both tourism and community engagement. Local residents frequent the restaurant and public baths, while cycling fans from across Japan and abroad are drawn to Tamano for its unique offering.

The hotel’s use of recycled materials from the old stadium is a nod to sustainability and heritage preservation. By breathing new life into a historic site, Keirin Hotel 10 honors Tamano’s past while looking to the future.

In Summary

  • Keirin Hotel 10 in Tamano, Okayama Prefecture, is Japan’s first hotel integrated with a cycling stadium, offering rooms with direct views of the keirin track and the Seto Inland Sea.
  • The hotel celebrates Japanese keirin racing, a high-speed, strategic sport that is both a cultural phenomenon and a major betting event.
  • Guests enjoy modern amenities, a cycling-themed design, and unique experiences such as watching live races from their balconies and staying in repurposed athlete locker rooms.
  • The on-site restaurant, FORQ, serves creative local cuisine and is open to both guests and the public, enhancing community ties.
  • Public baths and saunas, open to day visitors during select periods, reflect Japan’s wellness culture and offer relaxation with a view.
  • Keirin Hotel 10 serves as a base for exploring Tamano, Uno Port, and the art islands of the Seto Inland Sea, blending sports, culture, and adventure.
  • The hotel’s innovative model supports regional revitalization, sustainability, and the preservation of local heritage.
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