When is Keirin Origin Day?

Keirin Origin Day is observed every year on November 20.

When was Keirin Origin Day established?

Keirin Origin Day was established in 2023.

What other anniversaries fall on November 20?

November 20 is also "Universal Children's Day", "Pizza Day (Piza no Hi)", "Industrial Education Day". See the November 20 page for details.

November 20

Keirin Origin Day

Q: What is Keirin Origin Day?

Keirin Origin Day is an annual observance in Japan, held every year on November 20. What Is Keirin Origin Day? November 20th is "Keirin Origin Day" in Japan. On November 20, 1948, keirin, a sport born in

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What Is Keirin Origin Day?

November 20th is "Keirin Origin Day" in Japan. On November 20, 1948, keirin, a sport born in Japan, was held for the first time as a publicly managed race at Kokura Velodrome in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture. The day was established by the JKA, the public interest foundation that oversees keirin and auto racing, and was certified by the Japan Anniversary Association in 2023.

Keirin Began in Kokura, Kitakyushu

Keirin is a cycling sport that originated in Kitakyushu. It is also the only one of Japan's publicly managed race sports that is an Olympic event, written "KEIRIN" in the Latin alphabet. The day aims to help more people love keirin and to let them know that its proceeds have long supported the machinery industry and social welfare.

Origin: the first keirin races were held at Kokura Velodrome on November 20, 1948
Established by: the JKA; certified by the Japan Anniversary Association in 2023
Olympic sport: the only publicly managed race sport in Japan that is also an Olympic event
Use of proceeds: supports host municipalities' finances as well as public-interest projects such as the machinery industry and sports
Girls' Keirin: races by women, known as "Girls' Keirin," have been held since July 2012

One of Japan's Largest Pools of Pro Athletes

Keirin is said to have the largest number of athletes of any professional sport in Japan, with about 2,400 riders, of whom about 200 are registered for Girls' Keirin. In fact, women's keirin was also held in the early years, until 1964. As a related day, October 29th is "Auto Race Origin Day," also established by the JKA.

Tips for Marking This Day

Learn about the history of keirin
Watch footage of the Olympic keirin event
Ride your bicycle to work or on your day off, and check it for safety
Look into how the proceeds of public racing are returned to society

A Sport Born in Japan Becomes the World's KEIRIN

Keirin, which began in Kitakyushu, is now known worldwide as the Olympic event "KEIRIN." November 20th is a day to look back on the story of this Japanese-born sport and enjoy the appeal of cycling.