The National Association of Racing ( Chiho Keiba Zenkoku Kyokai, or NAR) is the authority for horse races operated by local governments in Japan (Prefectures, cities/towns/villages or unions of them). NAR itself does not operate horse races.
By contrast, Japan Racing Association is a public company established in Japan under a law to operate Chà «à  Keiba (ä¸Â央競馬 Central horse racing) and to manage racecourses, and horse-training facilities in the country.
In Japan, horse races operated by local governments are called chiho keiba ().
Here is the list of racetracks holding races operated by local governments (as of July 2019). All are oval flat dirt tracks except Obihiro (ban'ei) and Morioka (dirt outside and turf inside). Only four are left-handed (counter-clockwise), the others are right-handed (clockwise).
The following courses now hold only Japan Racing Association (JRA) races.