Japanese
Exciting
Sport

Get a splash on
the action

ABOUT

About
Boat Race

Bold, quick decisions propel Boat Race to claim its spot as the most exciting motorsport in Japan. Six racers compete at a time, but anyone can get in on the action with publicly managed sports betting. Go for the thrill and get a taste of real-life Japanese culture with a motorsport that got its start here.

Background Info

Boat Race may look sleek and modern, but it’s got over 70 years of history. Take a dive into how this motorsport got to where it is today.

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YM-730 Type Boat

All of the boats in Boat Race are hydroplanes made of wood.

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Basic Rules

Every day of Boat Race has twelve different rounds of races. That’s plenty to get to know how this motorsport works, but get a head start with our guides!

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GUIDE
GUIDE

Your Guide to
Boat Race

Boat Race is where people go to have fun—it’s a leisure activity through and through, whether you’re there to root for your favorite racer, place a bet, or snack on the local eats while traveling across the country.

Boat Race fits in with your sightseeing plans and is a hit with adults and children, visitors and locals alike!

Plan Your Visit

We're glad to see you stop by! What brings you to Boat Race? The thrum and whirr of motorsports, the thrill of betting, the satisfaction of new foods to try and sights to see? Look here for everything you need to plan your day.

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How to Bet

Out of six racers in each round, who’s going to win? There’s more to this game than only picking who’s first! There’s a fun variety of ways to a place a bet, and since bets start at only 100 yen, even beginners can enjoy getting in on it.

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Meet
Our Racers

There are about 1,600 active racers in Boat Race, including about 250 women. Many racers start young, but Boat Race is the kind of sport that has active racers many decades into their careers. Check out the profiles of our racers and see who might be your next hero.

Shigeru
Matsui

The uncontested king and legend of Boat Race, with lifetime prize money of over 4 billion yen. That sure must help with romantic gestures, like that time he bought a whole flower shop for his wife.

Date of birth
1969/11/11
Height
168 cm
Weight
50 kg
Home chapter
Osaka

Itsuko
Hidaka

A passionate, talented veteran of the sport known for supporting up and coming Boat Racers. She's been lauded as "the great mother on the water."

Date of birth
1961/10/07
Height
154 cm
Weight
45 kg
Home chapter
Fukuoka

Nami
Nishihashi

A young star on the rise. In addition to being a well-rounded racer, she has well-rounded interests, what with her love of history and background in Japanese archery.

Date of birth
1996/07/19
Height
156 cm
Weight
47 kg
Home chapter
Fukui

Ryuta
Mine

A very popular racer. Even when he’s not out there being a star for his racing ability, you’ll still find him on the water—surfing is his favorite hobby.

Date of birth
1985/03/30
Height
173 cm
Weight
51 kg
Home chapter
Saga

Yuuki
Sadamatsu

An SG (Special Grade) champion born in the 21st century. That means he's as quick in his career as he is on a boat!

Date of birth
2001/05/02
Height
168 cm
Weight
52 kg
Home chapter
Saga

Arisa
Hamada

The winner of the 2023 Queen's Climax, a grand prix held for women alongside their regular Boat Race events. She's married to a fellow Boat Racer, too.

Date of birth
1988/03/19
Height
163 cm
Weight
48 kg
Home chapter
Saitama
Locations

Locations
&
Schedule

With 24 racetracks across the country and 12 rounds of racing in a day, you won’t miss out on seeing Japan’s most exciting motorsport.

Find which spot will be the best fit for your trip to Japan with venue info, monthly schedules, and guides for how to get there. Get the heads up on special events, too!

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