Plan Your Visit
How to Visit a Boat Race Stadium
The facilities may vary at different racetracks, so please see the location pages for the details. This page provides some basic info that will help you feel more at ease visiting any Boat Race stadium.
Just stop by!
There are 24 racetracks across Japan, and a lot of them are close to popular tourist spots. Check the location-based schedule to see what races are going on during your stay in Japan.
You can also enter a stadium on days that no races are taking place simply to enjoy the atmosphere.
Entry is simple
- no reservation needed
There is no need to make a reservation or buy a ticket beforehand. Upon arriving at the Boat Race stadium, simply insert a 100-yen coin into the slot on the facility gate.
Admission is free on days when only off-stadium betting tickets are sold (no race is held at the race stadium you visit, and betting tickets for races to be held in other stadiums are sold).
What to wear?
Casual clothing is perfectly fine! There are no dress codes, so you can wear whatever is comfortable.
How's the weather?
Rain or shine, the races will be performed as scheduled so you can enjoy the full experience in any weather.
What to bring?
There is nothing special that you have to bring to the stadium, but if you happen to have some binoculars, you might find them useful.
What time of the day should I go?
There are four different times for races to be held, and the schedule depends on which Boat Race stadium you visit. Among these times, daytime races are typically held from around 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Check the schedule and see if the race you are interested in belongs to any of these four time categories.
-
Morning
Races in which the first race starts before approximately 10:00 a.m.
In some cases, the exhibition begins around 8:30 a.m. -
Summer time
Races in which the cut-off time for sales of the last race is extended from 4:50 p.m. to sunset.
Mainly held during the summer months, when daylight hours are long. -
Night
Races in which the first race starts around 2:30 p.m.
All 12 races will be completed around 9:00 p.m. -
Midnight
Races in which the first race starts around 5:00 p.m. The last race ends around 9:30 to 10:00 p.m.
Races after 5:00 p.m. are held without spectators.
Entering the Facility
The look of the facility may vary, but there will be entry gates that look similar to what you see at Japanese train stations. Put a 100 yen coin inside the slot of the gate, and just like that, you are free to enter the stadium. Admission is free on days when only off-stadium betting tickets are sold (meaning there is no race to watch in person at that racetrack that day, but you can still place bets on races being held at other racetracks).
Besides paying for the facility fee, it's best to carry some cash with you, as there may be instances when you won't be able to use a credit card for purchases made inside the stadium.
Once you're inside, you might notice that it's a pretty big place! If you aren't sure where to go, please visit the information desk. They will tell you not only where things are located throughout the facility, but they can also suggest some delicious options for lunch.
Enjoying the Race
An exciting motorsport for everyone!
The speed of these motorboats is approximately 80 km/h, but the racer's perceived speed is about 120 km/h. Experience this thrilling race up close where you can feel the thrum and whirr of the engines!
Any first time visitor can simply enjoy the atmosphere, sounds, and view of the colorful boats as they speed through the water. However, for motorsport fans and those hungry for more information, we have a bunch of info that will help you explore all the layers of Boat Race events.
FIRST TIME AT THE RACES?
Watch this video and learn more about how to enjoy your time at Boat Race!
More To See & Do
Motorsport that
anyone can enjoy!
Boat Race stadiums also host other fun events besides the races! On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, you can watch pop idol performances, comedy shows, and hero shows for kids. Sometimes there are even bingo tournaments!
These facilities are where local people go for leisure, so it's a taste of real-life Japanese culture in action. You can stick around and enjoy yourself all day long, all for the same low entry fee of only 100 yen.
Souvenirs
T-shirts, magnets, key chains, plush toys, and much more!
After watching Boat Race, you can find a souvenir or two to take home a piece of your adventure. Even if you can't make it to a Boat Race stadium this time around, there are Boat Race-related items in antenna stores in Okinawa, Sapporo, or wherever else your travels take you across Japan!
Japanese Cuisine
Between watching the races, you're bound to get hungry, and that's a good thing! Boat Race stadiums scattered throughout Japan are great places to try out some local eats.
There are restaurants and shops on the premises that are proud to offer local foods unique to different regions of Japan. Be sure to check out the local specialties and so-called "B-class gourmet food," which is cheap but classic comfort food. There are also standard menus such as curry and ramen, so everyone's stomach will be satisfied.
Sightseeing
Visiting different Boat Race locations means getting in touch with the things you came to Japan to experience. Breathtaking views, novelty, and a splash of Japanese popular culture away from all the foreign tourists.
Giant Lucky Cat (Boat Race Tokoname, Chubu Area)
Myokenzaki Lighthouse (Boat Race Wakamatsu, Kyushu Area)
Shiga Prefecture's Lake Biwa (Boat Race Lake Biwa, Kinki Area)
Wakamatsu Ohashi Bridge (Boat Race Wakamatsu, Kyushu Area)
Lake Biwa at night (Boat Race Lake Biwa, Kinki Area)
Sunset at Omura Bay (Boat Race Omura, Kyushu Area)
