Kurashiki City, Kojima faces the calm Seto Inland Sea.
In Kojima, there is a boat racing facility that utilizes the sea.
It is a vast boat racing facility located at the foot of Washuzan Hill, but have you ever been there?
The author is from Kurashiki City and has passed by Boat Race Kojima many times, but has never set foot inside the facility.
I thought it was a place unrelated to me since I have never gambled.
For the author, an opportunity to step into the previously uncharted territory of Boat Race Kojima has arrived.
I was told, "There is little information about the facility on the internet, making it hard to visit. First, I want everyone to know about it."
The person I spoke with was actually from the city hall!
Yes, this is one of the workplaces of the city hall.
I went to interview the facility, filled with excitement about all the things I didn't know.
Photography is allowed inside the facility as long as other customers are not in the frame. Permission is required to photograph the water surface.
About the Boat Racing Facility
There are 24 boat racing facilities across the country.
Boat racing is a public competition where six boats compete to reach the finish line.
While it is common nationwide to run a total of 1,800 meters over three laps from the start, the shapes of the racing facilities differ.
As a result, the angles of the turns change, so adjustments are necessary for each racing facility.
Since the racing facilities differ, the water conditions also vary, whether it is by partitioning a part of the sea or lake or creating a dedicated pool.
In the case of the sea, the tides must also be considered when racing.
Boat Race Kojima utilizes the sea.
Since it is part of the Seto Inland Sea, the water surface is relatively calm, but the racing strategies change between high tide and low tide.
Facilities of Boat Race Kojima
Boat Race Kojima, with its vast grounds and large buildings, is under the jurisdiction of Kurashiki City.
The parking lot can accommodate 2,500 vehicles, and the spectator stand has about 7,000 seats.
Due to measures against the spread of COVID-19, the number of seats has been reduced, so the actual number of seats is less.
I wonder what is inside the building.
Let me introduce it to you.
Free Bus
Boat Race Kojima operates a free bus service on race days.
There are seven routes, with the farthest being the Fukuyama route.
This system allows visitors to come even without a car.
▼ Seven Routes
- Kojima Station Route
- Kurashiki Station Route (via Shioi)
- Kurashiki Station Route (via Amagi)
- Sōja Route
- Tenmaya Route
- Fukuyama Route
- Kankō Station (via Shin-Kurashiki Station) Route
Entrance Gate
To head to the boat racing facility, you first pass through the entrance gate.
Just like inserting a ticket at the station's ticket gate, you insert a 100 yen coin to enter.
If you don't have a 100 yen coin, don't worry, there is a change machine.
Information
Right next to the entrance gate is the information desk.
On the opposite side of the information counter is the merchandise shop.
They sell color goods of the six boats and Ga~Co goods.
They can teach you how to buy boat tickets and provide guidance within the facility.
In the back, there is a "BOAT RACE Splash Battle VR" where you can experience boat racing.
Shop
There are three shops, located at the entrance, the middle, and the back on the third floor.
They have long-selling snacks lined up, and the prices are handwritten.
It felt like being in a traditional candy store.
Cafeteria
There are five cafeterias.
Some shops offer takeout, so it might be nice to eat at the spectator seats with a good view.
There are three standing-style shops where you can eat quickly in a short time.
Including set meals, the prices are affordable, like a student cafeteria.
For example, the cold udon at the cafeteria "Cattleya" is 350 yen (tax included), and the beef bowl is 550 yen (tax included).
Salvia closed on October 21, 2022, and Daffodil closed on December 13, 2022.
General Seating
There is general seating on the first and third floors.
The first floor is outdoor, and the third floor is indoor.
The outdoor area has a pleasant sea breeze even in summer and is shaded, making it comfortable.
It is set up very close to the racecourse, allowing you to watch the fierce battles up close.
Reserved Seating
The fourth floor is for reserved seating only.
It costs 1,000 yen, which includes a prediction paper and a 500 yen ticket for the cafeteria.
The prediction paper is a newspaper for boat race predictions, containing data not listed on the race entry sheet.
There are also group seats available, allowing for a comfortable experience.
You can enjoy watching the races leisurely from above, feeling luxurious.
Royal Room
The Royal Room is a luxurious viewing area for paid members.
It differs from general seating in that it has a dedicated parking lot, monitor-equipped seats, and drink service.
There are also sofa seats, making it a relaxing space.
Located on the fifth floor, the view is exceptional.
▼ A photo of a race boat and a boat running in the Seto Inland Sea side by side.
Kojima Ga~Copia
Separate from the stand building, there is a facility called "Kojima Ga~Copia" where you can purchase tickets for boat races from all over the country, not just Boat Race Kojima.
No admission fee is required, and it is a facility that handles races from boat race courses nationwide.
Ways to Enjoy Beyond Boat Racing
It may be surprising to those who have never been to a boat race course, but there is no rule that you must gamble upon entry.
Whether to gamble or not is up to you.
In other words, there are ways to enjoy the facility beyond just boat racing.
VR Experience
Inside the information center, there is a free experience called "BOAT RACE Splash Battle VR."
VR (Virtual Reality) means virtual reality, and when you wear the goggles, you can see 360-degree three-dimensional images that are close to reality.
Since I was there, I decided to try it out.
It is designed to be very close to an actual boat, and you operate the steering while sitting in a formal position like the racers.
It's a shame I can't deliver the experience through video, but it was a immersive experience that felt like I was actually on the sea.
I couldn't turn well at all, and I was racing while shouting "Wow!"
It was so realistic that I felt a bit seasick.
At the same time, you can experience what it's like to be a racer and understand the difficulty of operation.
Operating on the water must be even more challenging, so it seems that continuous effort and experience are necessary to participate in the races.
Kids Space
There are spaces for children to play both indoors and outdoors.
▼ The outdoor "Ga~Co Land" features a slide decorated with the mascot character Ga~Co.
▼ During a limited period (from July 20, 2022, to September 4, 2022), a bouldering wall was set up, and children were happily climbing the wall.
Children's events are also held during summer and winter vacations and during long holidays.
There are also very valuable sports classes where you can learn from former J-League players and Olympic athletes.
It seems there were also events featuring working vehicles and dinosaurs.
Gourmet
There are places offering Okayama's specialty, demi-katsu don, and bara-zushi, as well as noodle dishes using local ingredients.
The five cafeterias each have different menus.
If you're unsure where to go, check the gourmet list posted at the information desk or bulletin board.
There are features of the shops and recommended menus, making it convenient for choosing a restaurant.
View
The beautiful view of the Seto Inland Sea visible from inside the venue is a must-see.
The scenery of passing boats, the calm sea, and the small islands is soothing just to look at.
If you want to enjoy the scenery, outdoor seating is recommended.
Why not sit back and relax while feeling the sea breeze?
▼The view from the designated seats on the 4th floor was also magnificent.
Retro Search
The older parts of the facility were built in 1979, giving it a Showa retro feel.
There may be individual differences, but retro lovers might find it exciting.
▼Memo pad with a snail illustration.
▼Is it safe to say this is a retro color? This is the first time I've seen a guide sign in this color.
For a retro lover like me, everything I see is fresh and exciting.
The voting booths, which are no longer in use due to mechanization, are also retro.
In the past, there were people behind the counter handling boat tickets.
A cute telephone box at the entrance to the Royal Room on the 5th floor.
Looking inside, there was no public phone.
Upon closer inspection, the glass had the words "For mobile phones only".
The door opens, so you can make a call inside, but it might take a bit of courage to use it.
In fact, the stand building is going to be rebuilt and renovated, so it's best to find these retro points while you can.
The facility is said to be reborn in the 8th year of Reiwa.
Boat Race Kojima, a city facility.
When I visited, I found that there were attractions beyond just boat racing on the vast grounds.
I spoke with Yuko Yokota and Wakiko Ono, staff members working at the unique Boat Race Kojima within the Kurashiki City government.
Data on Boat Race Kojima
| Name | Boat Race Kojima |
|---|---|
| Location | 6-3 Motohama-cho, Kojima, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-472-5051 |
| Parking | Available |
| Opening Hours | 9:45 AM - 5:00 PM *Hours may vary depending on race times |
| Closed | Irregular holidays Closed on days when races are not held |
| Admission Fee (tax included) | 100 yen per person |
| Payment Method |
|
| Smoking | Non-smoking (smoking allowed only in designated areas) |
| Restrooms | Western-style toilets, Japanese-style toilets, barrier-free toilets |
| Childcare | Nursing room, diaper changing station, stroller rental |
| Barrier-free | Ramps, barrier-free toilets, elevators, wheelchair rental Designated seats available for wheelchair users |
| Website | Boat Race Kojima |
