Kojima Boat Race - A facility where you can enjoy the beauty of the Seto Inland Sea, which changes your perception when you visit.

Interview with Yokota Yuko and Ono Wakiko

The blue sea spreads out in front of Boat Race Kojima.

Occasionally, the commentary of the races can be heard, making it a unique workplace both in terms of job content and environment.

We spoke with city employees working at Boat Race Kojima: Yokota Yuko from the Event Management Division and Ono Wakiko from the Management Division.

Job Description

Work of the Management Division

Please tell us about your job responsibilities, Ono.

Ono (honorifics omitted)

I belong to the Management Division, specifically the Management Planning Section.

My main responsibilities involve budgeting and accounting, handling internal financial matters.

In terms of unique tasks, I would say it involves dealing with guests.

Sometimes we invite guests, and other times they come for inspections.

Basically, I guide them around the venue, but recently, there was an unusual request for an inspection of "Kojima Jeans Street," and I had the opportunity to attend to that.

The work of the Facility Management Section, which is another section, involves the maintenance and management of buildings and equipment.

They are responsible for repairs, inspections, and upcoming facility renovations, and there are many specialists in that area.

The site is large, and some employees use bicycles to get around.

Even though I basically stay in the office, I still walk about 3,000 steps.

What seems like a "short distance" can actually be quite far.

Yokota (honorifics omitted)

When I don't leave the office, I walk about 1,000 steps, usually around 3,000 steps, and during events, I walk about 10,000 steps (laughs).

Work of the Event Management Division

Please tell us about your job responsibilities, Yokota.

Yokota

I work in the Fan Service Section.

We are engaged in fan service to attract new fans, including long-time boat racing fans and those who have recently developed an interest in boat racing.

Public relations, preparing gifts for visitors, and organizing events to encourage attendance are our main tasks.

The staff and related businesses like JLC come up with ideas to provide services for our visitors.

The gifts are sourced from companies in Kurashiki, featuring unique products from the area.

Takada Orimono's tatami edging coasters and masking tape from KAMOI KAKOSHI CO., LTD. are examples.

In terms of public relations, we are creating programs and videos in collaboration with Kurashiki Cable Television.

We also create the race information sheets, which is part of our responsibilities in the Fan Service Section.

Ono

The Event Management Division, where Yokota works, mainly interacts with external parties, so they are rarely at their desks.

Our division handles phone inquiries on their behalf, but we sometimes get questions about matters that fall under the Event Management Division's responsibilities, which can be stressful.

The Event Management Division is directly involved with the races themselves.

They are also responsible for security within the venue.

Yokota

The atmosphere at our workplace is really nice.

Everyone is interesting, kind, and hardworking.

My boss is also a great person who praises us multiple times a day.

When I propose something, they say, "That's great! Let's try it."

I want to change the image of the boat race venue

Before visiting Boat Race Kojima, I had a negative image of it. However, upon visiting, I was surprised by the open space and the beautiful sea.

Yokota

Honestly, boat racing does not have a very good impression among the public.

I had never even entered the facility until I was assigned here.

But once I came, I found it to be clean, spacious, and above all, the sea and the scenery are beautiful.

I am always healed by the scenery.

I want people to know that it is actually a wonderful place.

Ono

First of all, "Why is the boat race operated as a public competition by the city?" may not have a very good image due to its gambling nature.

In the past, there were few recreational activities, and while providing entertainment, the premise was to use the profits generated to return and contribute to the local community.

However, we have not actively promoted how those profits are being used until now.

If people could understand that they can enjoy themselves while contributing to society, I believe the image of boat racing could improve.

Yokota

A portion of the profits is allocated to the general account of Kurashiki City.

Since it goes into the general account, it is used for various purposes.

Ono

Due to a lack of PR, we have recently been announcing what the profits are being used for, stating, "This is what we are using it for."

Yokota

For example, profits were used for the construction of the new (downhill) Kojoike Tunnel.

During the heavy rains in July 2018, profits were also used for the development of disaster public housing in Mabi and the restoration of Makibi Nursery School.

They have also been used for the maintenance of the grounds at Nishi-Achi Elementary School and the purchase of a fire truck.

Ono

Additionally, they have been used for measures against the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds are being used widely.

I want to make it a place open to the community through facility development

According to the Kurashiki City website, are there plans for building renovations?

Yokota

Yes, we will start the design this fiscal year (2022) and plan to complete it in fiscal year 2026.

The building where customers watch has been expanded to its current form. It is now a continuous structure, but the second, third, and fourth phases were built at different times.

The plan is to change the stand buildings for phases 2, 3, and 4.

Phase 2 is the oldest building, from the entrance to the middle section.

Phase 2 will be demolished and rebuilt.

We will create an event hall and facilities for children to play, making it an area where a wide range of generations can enjoy.

Phases 3 and 4 will not be demolished, but the interiors will be renovated.

Look forward to the completion!

Ono

Currently, the facility is large compared to the number of visitors.

During the peak period, many customers visited directly, so a large facility was necessary, but now, with more places and methods to buy boat tickets, the number of visitors has decreased.

We will improve the building so that not only those who enjoy boat racing but also others can enjoy the facility.

Currently, when children come, they can only play in a small, limited space.

However, in the future, based on the basic concept of becoming a place open to the community, where children can play regularly, it is planned to be reborn.

Thoughts on the Boat Race Venue

How would you like Boat Race Kojima to change in the future?

Yokota

I want it to be featured in tourist brochures and be recognized as one of the tourist destinations.

I personally have not recognized it as a tourist destination until now.

I used to pass by when heading to Washuzan Hill, but just went straight through.

In the future, I hope it becomes one of the options like "Are you going to Kojima Jeans Street or the boat?"

I want people to visit for purposes other than boat racing, such as letting their children play or coming to eat.

I want it to be an open boat race venue where everyone can visit and spend a comfortable time.

Ono

Isn't there an image that you shouldn't go unless you like boats?

I want to remove that.

Yokota

We will hold events that everyone can enjoy, return the profits, and allow people to enjoy it beyond just boats.

I want to renovate it into a facility that can be enjoyed every day.

I also want people to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

I have received feedback that this scenery is unmatched by other venues.

First, I want people to come and see without betting.

I hope that while watching the races unfold right in front of them, they will become interested.

Watching the fierce, second-by-second competition is thrilling and interesting.

Conclusion

I, the author, had the misconception that "this is a place where people who don't gamble shouldn't go," but through the interview, I learned that there are other ways to enjoy boat racing.

The venue is clean and well-maintained, with beautiful scenery, and my preconceived notions about the boat race venue have completely changed, making me think, "I want to go again."

At the same time, I also want more people to know about this place and visit it.

In the future, Boat Race Kojima is scheduled to undergo a complete transformation.

I look forward to the day when it becomes a place everyone can enjoy and one of the tourist destinations.

Articles about Boat Race Kojima

Data on Boat Race Kojima

Name	Boat Race Kojima
Location	6-3 Kojima Motohama-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture
Contact	086-472-5051
Parking	Available
Opening Hours	9:45 AM to 5:00 PM * Hours may vary depending on race times
Closed	Irregular holidays Closed on days when races are not held
Admission Fee (including tax)	100 yen per person
Payment Methods	Cash
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 seating includes wheelchair spaces
Website	Boat Race Kojima

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