The long-established Boat Race Kojima in Kojima, Kurashiki City.
You often see buses offering free rides to the racecourse.
As the writer, I had never particularly wanted to visit before.
That was because my image of boat racing was of middle-aged men with red pencils, looking at newspapers and placing bets.
But these days, famous entertainers appear in TV shows and commercials to promote and support it.
I heard that a friend’s child wanted to become a boat racer and had taken the entrance exam.
Boat racing had started to feel closer to home, with it coming up more often among people around me, and I became curious about what it was like.
It takes courage for a woman to go, and I don’t really know how it works...
Just when I was wondering if there might be an event where friends could go casually and learn about boat racing...
I came across a flyer for the “Boat Race Kojima Asoboat Tour.”
Enjoy boat racing and afternoon tea while looking out over the Seto Inland Sea.
It was exactly the kind of event I had been waiting for. I thought, “This is it!” and signed up right away.
The information provided was current when this article was published in March 2023. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is the Boat Race Kojima Asoboat Tour?
The “Boat Race Kojima Asoboat Tour” was a tour organized jointly by Boat Race Kojima and the BOATRACE Promotion Association, a general incorporated foundation.
It was held on eight Saturdays and Sundays when races were scheduled, from January through March 2023.
The price was just 2,000 yen per person (tax included).
Children could participate free of charge when accompanied by a parent.
I heard later that it sold out almost immediately.
You’re interested, but haven’t had a chance to go.
It was a fun-looking event that seemed to make the wishes of people like that come true.
The boat tour begins
Let’s take a look at how the tour went.
Meet at Kojima Station
Unfortunately, it was raining that day.
Inside Kojima Station, the bus guide was checking in the arriving guests with reservations.
At 10 a.m., we walked to the shuttle bus stop.
There were people of all ages, including families with children, groups of women, and couples.
Once we boarded, the bus guide gave us a brief explanation of the tour.
The ride to the boat racecourse was very short, but getting on the bus made it feel like an exciting trip.
Arrive at the boat racecourse
It took about five minutes from Kojima Station.
Since it was raining, Boat Race Kojima staff welcomed us wearing raincoats.
Admission normally costs 100 yen, but it was included in the tour price this time.
It was my first time at a boat racecourse, and I looked around curiously.
The entrance had a high ceiling, and I couldn’t help looking up.
It’s so spacious.
Following the bus guide, we hurried to the Royal Room.
A special room: the Royal Room
The Royal Room is on the fifth floor.
The Royal Room is available for 3,500 yen on the day.
Special access to the room was one of the perks of this tour.
When we got off the elevator, the plush carpet made it feel like a hotel lobby.
The spacious room has sofas and counter seating, making it suitable for enjoying alone or in a group.
The entire side facing the sea is made up of windows, offering a superb view.
You can see the racecourse from above, so it seems like a relaxing place to watch the races.
It was raining that day, so the sea and sky looked murky, which was a little disappointing. The view must be wonderful when the weather is clear.
A simulated boat-racing experience
At our seats, the tables were set with race sheets listing race data, as well as magnets representing six boats and the turn markers.
The explanation of the boat-racing prediction game began right away.
This time, Abe Asuka, a reporter for Kurashiki Cable TV’s “Hanamaru PARK Kojima DE Asobo~to” and PR ambassador for Boat Race Kojima, led the event.
In boat racing, six racers complete three laps of the course and compete for position.
Most of the tour participants were new to boat racing.
One couple had not been there for 30 years.
For this tour’s prediction game, participants guessed which racer would come in first, and those who guessed correctly received a wonderful prize.
Katayama, the information manager, explained the basics of the race and gave us tips for making predictions.
Of course, everyone was free to choose whichever racer they wanted.
I trusted Katayama and chose the racer in Boat 1.
Unfortunately, Boat 3 came in first!
Two participants guessed correctly and received pouches from Betty Smith, a jeans manufacturer based in Kojima.
Then we tried again!
Everyone was serious about it.
Even when our predictions were wrong, it was so much fun choosing together and cheering excitedly.
Unfortunately, I didn’t guess correctly, but cheering on the racers as they competed with all their might gave me courage and energy, just like watching any other sport.
Afternoon tea
At last, it was time for afternoon tea (*).
* Afternoon tea is a British tradition of gathering for tea and enjoying sweets. In Kurashiki, the popular event “Kurashiki Afternoon Tea” is held twice a year.
Even as I listened to the explanation of the races, I was fidgeting, curious about what the staff were preparing behind me.
The bento and sweets for this event were catered by “.KOMBINAT,” located inside Achi Terrace Kurashiki in front of JR Kurashiki Station.
The shop’s handmade sweets and cakes were beautifully arranged.
Just looking at it was delightful.
The staff at “.KOMBINAT” served us the sweets we wanted to try.
Each piece was small enough that it seemed like I could eat any number, so I asked for one of every kind.
A light lunch: a two-tier bento
Although described as a light meal, the two-tier bento is generously portioned.
Sandwiches, meatballs, and salad. This alone is more than enough food.
Juice, coffee, and tea are self-serve and unlimited.
I attended with two other women, and we polished off the cakes and sweets too, as if we had a separate stomach for dessert.
After filling our stomachs, it was time to try Boat Race.
In the tour’s two-race prediction game, no money is wagered. Those who are interested can buy actual betting tickets for the races afterward.
With Princess Peace showing us how to fill out and buy betting tickets, the three of us tried to predict the next race.
- Which boat racer should we cheer for next?
- Which racer is the most handsome?
- How old are they?
We had a fun time imagining what we’d do if we won.
No one guessed correctly, but tickets start at 100 yen, so it was easy to give it a try.
A VR experience that lets you feel like a racer
One of the highlights of this tour is “Boat Race VR Splash Battle.”
You race in VR, riding a boat built just like the real thing and competing online against venues across Japan.
I gave it a try, too.
First, you sit on the boat in the seiza position.
I was surprised to hear that racers also compete while sitting in seiza.
When you put on the goggles, the water stretches out before your eyes, making you feel as if you’re floating on a boat.
There’s no brake; you steer using only the accelerator.
The turns were difficult. I gave it my best shot (?) but came in last.
It was a valuable experience that let me feel as if I were really competing and brought the racers closer to me.
Photography lesson
The day I attended was a day when a photography lesson was being held.
On days without a photography lesson, a workshop is held instead.
Staff from Kurashiki Women's Collection come and help you make two items from the following:
- Tatami-edge accessories
- Setouchi scale-pattern ballpoint pen
- Mini denim wreath, and more
This time, a photography lesson with the Boat Race photographer was held on the theme of “Taking beautiful photos with your smartphone, too.”
First, we got an explanation of basic camera composition, followed by some hands-on practice.
We took photos of the afternoon tea display at “.KOMBINAT,” decorated as a photo spot.
Next, we tried taking portraits. The model was a staff member from “.KOMBINAT.”
The instructor showed us how to compose the shot, and I got an atmospheric photo I wouldn’t have been able to take on my own.
Cheering from the outdoor seating on the first floor
The weather was bad on the day I attended. We had originally planned to visit the Washuzan Hill observation deck, but the trip was canceled.
Instead, we enjoyed watching from the outdoor seating at the boat race venue.
The view from the Royal Room was wonderful, but watching the race while actually hearing the engines was truly thrilling.
It really gets you fired up to cheer them on.
Make-your-own strap experience at Betty Smith
Here, we said goodbye to Boat Race Kojima.
The staff and other people involved waved to us until the bus was out of sight, which left a strong impression.
A 10-minute bus ride from the boat race venue brought us to “Betty Smith,” a tourist attraction in Kojima.
Kojima is famous as “the birthplace of domestically made jeans,” and Betty Smith is one of its long-established businesses.
There’s a Jeans Museum, a jeans outlet, and a jeans-making experience, among other attractions.
At Betty Smith, we enjoyed making denim straps.
We chose our favorite denim cord and a rivet from a box.
With help from a staff member, we attached the rivet and finished our straps.
I was surprised that making a strap was included in the tour price.
We also received the following souvenirs from Boat Race Kojima:
- Masking tape (mt) from KAMOI KAKOSHI CO., LTD. — a souvenir from this Boat Race Kojima Asoboat Tour
- Clear file folder
- Pouch
- Sticker
- Invitation ticket
It was a satisfying day, with more souvenirs than I expected.
It’s a fun, action-packed tour where you can spend the whole day playing and enjoy delicious food.
We spoke with Yokota Yuko, who planned this tour for the Boat Race Business Bureau.
Boat Race Kojima Asoboat Tour details
| Name | Boat Race Kojima Asoboat Tour |
|---|---|
| Dates | Weekends on race days from January to March 2023 January 21 and 28; February 18, 19, 25, and 26; March 5, 2023 |
| Location | 6-3 Kojima Motohamacho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation fee (tax included) | 2,000 yen per adult (tax included) |
| Website | Boat Race Kojima Asoboat Tour |
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