Day after day, the heat has been so intense it feels like your body could melt.
Air-conditioned rooms are comfortable, but are you starting to feel like getting outside and playing to your heart’s content?
August is the height of summer.
At “Boat Race Kojima,” a water-play event where you can have fun getting soaked from head to toe was held.
Here’s a look at an event that turned the heat to its advantage and made the most of it.
The information provided was accurate when this article was published in August 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is the water activity “Midsummer Water Battle”?
The water activity “Midsummer Water Battle” is a sporting event held at Boat Race Kojima.
The event requires reservations and is open to participants aged five and up (preschoolers must be accompanied by a parent or guardian).
In a battle-style game where participants shoot at one another with “water guns” instead of “matchlock guns,” they enjoyed the fight with smiles, soaked from head to toe.
The day of the event
On the day of the event, the high reached 37°C, making it an extremely hot day.
At the venue entrance, a mist shower offered visitors a cool welcome.
Participation is free, but visitors aged 20 and over must pay a 100-yen facility admission fee.
In the space just past the gate, participants eagerly awaited the start of the battle.
Many pairs of preschoolers or elementary school students and their parents or guardians were there, giving the venue a friendly, cheerful atmosphere.
The children, holding their water guns and getting into character as samurai, made a truly reassuring and heartwarming sight.
Water battle rules
Participants are given three pieces of equipment.
- A vest with an armor design
- A “soul” (specially processed patch)
- A matchlock-style water gun
The rules are simple: just aim your water gun at your opponent’s “soul.”
When the “soul” gets wet, the image of a defeated samurai appears—a unique feature.
The participants split into yellow and green teams, and the time to march into battle finally arrived.
A variety of battle formats
The water battles were mainly held in three formats.
- Elimination battle (team battle; the team with more players left standing at the end wins)
- General battle (a strategic battle to protect the team’s chosen general and “hidden soul”)
- Battle royale (a survival battle with no distinction between friend and foe)
The enemy isn’t the only thing you have to watch out for. Event staff also mercilessly douse participants with water from hoses.
Stray shots from your teammates’ water guns are another hazard, so you may be hit from an unexpected direction.
When I was unexpectedly splashed in the face, I couldn’t help laughing.
Regular breaks and hydration time
Each battle lasts about five minutes. A short break is provided after every battle.
I was so absorbed in playing that I hadn’t realized how much I was sweating, and the drink I’d brought went down refreshingly.
The event takes place in the shade inside a tent, so participants can avoid direct sunlight, but the breeze feels a little chilly against a soaking-wet body.
At that moment, the blazing sun felt pleasant.
From the Writer
Lately, I’d been getting a little fed up with the relentless, sweltering heat.
But that day, I took part in an event that’s fun precisely because it’s hot, and it became a day when I could honestly think, “Summer is wonderful.”
At Boat Race Kojima, the event venue, a variety of events are held, mainly on weekends and public holidays.
Honestly, until now I had thought of boat race venues as “places for adults to have fun.” But I was surprised to find that they also have plenty of activities and play areas for children.
It’s a spot the whole family can enjoy visiting.
I’ll keep checking for event updates and plan to visit again.
Articles about Boat Race Kojima
Water Activity “Midsummer Water Battle” Information
| Name | Water Activity “Midsummer Water Battle” |
|---|---|
| Dates | Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3, 2025 ・10:00 a.m. ・12:00 p.m. ・2:00 p.m. |
| Location | Boat Race Kojima |
| Admission (tax included) | Free ※However, visitors aged 20 and over must pay a 100-yen facility admission fee. |
| Website | Boat Race Kojima Official Website |
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