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Biwako Boat Race Tour
Biwako Boat Race Tour
Biwako Boat Race Tour
Biwako Boat Race Tour
Biwako Boat Race Tour

Lake Biwa Boat Race Tour

By Kenji from Kyoto, a certified international sake sommelier
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Overview

You may have heard of Japan's famous “Keirin racing,” now an Olympic sport, which is a bicycle race that is paced in the first laps by a motorised vehicle. The boat races on Lake Biwa are a kind of aquatic version of Keirin racing, but with high-powered, high-tech speedboats instead of bicycles.

These races, set on spectacular “Biwako,” or Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, make for a thrilling afternoon. Wagering on the races is part of the fun. The local government of Shiga Prefecture organises the races and oversees the gaming, which is carefully managed and entirely legal.

The races will get your heart pumping – perhaps even a bit faster if you've placed a wager on one of the boats…

Your guide, Kenji, who has twenty years of experience with these races, will provide detailed instructions on how to enjoy the sport and how to place bets.

Group size: 2 - 6 people

Activity location

  • Boat Race Biwako
    • 1 1
    • 520-0023, Otsu, Shiga, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Kyoto Station
    • Higashishiokoji Kamadonocho
    • 600-8216, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan

Check availability

Sorry this activity isn't available on Fri, 17 May
Please choose a different date

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's includedThe entry fee and a reserved seat at the races
  • What's includedWhat's includedA light picnic and drinks
  • What's includedWhat's includedTrain and bus tickets to and from the boat race stadium
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedMoney or tickets for betting
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedInsurance of any type

Know before you book

  • Public transport options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travellers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for travellers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Not suitable for travellers under the age of 20

Activity itinerary

Boat Race Biwako
  • 4h
  • Admission ticket included
We'll set out from Kyoto Station; stop at a special supermarket to pick up your choice of a light meal and drinks for our boat race picnic; travel to Lake Biwa in Shiga for the event; and return to Kyoto Station after the races. Duration: about 4 hours (We set out at 11:15am. The travel time on a JR train from Kyoto Station to the boat race stadium is 35 minutes. We spend nearly three hours at the boat race stadium. After the races, the train ride back to Kyoto station is 35 minutes.) Cost: ¥20,000 per person, which includes the cost of travel from Kyoto station to the stadium and back; a light meal with drinks; the entry fee; and a reserved seat Guests who are 20 years old or older and don't wish to wager on the races are certainly welcome to enjoy watching them with us at Lake Biwa. Please note that money or tickets for betting are not included. The race schedule varies from month to month. We do hope there will be races on when you come to Kyoto!

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIESBoat Race Biwako
    • 1 1
    • 520-0023, Otsu, Shiga, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLEKyoto Station
    • Higashishiokoji Kamadonocho
    • 600-8216, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan

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