Exciting Boat Race in Heiwajima

Grab some snacks and drop a bet on your favorite driver

George Popescu Jun 18, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Getting some air after the turn must feel almost like flying. It looks super exciting and it must feel the same way as well to be flying in such a small boat. </p>

<p>It was the 60th anniversary of the Heiwajima boat race this year. </p>

<p>Dynamite boat race drivers getting ready in the shadows to go out there and give it their best. </p>

<p>On the straightaway the drivers get low in the boat to keep it from swaying side to side and keep up the fast speed. </p>

<p>Once they pick up speed they get a little bit higher in the boat so they can see the upcoming turn in the race. </p>

<p>The boats are relatively small but they pick up speed really fast and fly over the water. </p>

<p>At the turn the drivers stand up a bit and lean to the side to help the boat turn at high speed.</p>

<p>Some people get some air on the high speed turn, they always have to look around to avoid accidents since they're quite close to each other. </p>

<p>After the quick start some of the boats are neck in neck on the straightaway before getting to the first turn. </p>

<p>Everyone is trying to edge up ahead before having to do the first turn in the race. </p>

<p>There's quite a few dirty sea shells on the side of the lake, there's also a sea or ocean type smell in the area mainly due to the dirty water. </p>

<p>The race is pretty much a straightaway run with two turns involved. </p>

<p>Each driver has their own way of turning and they are all very skilled. </p>

<p>Sometimes the boats are very close to each other at the turn, and it is very exciting to see them just zoom past each other without hitting someone else. </p>

<p>It's a good place to relax, sit down and watch the race or bet on the race and hope to win some money. Watch out for the freeloading pigeons though, they're everywhere! </p>

On a hot summer day I went out to nearby Heiwajima in Shinagawa, Tokyo, to watch the dynamite boat race. Check out their English website where you can find out all the information about the race, the drivers and how to bet on it.

The entry fee was only 100 Yen and you could sit down or stand up and watch the race; it's very short but they have many races throughout the whole day. You can pay a little more and get indoor air-conditioned seats and there's many snacks you can buy on location as well.

George Popescu @george.popescu

I was born in Bucharest, Romania and after a brief stay in London, England I settled and lived in Toronto, Canada for 20 years. I moved to Tokyo in late 2013 and have lived here ever since. I enjoy exploring the city with my camera as well as going to many special events that Tokyo has to offer e...