Boat Race Kojima in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture , is currently undergoing a large-scale renovation. Ahead of its full completion in 2027, the grandstand building opened in December 2025, featuring a food court offering local specialty cuisine.
2026.06.12Boat racing (kyotei) is a public gambling sport in Japan where six motorboats compete for position by circling a course on the water. In addition to watching the races, it is also attracting attention as a tourist spot due to the abundance of local cuisine and family events.
The food court features a wide array of local delicacies, including popular ramen shops from Kojima known for their long lines, Western-style restaurants from the Mizushima area, and Kurashiki's famous Bukkake Udon. Furthermore, there's a corner where you can enjoy original dishes using "Salt from the Nozaki Family, the Salt King," which tells the history of the region. Let's take a closer look.
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Table of Contents
- What kind of place is Boat Race Kojima?
- Regarding the ongoing renovation work
- Here's a roundup of the highlights of the newly opened food court!
- Family-friendly tatami seating and an indoor slide
- Enjoy watching the races from the newly renovated grandstand.
- Summary: Boat Race Kojima is a hidden gem that's also attracting attention as a tourist spot.
What kind of place is Boat Race Kojima?
Boat Race Kojima is a public boat racing track located approximately 1.5 km south of JR Kojima Station. It was established in 1952 and is currently operated by Kurashiki City and the Binan Boat Race Business Association, with races held throughout the year.
It is known as a boat race track with beautiful views, facing the Seto Inland Sea(a calm Utsumi surrounded by Japan's Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu). On a clear day, you can see Tatebajima Island (commonly known as Kujirajima), Otsuchi Island, and the scenic spot called "Mt. Ojigatake" floating in the sea.
It's easily accessible, about a 5-minute drive from the Seto Interchange on the Chuo- Kojima Expressway. There are 2,500 free parking spaces available, and a free shuttle bus runs from JR Kojima Station on race days.
[Boat Race Kojima ]
Location: 6-3 Kojima Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture Prefecture
TEL: 086-472-5050
Opening hours: 9:45 AM until the end of the final (12th) race.
Operating days: Race days
Admission fee: Adults (20 years and older): 100 yen
Parking: 2,500 spaces (free)
Regarding the ongoing renovation work
Since 2024, renovation work has been underway to refresh the aging stands. As the first phase, the stand building opened in December 2025, and a new food court was created. As of May 2026, demolition work is underway on the stand building on the entrance side, and the complete renovation is scheduled to be completed by the end of fiscal year 2027 as a multi-purpose facility equipped with an event hall, plaza, kids' park, and more. We are looking forward to seeing what it will look like when it is finished.
Here's a roundup of the highlights of the newly opened food court!
The food court, which opened in December 2025 on the first floor of the stand building, brings together popular restaurants representing the Kurashiki and Kojima areas. There are also menus that can only be enjoyed here, so be sure to add mealtime to the enjoyment of your trip.
1. Delicious Yoshokuya Ichi
Located near Mizushima Ryokuchi Fukuda Park, "Oishii Yoshokuya Ichi" is a popular restaurant renowned for its homemade Western-style cuisine made with carefully selected ingredients. Western-style cuisine is a genre of food that originated in Japan during the Meiji era (late 19th century) and was adapted to Japanese tastes. Representative dishes include hamburg steak, ginger pork, and chicken nanban. They also offer a children's menu, making it ideal for families.
Opening hours: 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Payment methods: Cash, credit card, PayPay, auPAY, d払い
2. Ramen Senya
Ramen Senya is a long-established ramen shop that has been loved by locals in Kojima for many years. They offer a menu exclusive to Boat Race Kojima that can only be found here, including tsukemen (noodles eaten by dipping them in soup), oyakodon (a rice bowl dish of chicken and eggs simmered in a sweet and spicy sauce), and the Ga-ko Special. They also have a good selection of snacks, such as a set of octopus tempura and beer, making it the perfect place to enjoy while watching the races.
Opening hours: 10:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Payment methods: Cash, credit card, WAON, PayPay, auPAY, Rakuten Pay, d払い
3. Kurashiki Udon Furuiti Bukkake Udon
"Bukkake Udon" is a soul food that has long been loved by the people of Kurashiki. Unlike Sanuki Udon (a famous udon dish originating from neighboring Kagawa Prefecture), it is characterized by its unique Kurashiki style, where a sweet and savory sauce is poured directly over the udon noodles. "Furuiti Bukkake Udon" is a famous restaurant with multiple locations in Kurashiki City, as well as a branch on the Shinkansen platform at Okayama Station. It is a dish that you should definitely try at least once when you come to Kurashiki.
Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Payment methods: Cash, credit card, transportation IC cards, Rakuten Edy, iD, WAON, nanaco, PayPay, auPAY, Rakuten Pay, d払い
4. Kurashiki Kojima Enmusubi Café
Kurashiki Kojima Enmusubi Café is a place where you can easily enjoy light meals and drinks. The Kojima district of Kurashiki City was once a "salt town" that prospered from salt production from the Edo to Meiji periods. The cafe features menu items using "salt from the Nozaki family, the salt kings of the salt fields," which carries on that history, and offers unique sweets such as salt cider and salt chocolate (soft serve ice cream). You can also enjoy drinks with a rich local flavor, such as coffee supervised by "Meikyoku Kissaten Toki no Kairo" in the local Shimotsui district.
Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Payment methods: Cash, credit card, PayPay, auPAY, Rakuten Pay, d払い
Family-friendly tatami seating and an indoor slide
The food court also features family-friendly seating areas with tatami mats or floor seating. You can relax and enjoy your meal after taking off your shoes, making it ideal for families with young children. You can enjoy a leisurely meal while watching motorboats sailing on the water from your seat.
Additionally, there's an indoor slide installed on the stairs next to the family seating area, allowing children to play to their heart's content regardless of the weather. When I actually visited, I saw children repeatedly sliding down and having a great time.
Enjoy watching the races from the newly renovated grandstand.
I also went up to the newly renovated grandstand. From the comfortable, air-conditioned interior, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the water and experience the thrilling races up close. Even first-timers to boat racing will surely be captivated by the immersive atmosphere.
Family events are also held on weekends and public holidays.
At Boat Race Kojima, family-friendly events are held mainly on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. During our visit, a "Mölkky and Boccia Experience Area" was set up outside the food court. Mölkky and Boccia, an outdoor game originating in Finland, are both official Paralympic sports. Both have simple rules and can be enjoyed by people of all ages, so the children were engrossed and tried again and again.
Summary: Boat Race Kojima is a hidden gem that's also attracting attention as a tourist spot.
Boat Race Kojima was previously often described as having a charming Showa retro atmosphere (a nostalgic, distinctly Japanese feel from the Showa period, 1926-1989). However, thanks to renovations that cater to modern needs, including the food court we've introduced here, it has evolved into a facility that can be enjoyed by a wide range of generations. The complete renovation is scheduled to be finished around the fall of 2027, and we are very much looking forward to its further transformation.
When you visit, please be sure to post photos of your meal on social media using the hashtag " Kojima". The facility staff also welcomes your posts. Come and enjoy both boat racing and local cuisine at Boat Race Kojima.
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