• 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 motorized 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 organizes 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 - 4 people

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!