Gambling (Part 1) Kyotei, Wrestling on the Water
by Hiroki Yanagisawa on March 15, 2010 12:00 PM
Gambling in Japan.
What kind of venue do you expect? Cards and dice on tables?
People acquainted with Japan may be able to mention pachinko or horse racing. What about "boat racing?" Japan is one of 2 countries in the world where you can bet on motor-powered boats. (The same system was exported to Korea in 2002.)
What kind of venue do you expect? Cards and dice on tables?
People acquainted with Japan may be able to mention pachinko or horse racing. What about "boat racing?" Japan is one of 2 countries in the world where you can bet on motor-powered boats. (The same system was exported to Korea in 2002.)
Kyotei, which literarily translates to "Competition of Racing Boats", was established by the government in 1952, ７years after the end of the World War 2. The Ministry of Transport (Now Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transportation) was promoting the shipbuilding industry back then and its solution turned out to be a commitment of public and competition among the industry -- gambling+racing.
There are 24 kyotei courses in Japan and most of the courses are located in a lake/river/bay. This setup creates natural influences -- tide, wind, and water (sea water/freshwater) -- on the racing.
Each course owns boats and motors and the racers are assigned to a set of designated boat and motor on the day before the competition. In order to win, the maintenance of the equipments is crucial. All the racers are required to attend a special school for boat racing, where they learn the physics and mechanism of the boat, before turning themselves to a professional. So they know precisely how each part of a boat functions.
6 boats compete at each race, and 12 races are usually carried out in one day. One race is consisting of 3 laps of 600m course.
For a detailed rules of Kyotei in English, check out Kyotei's official website.
What's so unique about kyotei is the diversity of the racers. Their age is ranging from 20s to 50s and female racers also compete with male racers. This idea is from Ryoichi Sasagawa, a political fixer and one of the founders of Kyotei. His idea was that after the World War 2, the equality of male and female will be a major issue and he wanted put this equality issue in practice -- male and female on the same race.
As for the spectators, most of the are male, 40s-50s, working-class figure. You don't get to interact with these people in typical touristy spots like Shibuya, Asakusa, and Shinjuku, but surely, without no doubt, they're one of the constituents of Japanese. In that sense, if you want to immerse yourself to Japan "literally", this is a must stop.
In Tokyo, there are 3 course, Heiwajima (Southern Tokyo--where this article's pictures were taken.), Edogawa (Eaterrn Tokyo), Tamagawa (Western Tokyo). JPY100 for an entrance fee. Betting begins from JPY100.
A part of the revenue from Kyotei goes to the Japan Foundation.
For more pictures of Kyotei go to EDGY JAPAN flickr page.
If you'd like to visit kyotei and bet with an edgy assistance, or wish to explore more of street-like Japan, please contact us for more edgy opportunities in Japan.
There are 24 kyotei courses in Japan and most of the courses are located in a lake/river/bay. This setup creates natural influences -- tide, wind, and water (sea water/freshwater) -- on the racing.
Each course owns boats and motors and the racers are assigned to a set of designated boat and motor on the day before the competition. In order to win, the maintenance of the equipments is crucial. All the racers are required to attend a special school for boat racing, where they learn the physics and mechanism of the boat, before turning themselves to a professional. So they know precisely how each part of a boat functions.
6 boats compete at each race, and 12 races are usually carried out in one day. One race is consisting of 3 laps of 600m course.
For a detailed rules of Kyotei in English, check out Kyotei's official website.
What's so unique about kyotei is the diversity of the racers. Their age is ranging from 20s to 50s and female racers also compete with male racers. This idea is from Ryoichi Sasagawa, a political fixer and one of the founders of Kyotei. His idea was that after the World War 2, the equality of male and female will be a major issue and he wanted put this equality issue in practice -- male and female on the same race.
As for the spectators, most of the are male, 40s-50s, working-class figure. You don't get to interact with these people in typical touristy spots like Shibuya, Asakusa, and Shinjuku, but surely, without no doubt, they're one of the constituents of Japanese. In that sense, if you want to immerse yourself to Japan "literally", this is a must stop.
Reading kyotei newspaper.
One of race forecasters.
In Tokyo, there are 3 course, Heiwajima (Southern Tokyo--where this article's pictures were taken.), Edogawa (Eaterrn Tokyo), Tamagawa (Western Tokyo). JPY100 for an entrance fee. Betting begins from JPY100.
A part of the revenue from Kyotei goes to the Japan Foundation.
For more pictures of Kyotei go to EDGY JAPAN flickr page.
If you'd like to visit kyotei and bet with an edgy assistance, or wish to explore more of street-like Japan, please contact us for more edgy opportunities in Japan.
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