Written by Aarohi Narain
A high-energy race with roots in ancient China, the Yokohama Dragon Boat Race brings teams together for a thrilling competition on the city’s historic waterfront.
What happens?
In Yokohama, dragon boat racing takes center stage along the waterfront of Yamashita Park, where colorful dragon boats cut through the waves to the beat of pounding drums. Teams of up to 20 paddlers synchronize their strokes, racing against time and each other. For spectators, there will be food, cold beer, and performances by brass bands and other musical acts on the stage.
Schedule
The Yokohama Dragon Boat Race takes place every year on the Saturday and Sunday before the Yokohama Port Opening Day on June 2 (rain or shine).
History of the Dragon Boat Race
Dragon boat racing is a sport born from legend. Dating back over 2,000 years, the tradition is linked to the poet and statesman Qu Yuan, who, according to folklore, drowned in the Miluo River. Villagers paddled out in long wooden boats, beating drums and tossing rice into the water to scare away evil spirits and fish. This ritual evolved into the fast-paced, team-driven races we see today — most famously in Hong Kong, where the annual Dragon Boat Festival has made it a global sporting phenomenon.
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- 406 m from Motomachi-Chūkagai Station Minatomirai Line (MM6)
- 0.7 km from Nihon-ōdōri Station Minatomirai Line (MM5)
- 1.0 km from Ishikawachō Station Negishi Line (JK4)
