A 10-paddler river race, with teams working in sync on the Naruse River
Dragon Canoe Competition (Kami Town)
The 2026 edition of Dragon Canoe Competition (Kami Town) has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/07/26Ended
- Season / frequency
- Every year, on the last Sunday of July / Every year
- Location
- Naruse River Canoe Racing Course
- Area
- Miyagi Prefecture・Kami Town(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 30 min–2 h · bullet train)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Highlights and activities
- Participation / viewing
- Open to public participation / spectators welcome
- Age restrictions
- Open and mixed divisions: junior high school students and older; junior division: elementary school students
- Required number of participants
- 12 people (10 paddlers, 1 drummer, and 1 steerer)
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
Teams race dragon canoes with 10 paddlers on the Naruse River in Kami Town. Enjoy the excitement of a close-up view of teams racing on the water in perfect sync.
About Dragon Canoe Competition (Kami Town)
The Dragon Canoe Competition is a 10-person dragon canoe race held on the Naruse River in Kami Town, Miyagi Prefecture.
Teams race for speed on a wide stretch of the river, competing for the Kami Town Cup.
Events include an open division for beginners and experienced competitors, as well as a junior division for elementary school students.
It is a summer sporting event in Kami Town that brings together the local river and canoe racing.
Source: ドラゴンカヌー大会 (加美町) - Wikipedia
Festival highlights
The highlight is the speed race, with 10 paddlers working in sync to cover 250 meters.
The open and mixed divisions compete in a knockout format, while the junior division is a timed race.
The 2026 event is billed as bringing together top teams from across Japan, with races decided by fractions of a second.
This river race is a striking display of teamwork and explosive speed.
Source: 第23回 加美町カップドラゴンカヌー大会 '26.7.26(日) ｜観光・旅行情報サイト 宮城まるごと探訪
A 10-paddler river race, with teams working in sync on the Naruse River
What to expect
On the day of the event, dragon canoe races begin after the opening ceremony.
The competition consists of 250-meter straight races for 10-person teams, divided into open, mixed, and junior divisions.
The open and mixed divisions use a knockout format, while the junior division is a timed race to determine the rankings.
The day before the event, each team also holds a practice session at the main competition venue.
How to take part
Any team that meets the competition rules is welcome to participate.
The open division is for junior high school students and older, and is open to both beginners and experienced competitors.
The mixed division is for teams made up of junior high school students and older; the junior division is for teams made up exclusively of elementary school students.
You can find out how to enter the 2026 competition by contacting the Kami Town Sports Association.
To find out how to enter the 2026 competition, contact the Kami Town Sports Association.
For inquiries, contact the Kami Town Sports Association at the Kami Town Nakaniida B&G Marine Center. The phone number is 0229-25-8188.
According to past information, registration closes once 35 teams have entered by the designated application deadline in early July.
Please check the deadline and required documents before applying.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Kami Town's “Naruse River Canoe Racing Course” (Yoneizumi Narusegawa, Kami Town, Kami District, Miyagi Prefecture; boathouse at the Naruse River Canoe Racing Course).
- Train and bus
It is about 10 minutes by car from Nishi-Furukawa Station on the Rikuu East Line.
- By car
It is about 25 minutes by car from Furukawa IC on the Tohoku Expressway.
- Parking
Free parking is available.
Address Yoneizumi Narusegawa, Kami Town, Kami District, Miyagi Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
The 2026 event will be held on July 26 (Sunday).
The opening ceremony is scheduled for 8 a.m., with the competition beginning at 8:40 a.m.
The event is usually held on the last Sunday of July, with races taking place on the Naruse River in summer.
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Miyagi Prefecture / Kami Town (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
As the competition takes place on the river, spectators watch from the water's edge.
The 2026 event is scheduled to begin with an opening ceremony at 8 a.m., followed by the competition at 8:40 a.m.
If traveling by car, it is about 25 minutes from Furukawa IC and about 10 minutes by car from Nishi-Furukawa Station.
The event goes ahead in rainy weather, but is announced as canceled in severe weather, so check its status if conditions are stormy.
Nearby attractions
やくらいガーデン
宮城県加美町の公園・庭園のスポットです。
Origins and History of Dragon Canoe Competition (Kami Town)
The competition's precise origins are unconfirmed, but records of the number of events show that it has been held regularly over time.
Records show the 11th event took place on July 27, 2014 and the 12th on July 26, 2015.
The 2026 event is billed as the 23rd Kami Town Cup, making it a long-running canoe competition held on the Naruse River in Kami Town.
Dragon Canoe Competition (Kami Town) at a Glance
The Dragon Canoe Competition is a 10-person race held at the Naruse River Canoe Racing Course in Kami Town.
The 2026 event will be held on July 26. The opening ceremony is at 8 a.m., and the competition begins at 8:40 a.m.
There are open, mixed, and junior divisions, with teams working in sync to race 250 meters as fast as they can.
The venue is about 25 minutes by car from Furukawa IC, and free parking is available.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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