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[Marine Sports] “Pedal SUP & Kayak” that can be enjoyed in casual clothes makes its debut in the Tokai region
When it comes to activities at Lake Hamana, marine sports enjoyed on the lake are popular, but did you know that new marine sports will be introduced in July 2023?
That is the “Pedal SUP & Kayak” that we will introduce this time.
“Pedal SUP & Kayak” is a cutting-edge activity that is easy to enjoy in casual clothes and has the exhilarating feeling of moving smoothly across the lake like cycling.
This time, I actually experienced pedal kayaking, so I will report on its charm!
Water activity Lake Hamana where you can experience “pedal SUP & kayak”
Image source: Water Activities Lake Hamana Official Instagram
This time I visited “Water Activity Lake Hamana” located in Mikkabicho, Kita Ward, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture.
Mikkabicho, located on Lake Oku-Hamana, is one of Hamamatsu’s popular tourist spots where you can enjoy the rich nature and calm scenery of Lake Hamana.
Water Activities Lake Hamana is located inside the resort hotel “Hotel Listel Hamanako” facing Lake Hamana.
What is the new sensation marine sports “Pedal SUP & Kayak”?
Water Activities “Pedal SUP & Kayak” that you can experience at Lake Hamana is a marine sport born in California.
▲Single-seater “pedal SUP”
Image source: Water Activities Lake Hamana Official Website
▲Two-seater “pedal kayak”
These “pedal SUP” and “pedal kayak” have only been introduced in a few places in Japan, including Lake Hamana, and are cutting-edge activities that can only be experienced at “Water Activity Lake Hamana” in the Tokai area.
There is also a 4-seater “pedal boat” that you can enjoy with your family and friends.
Image source: Water Activities Lake Hamana Official Website
Just by turning the pedals at your feet as if you were pedaling a bicycle, you can move smoothly across the lake, giving you an exhilarating experience like never before.
“Pedal SUP uses a unique technology developed through research into penguin swimming, so you can move smoothly by simply pedaling lightly.As a result, it is a marine sport that even small children and seniors can try. ” said Inui Hasegawa, representative of Water Activities Lake Hamana.
Water Activities Lake Hamana Representative Mr. Inui Hasegawa
Mr. Hasegawa discovered pedal SUP in the summer of 2022.
When he was enjoying all types of SUP at Lake Saiko in Yamanashi Prefecture during a private visit, he was captivated by a “pedal SUP” he had never seen before that passed right in front of him.
I continued to pursue pedal SUP, and when I asked for details, I learned that it was developed by California kayak manufacturer HOBIE and was “the latest marine sport that can be easily enjoyed by the whole family, from children to seniors to dogs, in casual clothes.” It seems that he understood.
Mr. Hasegawa had long thought that “I want more people to easily enjoy the marine sports and activities of Lake Hamana,” so he started Water Activities Lake Hamana himself and introduced this pedal SUP to Lake Hamana.
In July 2023, a new activity has started where you can enjoy pedal SUP, pedal kayak, and pedal boat.
Try “pedal kayaking” in casual clothes!
Up until now, when it comes to marine sports, I have always felt that the hurdles are quite high, but I heard that pedal SUP and pedal kayaking can be easily enjoyed in casual clothes, so I decided to take the plunge and give it a try!
This time, we tried out a “pedal kayak” that can be enjoyed by two people.
First, reception and experience explanation
First, you will go through the registration process and receive an explanation of how to ride a pedal kayak and precautions to be taken during the experience.
You will be provided with detailed explanations of how to operate a pedal kayak and points of interest to explore, so even first-timers will feel at ease.
Prepare by wearing a life jacket
Next, put on your life jacket. You can experience it in your everyday clothes, so there is no need to change into a wet suit.
For women, you don’t have to worry about removing your makeup, so it’s really easy to try!
Since you will be pedaling and operating the boat, we recommend wearing clothes that are easy to move in.
Life jackets can be rented free of charge. If you wish, you can also rent a hat and marine shoes for free, so you can protect yourself from the sun and getting your feet wet.
Get into your pedal kayak and set off!
Now, let’s jump into a pedal kayak and take a walk on the water. Once you cross the pier, your kayak is right there!
The seat of the kayak is like a chair, so even beginners can sit comfortably.
Cycling on the water with a pedal kayak that moves smoothly
Pedal kayaks move smoothly over the lake just by pedaling with light force. It’s less tiring than a rowboat or all-SUP, and it’s great that you can enjoy the comfort of cycling!
Kayaks are stable, don’t shake, and are easy to maneuver. You can leave the pier in no time and spend a special time on the spacious Lake Hamana with a sense of freedom.
Pedal kayak experience time is 1 hour. We had a lot of fun walking around the lake, admiring the scenery and taking pictures of nature that we wouldn’t normally be able to take.
Pedal kayaks can be easily ridden with your usual clothes, but they offer an active feel that can only be experienced on the lake. This looks addictive!
You can also enjoy tea time on the lake.
Pedal kayaks allow you to bring in drinks and snacks.
During the hot season, it’s wonderful to enjoy tea time on the lake, bringing along some crisply chilled drinks and Mikkabi’s famous sweets.
Points to enjoy pedal kayaking
The sunlight on the lake is stronger than you think, and there is also UV rays reflected from the water surface. Be sure to take precautions against UV rays and be careful of heatstroke.
Especially in the summer when the sun is strong, wear a hat and be sure to bring something to keep you hydrated.
“A 78-year-old woman who experienced it the other day said, “I never thought I would be able to enjoy marine sports on the lake with my grandchildren.It was a dream-like time.” “I received it,” Hasegawa-san told me.
What’s more, the 2-person pedal kayak and 4-person pedal boat allow you to ride with your dog. With the advent of easy-to-try marine sports, the ways to enjoy Lake Hamana are likely to expand even further!
Hot springs after activities
After enjoying pedal SUP or pedal kayaking, we recommend using the day trip natural hot springs at the adjacent Hotel Listel Hamanako.
The spacious public bath offers a magnificent view that makes you feel as if you are connected to Lake Hamana.
Relaxing in the open-air bath while looking out at Lake Hamana is a blissful moment. Please enjoy both the activities and the hot springs to fully enjoy your trip to Lake Hamana.
How to reserve a pedal kayak
The water activities introduced this time are pedal kayaks, pedal SUPs, and pedal boats at Lake Hamana, which are open from April to the end of October.
Business hours are 8:00-16:00 on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. It is also open on weekdays during Golden Week and summer vacation (from mid-July to the end of August), so it is recommended for long vacation trips.
Reservations can be made on the official website of Water Activities Lake Hamana or on external leisure introduction sites until 17:00 the day before. Be sure to make a reservation in advance, as same-day reservations are not possible.
For more information, please see the official website of Water Activities Lake Hamana.
Water activities Lake Hamana
〒431-1424
2251 Shimoona, Mikkabi-cho, Kita-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Hotel Listel Hamana Lake/Lake Square
TEL : 070-9146-9959
Fee :
[Single-seater pedal SUP] 5,600 yen (tax included)～ per person/1 hour
[2-seater pedal kayak] 7,600 yen (tax included)～ per boat/1 hour
[4-seater pedal boat] 11,800 yen (tax included)～ /1 hour per boat
Water Activities Lake Hamana official website is here (external link)
Hotel Listel Hamanako
〒431-1424
2251 Shimoona, Mikkabi-cho, Kita-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture
TEL : 053-525-122
Day trip hot spring fee :
[Adults (junior high school students and above)] 1,100 yen
[Child] 550 yen
Click here for Hotel Listel Hamanako official website (external link)
