It was my first time bowling in Japan, and in Kyoto no less. It was quite surreal being the only foreigners here at Lapyuta Bowl.
Doing anything for the first time in a country whose language you don’t speak is always a daunting experience. Luckily, we’ve been bowling before and know just enough Japanese to navigate our way through Lapyuta Bowl.
A Trip to Al Plaza
Located in the eastern part of Uji in a shopping complex called Al Plaza, Lapyuta Bowl can be found on the highest floor, open til 11 pm daily.
Big English signs saying “Lapyuta Bowl” are all over the entrance, but sadly, that’s all the English you’re gonna get!
For those that don’t speak Japanese, I’d recommend Google Lens to translate the signs and to communicate with some of the staff for any questions you may have.
Overall, it’s a straightforward process though. Like any bowling center, you simply choose how many games you wish to play and let the staff know your shoe size.
Nice Setup
Each bowling lane is abundant in seats and tables, making it suitable for parties of any size. There are remote controls to edit player names and a phone for emergencies. I had to use the phone once to call the staff when the pins weren’t being reset, only to learn that there is a reset button you can press in such cases that fixes the issue!
Cool Designs
I’ve seen my fair share of cool bowling ball designs, but Lapyuta Bowl has some unique artistic patterns that are truly memorable.
From starry galaxies to rainbow patterns, my favorite would have to be the watermelon design! Needless to say, I had the most success with this size 10 ball.
Like any bowling center, you can choose from a range of bowling ball sizes, designs, and even the depth and distance between the finger holes.
Plenty of Bowling Lanes
Lapyuta Bowl is vast and spacious with about 30 bowling lanes across the complex. In typical Japan fashion, there were plenty of elderly people getting into the action, and I assure you they didn’t need the assistant slide to bowl! Speaking of Japan things, there are plenty of vending machines at this center too where you can get drinks and ice cream at the lowest prices.
A Night to Remember!
All in all it was a night of fun and adrenaline (not to mention a little awkward being the only foreigners in the whole place).
Nevertheless, I’d say that’s what it takes to be a trailblazer in life. Venturing into the unknown and not being afraid to be seen as an alien.
I had a pretty good run at Lapyuta Bowl despite not playing in a while, besting my opponent (my brother) by 10 points!
A night to remember indeed. If you’re craving a good old game of bowling in Japan, I highly recommend Lapyuta Bowl in Uji’s Al Plaza for a memorable experience.
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