Salomon 4100D Mountain Trail in Nozawa Onsen
This trail run is in the traditional hot spring village and Olympic ski town of Nozawa Onsen. There are long (65 kilometers), middle (37 kilometers) and short (14 kilometers) courses and participants can run solo, as a pair or in a group.
- When: July 17
- Where: Nozawa Onsen, Nagano
- Web: s-mountain.com/nozawa
This entry-level race is designed to give newbies a feel of an Original Mountain Marathon (OMM) navigational race in the mountainous Hakuba Region. The OMM Lite is a two-day race with some off-trail areas, but most is on trail with teams of two to five people. Families and friends who are not participating can camp with racers in the overnight camping area. The OMM Bike (the cycling version of OMM Lite) will be held simultaneously.
- When: July 23-24
- Where: Otari, Nagano
- Web: theomm.jp
This 14-kilometer race starts at Kutchan—the Potato Festival will be held here simultaneously—and runs mainly on flat roads until the Kutchan Agricultural High School. From there, climb a wide mountain road. The last two-kilometer stretch becomes a single lane with a steep slope until the goal at the border between Kutchan and Niseko towns.
- When: Aug. 7
- Where: Kutchan, Hokkaido
- Web: nisekohillclimb.com
Mt. Rokko Trail Run and Summer Picnic
This trail run is held on Mountain Day in Japan at Mt. Rokko, which overlooks Osaka Bay. The 28-kilometer course goes up to 1,750 meters and takes about six hours, while the 10K race reaches 300 meters and takes about four hours. There is also a family-friendly rogaining challenge held the same day.
- When: Aug. 11
- Where: Kobe Municipal Arboretum, Hyogo
- Web: actrep-sports.com/mt-rokko-picnic
This cross-country trail run starts at the Akagi Rink Community Center in the middle of Mt. Akagi. Climb to approximately 1,000 meters above sea level before reaching the summit of Mt. Omine. Runners can sign up for one loop (13 kilometers) or run the same course in reverse (26 kilometers).
- When: Aug. 21
- Where: Showa, Gunma
- Web: samuraisports.org
Offroad Triathlon in Shobudani
Shobudani is a popular cycling and driving route in Hyogo. Racers can sign up for the full triathlon (swim 1,200 meters, cycle 13 kilometers and trail run eight kilometers) or go for the relay or lite options.
- When: Aug. 28
- Where: Shobudani Forest Park, Hyogo
- Web: tatunomtb.blog74.fc2.com
Run from spa to sky in Yamagata. The run starts from Zao Onsen’s hot spring town and heads up to the 1,840-meter Mt. Zao. You’ll also pass by the vivid-colored Lake Okama.
- When: Sept. 3-4
- Where: Zao Onsen, Yamagata
- Web: zaoskyrun.com
NAC Trail Run and Niseko Gravel
Hokkaido’s first trail run returns for its 21st race. Choose between a hardcore 30-kilometer mountain course, a shorter 10K run and a 5K serene forest trail course. The Niseko Gravel is a mixed-surface ride taking adventure cyclists through forest roads, gravel climbs and iconic Hokkaido farm trails.
- When: Sept. 4
- Where: Niseko, Hokkaido
- Web: nacadventures.jp/events/nac-trail-run-in-niseko
- nisekogravel.com
Challenge yourself to Japan’s toughest one-day cycling event, which follows a 160-kilometer circuit around Myoko-Togakushi Renzan National Park. The trail has a 4000-meter elevation and 30 kilometers of off-road sections. The race starts and ends at Myoko Ikenotaira Ski Resort, where you can unwind with beer and music.
- When: Sept. 17
- Where: Myoko-Togakushi Renzan National Park, Niigata
- Web: gfmyoko.com
This is one of Japan’s largest triathlons. It’s a flat, fast course with a protected estuary for the two-kilometer swim, a straight route for cycling (90 kilometers) and running (21 kilometers) making it great for beginners.
- When: Sept. 18
- Where: Ichinomiya, Chiba
- Web: samuraisports.org
This triathlon is ranked the top Olympic-distance triathlon in Japan and the third overall triathlon in Japan by Triathlon Lumina magazine. The race begins at Oyahama Beach with two laps of 750 meters (wetsuits required). Athletes will ride two laps on a challenging 40-kilometer bike course featuring rolling hills and four tunnels. The run consists of two five-kilometer laps along coastal roads.
- When: Sept. 24
- Where: Shima, Mie
- Web: samuraisports.org
Montbell’s popular Sea to Summit race series aims to help invigorate local areas, holding events where participants can experience nature through canoeing, cycling, trekking and other means of human-powered movement.
- When and Where:
July 16-17: Myoko, Niigata
July 23-24: Bizen, Okayama
Aug. 20-21: Asahidake, Hokkaido
Sept. 10-11: Mt. Chokai, Yamagata
Sept. 23-24: Lake Biwa, Shiga
Oct. 8-9: Kamimachi, Miyagi
Oct. 15-16: Chikuma River, Nagano
Nov. 12-13: Kihoku, Mie - Web: seatosummit.jp
