Daisetsuzan Trail Journey | Amazing trail running experience in Hokkaido, Japan

“Tread the path where the Kamuy breathe.”
Kamuy: The indigenous spirits of Hokkaido, as believed by the Aynu people.

The Daisetsuzan: Hokkaido’s iconic mountain range

Narrow hiking trails wind through the untouched wilderness of this alpine region.

This is the Hirayama Ridge in the northern part of the Daisetsuzan area. Home to a wealth of rare alpine flora, it has been designated a Special Protection Zone within Daisetsuzan National Park. Here, you can almost feel the presence of spirits and the Kamuy.

The hiking trails of the Northern Daisetsuzan range, including the Hirayama Ridge, are incorporated into the course of the 40km and 60km categories of the Daisetsuzan Trail Journey. This is the icon and identity of the event. As you cross the tree line, the wind blows freely through the open landscape. The panoramic view of the mountain range and the Hokkaido terrain stretching out before you, combined with the sight of various alpine plants thriving at your feet, will surely be an unforgettable experience.

While we have great respect for the elite runners who dash through these landscapes with such grace, this event is not just for them. We hope general trail runners, outdoor enthusiasts, and road runners who love the mountains—those who wish to journey through vast, rarely visited wilderness on foot—will come experience this world for themselves.
There, you will find a nature that is both harsh and severe yet also fragile, delicate, and beautiful.
These trails are a testament to humanity’s pioneering spirit and its efforts to coexist with nature. Thanks to these trails, people have come to know the nature of this land.

Our ability to experience nature depends on maintaining harmony between nature and humanity. We hope this event will provide an opportunity to enjoy nature and contribute to preserving the natural environment and the relationship between people and nature, even in a small way.
As you journey along the trail and around the mountains, you will experience Hokkaido’s nature with all five senses. You will also realize that it is the human hand that has contributed to this harmony and its preservation at the intersection of people and nature.
We would be delighted if many people could experience Hokkaido’s majestic nature and develop an interest in it.

We look forward to your participation!

The race begins at 4:00 a.m. on July 26, 2026, at the Kita-taisetsu Ski Resort in Shirataki, Engaru Town.

What’s New

Save the date: The Daisetsuzan Trail Journey 2026 is coming on July 26, 2026!

The great outdoors of the Daisetsuzan area awaits you. Come and experience what can only be found here. We look forward to welcoming lots of runners!

Name of the event

Daisetsuzan Trail Journey 2026 (DTJ 2026)

Schedule

Sunday, July 26, 2026
　4:00AM start of 60km
　7:00AM start of 40km
　9:00AM start of 15km
　6:00PM goal time limit (40km/60km)

*The event will still take place in the event of rain, but the organizers may change the route or cancel the event to keep the runners safe.

Registration period / Registration fee

the deadline for regular registration is June 15
Please note that entries submitted after June 16 will incur a late fee.
The final deadline for registration is June 30.

Please note

the registration fee and registration website differ depending on whether participants reside in Japan.

Even if you are a Japanese national, you must apply as an overseas participant if you do not reside in Japan.

for those reside in Japan

Registration website：

early bird discount
　from March 10, 2026 to April 30
regular period
　from May 1, 2026 to June 15 (regular deadline)
late fee period
　from June 16, 2026 to June 30

for those reside outside Japan

Registration website：

fixed fee
　from mid March, 2026 to June 30

スクロールできます

race category	60km	40km	15km
capacity of runners (*changed on April 12 for operational reasons )	~~250~~ 200	250	~~100~~ 250
early bird discount	17000 JPY	14000 JPY	6500 JPY
regular period	19000 JPY	16000 JPY	7500 JPY
late fee period	25000 JPY	20000 JPY	10000 JPY
overseas registration (for People not reside in Japan)	25000 JPY (equiv. 160 USD)	20000 JPY (equiv. 130 USD)	10000 JPY (equiv. 65 USD)

Once the payment procedure is complete, you cannot cancel your application, change the event, or return the participation fee associated with these. Please understand.

Location

Shirataki area of Engaru town
Kita Daisetsu mountain range
(Hokkaido prefecture, Japan)

Race category

60km (ITRA 3 point race)

distance: 59.3km / elevation gain: about 3185ｍ / trail rate 91.7%
　start: Kita-Taisetsu Skiing Ground
　finish: Kita-Taisetsu Skiing Ground
time limit：14hrs (4:00AM – 6:00PM)
number of aid stations: 3
nubmer of water stations: 2
capacity: 250 runners

40km (ITRA 2 point race)

distance: 39.9km / elevation gain: about 2090ｍ / trail rate 90.5%
　start: Kita-Taisetsu Skiing Ground
　finish: Kita-Taisetsu Skiing Ground
time limit：11hrs (7:00 – 18:00)
number of aid stations: 2
number of aid stations: 2
capacity: 250 runners

15km

distance: 14.3km / elevation gain: about 361ｍ / trail rate 65.7%
　start: Kita-Taisetsu Skiing Ground
　finish: Kita-Taisetsu Skiing Ground
time limit：3hrs – (9:00 – 12:00)
number of aid stations: 0
capacity: 100 runners
ITRA point: 0

Eligibility / Requirements

60km / 40km

Must be at least 18 years of age on the day of the race.
Must be confident that you can complete the entire course within the time limit without getting lost (The entire course is marked with trail markers to prevent getting lost, but not all of them are manned by guides. Participants must understand that it is their responsibility to understand the course map distributed in advance and to check the markings while running.)
Participants must understand that traffic and communication conditions on the course are extremely poor and must be able to prepare appropriate equipment and take appropriate action on their own responsibility in response to any problems that may arise during the race (altitude, weather, mental, physical).
Participants must be fully aware that the race will take place in a natural environment within a national park where valuable flora and fauna can be seen, and they must fully understand the race rules to minimize environmental impact and management that takes into account users other than event participants.

60km

While previous completion of other trail races is not a requirement, it is preferable that you have experience completing trail races of 30km or more or road races of 40km or more.

40km

While previous completion of other trail races is not a requirement, it is preferable that you have experience completing trail races of 20km or more or road races of 30km or more.

15km

Must be in junior high school or older on the day of the tournament
It is preferable to have experience running more than 10 km continuously.

The journey begins on the vast Tengu-daira Plateau and continues to the peaks of the distant Kita-Daisetsu Mountains before returning to the starting line.

The mountains emerge in the morning mist, illuminated by the sunlight.
You run toward the distant peak through the deep forest
cutting through the cold, clear air.

The view from the ridge and memories of your long journey
will stay in your heart.

The Daisetsuzan Trail Journey starts at the Kita-taisetsu Ski Resort, about 1.5 hours by car from Asahikawa, and follows the ridge between Hira-yama and Tengu-dake mountains, as well as the forest roads and mountain trails that connect them. This is the only trail running race in Hokkaido that includes the Daisetsuzan mountain range in its course, and the ridge from Hira-yama to Himara-yama, which is part of the 40km and 60km courses, is part of the special protection area of the Daisetsuzan National Park. The highest point on the course is approximately 1811 meters above the forest line in Hokkaido.

The 40km (middle) course is a course that packs all the excitement of the main event into just under 40km, and we consider it the main event. Starting at the former Kita-daisetsu ski resort, the course runs along a forest road, then crosses the Hirayama Ridge and the two peaks of Ariake and Tengu before returning to the ski resort. The 40km trail is not quite long enough to be called a long trail, but it offers a good variety of terrain, including road, gravel/gravel forest roads, singletrack over tree roots, ridge lines, steep climbs and descents, bamboo thickets,
and scree slopes, the trail offers a variety of challenging situations to keep runners entertained.

The 60km (long) course is an expert level course consisting of two loops and a ridge line connecting the two. It is a tough route that takes you over three major peaks, including the steep Ariake-yama and Tengu-dake that represents the course, before returning to the finish line. After running around Tengu-daira in the early morning mist, you enter the mountainous area by climbing the steep slope from the ski resort to reach Tengu-dake. From the middle of the course, you will follow the 40km course.

The 15 km (short) course is mainly a forest trail with small ups and downs and is suitable for beginners. The time limit is 3 hours. If you can run 10km on the road, you should be able to run this course without any problems. Why not join this race not only to compete for time, but also to enjoy a leisurely run on the gentle and wide trail of Tengudaira? Also, since it’s still before noon after you finish running, we recommend taking a break and then hiking up from Kita-Taisetsui Ski Ground to Tengu-dake.