About the Race
This race is held in the northern part of the Daisetsuzan mountain range, between the Kamikawa and Abashiri regions of Hokkaido. The town of Engaru is a little far away, about 1 to 2 hours by car from major cities, and the Shirataki area where the tournament headquarters is located is even farther from the center of Engaru town. The race is held in a place that is not easy to get to, but there are definitely experiences that can only be had in such a remote place.
In the Daisetsuzan Trail Journey, even the starting point is far from the city, but as you make your way along the trail, the signs of human life become even fainter. You are led along single-track trails that wind through the virgin forest, and even when you reach a clearing, it is not a place for humans, but an extraordinary natural environment. At the top of the steep mountain trail, the panoramic view stretches as far as the eye can see (hopefully on a beautiful day!), and you will realize that you can get to a place like this on your own two feet, and you will feel the animal strength that remains in your body.
This course includes a beautiful mountain ridge that is a special protected area of the Daisetsuzan National Park, and you will pass through the Hirayama Mountain Trail and the challenging mountains of Ariake and Tengu Dake on your way there.
The steps you take to progress there on your own, and then to overcome the difficult spots and return again, are truly a journey.
This is the only mountain trail running event held in the Daisetsuzan mountain range, which is representative of Hokkaido, and it is a competition where you can experience the great nature of Hokkaido in a remote and secluded area.
We look forward to your participation!
Daisetsuzan Trail Journey Race Office
Hiroya KON（Representative of EZO TRAIL）
Event overview
Event name
Daisetsuzan Trail Journey 2026 (DTJ 2026)
Event schedule（as of February 2, 2026）
Sunday, July 26, 2026
4:00AM – 60km start
7:00AM – 40km start
9:00AM – 15km start
6:00PM – goal time limit (40km/60km)
*The event will still take place if it will rain, but the organizers may change the route or cancel the event to keep the runners safe.
Location
Shirataki area of Engaru town
Kita Daisetsu mountain range
(Hokkaido prefecture, Japan)
Race category（as of February, 2026）
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.
Awards
60km/40km/15km The top 3 men and top 3 women will be awarded.
Entry period / Entry fee（as of February, 2026）
the deadline for regular entries is June 15
Please note that entries submitted after 16 June will incur a late fee.
The final deadline for entries is Tuesday, 30 June.
the participation fee and entry 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：RUNNET (comming soon)
- early bird discount
early March, 2026 – April 30 - regular period
May 1, 2026- June 15 (regular deadline) - late fee period
June 16, 2026 – June 30
for those reside outside Japan
Registration website：Run Japan (comming soon)
- fixed fee
early March, 2026 ～ June 30
| カテゴリー | 60km | 40km | 15km |
|---|---|---|---|
| capacity of runners | 250 | 250 | 100 |
| 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) | 160 USD | 130 USD | 100 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.
organizer
Daisetsuzan Trail Journey steering committee
cooperation
Asahikawa medical university, Higashikawa Language school, Hokuto Social Welfare Professional Training College
support
Asahikawa city, Engaru town
general producer
Hiroya KON (EZO TRAIL)
race office
Hiroya KON (EZO TRAIL)
〒071-1405 North 37, West 5-go, Higashikawa, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido, JAPAN
email: info@daisetsu-tj.com
tel: 080-4042-2777