11th Biwako Valley Skyrun

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Concept
- To raise interest in the Hira Mountains, a symbol of Otsu City, and in mountain climbing as a healthy form of exercise.
- To promote Otsu City's natural environment and culture, and the splendor of Biwako Valley's scenery nationwide through this outdoor event.

Date: Saturday and Sunday, June 6th and 7th, 2026

Organizer: Biwako Valley Skyrun Executive Committee

Planning: Skyrunning Japan LLC

Supported by: Biwako Valley

Sponsored by: Shiga Prefecture, Otsu City, Otsu City Athletic Association, Lake Biwa Otsu Tourism Association, Shiga Prefecture Mountaineering Federation, Shiga Lakestars Baseball Team, Biwako Sports Club

 

Courses and Categories

 

Day 1: Vertical (Ascent)

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❶ Vertical (Experience Category/Beginner)
Summary: Take on the challenge of climbing directly to the summit of Mt. Uchimi!
Course: 4km / +880m
Checkpoints: Finish within 3 hours
Eligibility: Healthy men and women aged 12 and above
Fee: ¥6,000 (Insurance and one-way ropeway ticket included)
Benefits: One-way ropeway descent ticket (value ¥3,500) included
*No rankings will be awarded, but individual times will be measured and a certificate will be issued.

 

❷ Vertical (Parent-Child Division/Beginner)
Overview: A race that ascends directly to the summit of Mt. Uchimi
Course: 4km / +880m
Checkpoints: Finish within 2 hours and 30 minutes
Eligibility: Elementary school students and a guardian aged 18 or older (does not have to be a parent)
Fee: ¥9000 for two people (insurance included)
Benefits: One-way ropeway descent ticket (value: ¥3,500) included
Winners: 1st-3rd place overall (regardless of gender)

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❸ Vertical (General Division/Beginner)
Summary: A race that ascends directly to the summit of Mt. Uchimi
Course: 4km/+880m
Checkpoints: Finish within 2 hours
Qualifications: Healthy men and women aged junior high school and above
Fee: ¥7,000 (insurance included)
Benefits: One-way ropeway descent ticket (value: ¥3,500) included
Winners: 1st-3rd place overall

 

❹ Vertical (Elite Division = JSA-registered athletes + international athletes)
Summary: VK Open World Cup (also as V GAMES JAPAN)
Course: 4km / +880m
Checkpoints: Finish within 2 hours
Qualifications: Healthy men and women aged 12 and above
Fee: 7,000 yen (insurance included)
Benefits: One-way ropeway descent ticket (value: 3,500 yen) included
Awards: 1st-3rd place overall / 1st-3rd place in each age group

Day 2: Sky (Ascent & Descent)

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❶ Mini Race (Kids & Experience Division / Beginner & Introductory)
Summary: Beginner's Edition! Experience the thrill of racing for the first time!
Distance: 2km / ±100m
Time Limit: 30-minute time limit
Qualifications: Elementary school students and older (adults welcome) / Healthy participants
Fee: ¥3,000 (insurance included) *Ropeway ticket not included
Awards: 1st-3rd place for lower grades, middle grades, upper grades, and junior high school students
*High school students and older are not eligible for awards

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❷ Sky Short (General Division / Intermediate)
Summary: Technical downhill skills are required (ascent and descent) / U 23 Series (SJS)
Distance: 13.5km / ±1300m
Checkpoints: 1 checkpoint along the way / Time limit: 4 hours
Eligibility: High school students and older / Healthy individuals with mountaineering experience
Fee: ¥8,000 (insurance included)
Benefits: Round-trip ropeway ticket and admission to Biwako Terrace (value: ¥5,000) included
Awards: 1st-3rd place overall / 1st-3rd place youth (under 23)

 

❸ Sky Long (General / Advanced)
Summary: Highly technical downhill skills are required (ascent and descent)
Distance: 22km / ±2200m
*In case of bad weather, Plan B: Same course as the Short division
Checkpoints: 2 checkpoints along the way / Time limit: 4 hours 30 minutes
Eligibility: 18 years of age or older (on the day of the event) / Healthy individuals with mountain racing experience
*This is a steep and technical course. Beginners are not permitted.
Price: ¥10,000 (includes insurance and round-trip ropeway ticket)
Benefits: Round-trip ropeway ticket and admission to Biwako Terrace (value: ¥5,000) included
Awards: 1st-3rd place overall

 

❹ Sky Long (Elite Division = JSA registered participants + international runners)
Overview: Skyrunner Japan Series (SJS)
Distance: 22km / ±2,200m
*In case of bad weather, Plan B: Same course as the Short Division
Checkpoints: 2 along the way / Time limit: 4 hours 30 minutes
Eligibility: 18 years of age or older (on the day of the event) / Healthy participants with mountain race experience
*This is a steep and technical course. Beginners are not permitted to participate.
Price: ¥10,000 (includes insurance and round-trip ropeway ticket)
Benefits: Round-trip ropeway ticket and admission to Biwako Terrace (value ¥5,000) included
Awards: 1st-3rd place overall (and other age-group awards)

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Required Equipment

 

In fair weather: Windproof jacket (1) + bib number + cell phone (smartphone)
In bad weather: (Additional) waterproof jacket (top and bottom) + emergency blanket
*Specific required equipment will be announced on the website the day before the event.
*This equipment is also required for general mountain climbing, so rentals are not available.
*Jackets and cell phones (smartphones) are required for the mini race. This is not a special event.

 

Participation Prizes

 

❶ Ropeway Ticket
- ​​Vertical: One-way ticket (for descending)
- Skyrace: Round-trip ticket (for sightseeing)
* Vertical: One-way ticket
* Skyrace: Round-trip ticket distributed at registration
❷ Various sponsorship items from event partners
❸ Record Certificate (for finishers)

 

Application

 

February 1 - May 17, 2026
Sports Entry

 

 

Capacity

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Vertical: 300 participants total (first served)
Skyrace: 300 participants total (first served)

 

Basic Precautions

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● Please cooperate in organizing the event with consideration for the natural environment, safety, and participants.
● Competitors are fully aware of the risks inherent in natural events, and participate at their own risk in the event of injury, illness, or accident. The organizers will provide first aid, but are not responsible for any injuries or illnesses suffered by participants. (Please only participate if you agree to the terms of your own responsibility.)
● The event may be canceled if it is determined that participants or staff are at risk due to the spread of infectious diseases, weather conditions, earthquakes, or other disasters. In such cases, the event organizers will determine and implement measures to minimize the disadvantage to participants and the event organizers, such as transferring participants to the next event, refunding participants minus necessary expenses, or providing points. Please be aware of this in advance.
● Refunds will not be given for cancellations for personal reasons after registration (after payment of the participation fee). In addition, refunds will not be given for participants who are unable to participate due to travel restrictions in certain areas.
● Please be aware that the course is not exclusively for the event and is also used by the general public, and do not obstruct their passage. When overtaking or passing other climbers, please consider safety by stopping or slowing down, and give priority to pedestrians.
● The course is an environmentally friendly area. Stay on the course. Do not litter. Furthermore, you are prohibited from collecting or damaging any plants, animals, fungi, rocks, etc. on the course or in any other area. Please use only designated toilets.
● Access to the venue is by car or the local bus from JR Shiga Station (there is no shuttle bus exclusively for participants). A parking fee of 1,000 yen (per car) is available exclusively to participants. If you plan to drive, please be sure to select this option when registering. A parking ticket will be sent to you one week prior to the event. Please leave your parking ticket in a visible location when entering Biwako Valley. If you are driving, please park in the designated parking lot (Participant Parking Lot (Parking Lot 11)). Please arrive early as the area around the venue may be crowded due to the weekend.
● While there will be space to leave your luggage at the registration desk, please keep your valuables safe and secure. Toilets are available at the starting point, Biwako Valley Summit Station, and Sanroku Station. For lunch, please use the restaurants and other facilities at Biwako Valley. Please be mindful not to soil the facilities with mud, etc.