Japan · Niigata
Deep Japan Ultra 160km: Niigata's Most Extreme Mountain Race — 62.5 m/km, ITRA Qualification Required, Sold Out Since February
Informations clés
Distance
160 km
Date
Droit d’inscription
48,000 JPY
€ / km
€1.59
Nouvelle date en attente
Cette course a déjà eu lieu. La date de la prochaine édition est en attente.
Deep-mountain ultra: remote ridges, village-to-village grit, and a long Niigata course that rewards mountain resilience and comfort in serious point-to-point terrain.
Deep Japan Ultra 160km is a point-to-point mountain race through the remote Niigata highlands in Japan, starting June 25, 2026, from Otochiyama, Uonuma City. The 160km course gains 10,000m over 160km — 62.5m per kilometre — placing it among the most elevation-dense courses in the DTR database. Distance-weighted average gradients are 13.39% uphill and 13.24% downhill; only 19.0% of the course is flat, and 14.31km sits above 20% gradient. Entry costs ¥48,000 JPY (approximately €1.59/km per the DTR AUTO calculation) and is qualification-gated — a minimum of 10 ITRA points is required. The 2026 edition is sold out. The course traverses remote mountain ridges and traditional Niigata villages, with aid stations up to 28km apart. A Plan B 80km course activates in extreme weather. June race timing coincides with Japan's rainy season (tsuyu), with daytime highs up to 33°C recorded in past editions. Nearest airport is Niigata KIJ, approximately 114 minutes from the start. First held in 2022 — approximately its fourth edition in 2026 — the race logged 63 finishers in 2025. Asia Trail Master series event. Suits highly experienced ultra runners comfortable with remote navigation, self-sufficiency, heat, and extreme gradient.
Élévation et Terrain
Mètres totaux
10,000m
D+/KM
62.5m/km
Pour référence, le Tor des Géants 330 km a 73 D+/km.
Pente montante moyenne
13.4%
Pente descendante moyenne
-13.2%
Distribution du gradient de montée
| 2–5% | 18.8 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 18 km | |
| 10–15% | 11.3 km | |
| 15–20% | 7.2 km | |
| 20%+ | 14.3 km |
Profil de parcours
AnalysedDétail du terrain
| 40.2% | Montée |
|---|---|
| 19% | Plat |
| 40.7% | Descente |
Ascensions
Principales montées
| Rank | Length | Elevation gain | Start km | Average gradient | Max gradient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13.6 km · 1274 m gain starts km 145 · avg 9.4% · max 60.2% | ||||
| 2 | 7.3 km · 1076 m gain starts km 54 · avg 14.8% · max 55.7% | ||||
| 3 | 4.1 km · 901 m gain starts km 19 · avg 22.2% · max 70.1% |
Principales descentes
| Rank | Length | Elevation drop | Start km | Average gradient | Max gradient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13.5 km · 1273 m drop starts km 63 · avg -9.4% · max -56.6% | ||||
| 2 | 13.7 km · 1214 m drop starts km 23 · avg -8.9% · max -67.8% | ||||
| 3 | 8.3 km · 1084 m drop starts km 159 · avg -13% · max -63.9% |
Deep Japan Ultra 160km: Niigata's Most Extreme Mountain Race — 62.5 m/km, ITRA Qualification Required, Sold Out Since February
How Hard Is the Deep Japan Ultra 160km? (62.5 m/km, 14 km at 20%+, and a 1,274 m Climb at km 145)▼
Q: How hard is the Deep Japan Ultra 160km? | A: Extremely hard. The course covers 160km with 10,000m of gain (62.5m/km) through remote Niigata mountain ridges, with only 19% flat terrain and 14.31km at 20%+ gradient. Distance-weighted average gradients are 13.39% uphill and 13.24% downhill. A 1,274m climb arrives at km 145 — after 145km and roughly 40 hours on course. 46-hour time limit; estimated ~50% DNF rate.
Who Should Run the Deep Japan Ultra 160km?▼
Q: What qualifications do you need to enter the Deep Japan Ultra 160km? | A: A minimum of 10 ITRA points from a maximum of 3 races within the eligibility window, or 6+ ITRA points from a single race. The minimum age is 20. These requirements apply to the 160km distance — the 80km and 30km distances have different rules. Verify current requirements at deepjapanultra.com/regulations-en before applying.
€1.59/km for a Qualification-Gated, Asia Trail Master 160km: What Deep Japan Ultra Actually Costs▼
Q: Is the Deep Japan Ultra 2026 sold out? | A: Yes — the 2026 edition is sold out. The entry window ran from September 26, 2025 to February 27, 2026, and is now closed. The race sells out despite its small field (~63 finishers in 2025) and qualification requirements. Watch the official site (deepjapanultra.com) for 2027 registration opening.
Getting to Deep Japan Ultra: Niigata (KIJ), the Uonuma Highlands, and Why You Need to Plan Ahead▼
Q: Which airport should I use for the Deep Japan Ultra 160km? | A: Niigata Airport (KIJ) is the closest airport at approximately 114 minutes from the Uonuma start area. Public transport via bullet train to Urasa or Koide plus an official shuttle is feasible but requires advance planning. The race start area has limited accommodation (rural onsen lodges) — book early. The race is not flagged as FAR but logistics are non-trivial for international runners.
Fichiers de course
Logistique
Aéroport le plus proche
Niigata (KIJ)
Notes
Start: ~2–3 hrs by car or train+shuttle to the Uonuma race area / Public transport: workable via Urasa or Koide plus official shuttle options, but timing is less simple than Japan’s bigger city races / Accommodation: limited local lodges and onsen bases make early booking smart, especially if you want to stay close to Irihirose.
