Japan · Niigata
DEEP JAPAN ULTRA
Distance
160 km
Date
June 25, 2026
Entry fee
48,000 JPY
€ / km
€1.59
New date pending
This race has already occurred. A new date for next year’s edition is pending.
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.
Elevation and Terrain
Total Meters
10000m
D+/KM
62.5m/km
For context, the Tor des Géants 330 loop has 73 D+/km.
Avg Uphill Gradient
13.4%
Avg Downhill Gradient
-13.2%
Uphill gradient distribution
Route Profile
Analysed 2026-05-01Terrain breakdown
Climbs
Top climbs
13.6 km · 1274 m gain
starts km 145 · avg 9.4% · max 60.2%
7.3 km · 1076 m gain
starts km 54 · avg 14.8% · max 55.6%
4.0 km · 901 m gain
starts km 19 · avg 22.2% · max 70.1%
Top descents
13.5 km · 1273 m drop
starts km 63 · avg -9.4% · max -56.6%
13.7 km · 1214 m drop
starts km 23 · avg -8.9% · max -67.8%
8.3 km · 1084 m drop
starts km 159 · avg -13.0% · max -63.9%
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.
Race files
Logistics
Nearest airport
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.
