Bitchu Totomichi was a route used from the Meiji era through the early Showa era to deliver fresh fish from Kanoura in Kasaoka City to Fukiya in Takahashi City.
Much of Totomichi was too narrow for vehicles, so over time it disappeared into the forest. The Bitchu Totomichi Trail Promotion Council has unearthed and restored Totomichi, which had disappeared into the forest, and is undertaking various initiatives to make use of the route.
We spoke with Kaneko Haruhiko, secretary-general of the Bitchu Totomichi Trail Promotion Council, about the “Bitchu Totomichi Trail Run,” a new initiative making use of Totomichi.
The information presented here is current as of the article’s publication in September 2026. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is the “Bitchu Totomichi Trail Run”?
The Bitchu Totomichi Trail Run will be held on Sunday, January 24, 2027.
Set on Totomichi, the event aims to showcase the appeal of its history, local communities, and food, while promoting new sports tourism unique to Bitchu and revitalizing the region.
See the image below for an overview of the Bitchu Totomichi Trail Run. Registration is open from Monday, September 14, 2026, through Sunday, December 27, 2026.
Two courses: long and short
The Bitchu Totomichi Trail Run offers two courses, long and short, with different entry fees and details.
| Long | Short | |
|---|---|---|
| Fee | ¥17,000 ※¥8,000 for participants aged 25 and under | ¥10,500 ※¥5,000 for participants aged 25 and under |
| Starting point | Kanoura Elementary School (Kasaoka City) | Chusei Yume-ga-hara (Bisei Town, Ibara City) |
| Start time | 6:45 a.m. | 9:45 a.m. |
| Course length | 57 km (total elevation gain: 1,365 m) | 32 km (total elevation gain: 792 m) |
| Capacity | 400 people | 300 people |
There are also eligibility requirements, so be sure to check them in advance.
Interview with Kaneko Haruhiko of the Bitchu Totomichi Trail Promotion Council
We spoke with Kaneko Haruhiko, secretary-general of the Bitchu Totomichi Trail Promotion Council.
Could you tell us how the event came about?
Kaneko (honorific omitted)
The Totomichi Walk, which has been held since 2018, was organized with the primary aim of introducing Totomichi to seniors of the same generation as the council members.
For the walk, the 60-kilometer route was divided into three sections, so participants could complete the entire route by walking it three times. As a result, the number of people who had participated three times and walked the entire Totomichi increased, and attendance at the walking event began to decline.
After considering the situation and discussing it with members of the Kurashiki UNESCO Association, we concluded that we needed to hold an event that would appeal to young people capable of running the entire Totomichi in one go, and decided to go ahead.
Since trail running is new to us in so many ways, both the relevant organizations and our team are scrambling to keep up, but we have been preparing since September 2025.
What kind of people would you like to take part?
Kaneko
As a basic requirement, it would be preferable to have experience running a full marathon.
Trail running involves covering a long distance within a time limit, so it requires stamina.
When we looked into the age range of trail runners, we found it was 40 to 60. We want lots of young people to take part, so participants aged 25 and under pay half the entry fee.
Do you have a message for participants?
Kaneko
I want people to discover the world of Bitchu.
I think that you can’t understand it without going there and walking or running on the ground.
I hope people will experience the world of Bitchu, which has continued since ancient times. I also hope they will take time to appreciate the scenery along the course.
Do you have any thoughts as you prepare to hold the trail run?
Kaneko
I believe roads endure because people walk or run on them, so I want to keep protecting roads that inspire people to do so. I also hope to preserve Totomichi for the future with a broader perspective.
Through the trail run, I hope young people will come along who want to help protect Totomichi.
From the Writer
Apparently, after the prolonged rains around June 2026, half of the route was on the verge of collapsing. Kaneko said that this made him keenly aware of how difficult it is to protect the route.
However, he spoke positively, saying that the threat of the route collapsing gave local residents a chance to learn about Totomichi again, helping the organizers gain greater local understanding and hold the event.
When we previously covered Totomichi, Kaneko described it as “a route where the different histories, cultures, and natural environments of the north and south intertwine.”
Why not enjoy running the 60-kilometer Totomichi, with its contrasting northern and southern landscapes?
Bitchu Totomichi Trail Run
Date:
Sunday, January 24, 2027
Entry fee:
Long (57 km): ¥17,000
Short (32 km): ¥10,500
Website:
Bitchu Totomichi Trail Run
https://totomichi-trailrun.com/
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※Participants under 18 must have parental consent