The Bichu Tocotoco Road was a route used from the Meiji to early Showa periods to deliver fresh fish from the Seto Inland Sea from Kanihara in Kasaoka City to Fukiya in Takahashi City.
Many parts of the Tocotoco Road were narrow and could not accommodate vehicles, so over time, they disappeared into the forest. The Bichu Tocotoco Road Trail Promotion Council is excavating and maintaining the Tocotoco Road that has disappeared into the forest and is engaged in various initiatives utilizing the Tocotoco Road.
We spoke with Haruhiko Kaneko, the Secretary-General of the Bichu Tocotoco Road Trail Promotion Council, about the new initiative called "Bichu Tocotoco Road Trail Run."
What is the "Bichu Tocotoco Road Trail Run"
The "Bichu Tocotoco Road Trail Run" will be held on January 24, 2027 (Sunday).
The event aims to promote a new form of sports tourism unique to Bichu by showcasing the history, local culture, and gourmet offerings along the Tocotoco Road.
Please check the following image for the details of the Bichu Tocotoco Road Trail Run. The entry period is from September 14, 2026 (Monday) to December 27, 2026 (Sunday).
There are two courses: long and short
The "Bichu Tocotoco Road Trail Run" features two courses: long and short, with different participation fees and content.
| Long | Short | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 17,000 yen ※8,000 yen for those under 25 | 10,500 yen ※5,000 yen for those under 25 |
| Start Point | Kanihara Elementary School (Kasaoka City) | Chusei Yumegahara (Ibara City, Bisei-cho) |
| Start Time | 6:45 AM | 9:45 AM |
| 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 participation qualifications, so please check them in advance.
Interview with Haruhiko Kaneko of the Bichu Tocotoco Road Trail Promotion Council
We spoke with Haruhiko Kaneko, the Secretary-General of the Bichu Tocotoco Road Trail Promotion Council.
Can you tell us about the background of the event?
Kaneko (no honorifics)
Since 2018, the Tocotoco Walk has been held with the primary goal of introducing the Tocotoco Road to seniors of the same generation as the council members.
The walk is divided into three sections of 60 km, allowing participants to complete the entire route by walking three times. As a result, the number of people who have walked the Tocotoco Road after participating three times has increased, leading to a decline in participants for the walk event.
Considering the current situation, discussions with the Kurashiki UNESCO Association led to the conclusion that it was necessary to hold an event that would attract young people with the ability to run through the Tocotoco Road in one go, and thus the decision to hold the event was made.
Since trail running is a completely new endeavor, both the related organizations and we are a bit flustered, but we have been preparing since September 2025.
What kind of participants are you hoping for?
Kaneko
As a basic condition, it is desirable to have experience running a full marathon.
Trail running requires toughness as it involves running long distances within a time limit.
When we looked into the age range of trail runners, it was found to be between 40 and 60 years old.
We would like many young people to participate, so participants under 25 will have their entry fee halved.
Do you have a message for those who will participate?
Kaneko
I want people to know the world of Bichu.
To understand it, I believe you need to go there and walk or run on the ground.
I hope you can experience the long-standing world of Bichu. Also, I hope you will reflect on the scenery around the course.
Do you have any enthusiasm for the upcoming trail run?
Kaneko
I believe that roads remain because people walk or run on them, so I want to continue to protect roads that people feel that way about. I also want to maintain the Tocotoco Road with a broader perspective for the future.
I hope that young people who want to protect the Tocotoco Road, considering the trail run, will emerge.
Conclusion
It seems that during the long rains around June 2026, half of the road was on the verge of collapsing. Kaneko expressed that he felt the difficulty of protecting the road.
However, he positively mentioned that the potential collapse of the road allowed local people to become reacquainted with the Tocotoco Road, leading to greater community understanding and the ability to hold the event.
Previously, when he was interviewed about the Tocotoco Road, Kaneko described it as a road where "different histories, cultures, and nature intertwine from north to south."
Why not enjoy running along the 60 km Tocotoco Road, which showcases different landscapes from north to south?
Bichu Tocotoco Road Trail Run
Date:
January 24, 2027 (Sunday)
Participation Fee:
Long (57 km): 17,000 yen
Short (32 km): 10,500 yen
Web Page:
Bichu Tocotoco Road Trail Run
https://totomichi-trailrun.com/
※Those under 18 require parental consent