In autumn 2025, Japan hosted major international sporting events, including the World Athletics Championships and the Deaflympics. I was glued to the screen as Japanese records were broken one after another.
For anyone inspired to make exercise a regular habit once the weather warms up, the annual spring event “Setouchi Kurashiki Two Day March” will be held again this year on the second Saturday and Sunday of March.
Here’s an introduction to the walking routes and highlights of the 39th Setouchi Kurashiki Two Day March, for which registration opened on Monday, December 1, 2025.
The information presented here was current when this article was published in December 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is the 39th Setouchi Kurashiki Two Day March?
The Setouchi Kurashiki Two Day March is one of western Japan’s largest walking events, held in Kurashiki City since 1987.
The outline of the 39th Setouchi Kurashiki Two Day March is as follows.
| Dates | Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15, 2026 *Held rain or shine |
|---|---|
| Main venue | Kurashiki City Office (640 Nishinakashinden, Kurashiki City) |
| Participation fee | Adults: ¥2,000 (¥2,200 on the day) High school and junior high school students: ¥500 Elementary school students and younger: Free *The fee is the same whether participating for one day or both days |
| Eligibility | Walkers who can follow the event rules and walking etiquette *Children of elementary school age and younger must be accompanied by a guardian |
Please see below for registration methods.
- Online
For total participation fees up to ¥4,000, a ¥220 fee applies; for ¥4,001 or more, a fee of 5.3% of the total participation fees applies - By phone TEL: 0570-039-846 (Weekdays, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.)
Call charges and a Sports Entry fee (¥300) apply - By postal transfer
A payment slip (participation application form) is included with the flyer
Transfer fee applies - In person
- Kurashiki City Sports Promotion Division (Counter 11, 2nd floor, Kurashiki City Office main building)
8:30 a.m.–5:15 p.m. - Life Park Kurashiki and major Community Centers in the city (Kurashiki, Mizushima, Kojima, Tamashima, Mabi, Sho, Chayamachi, and Funao)
9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. - Life Park Kurashiki and major Community Centers in the city are closed on Mondays (if Monday is a public holiday, they are closed the next weekday)
*Payment by cash or PayPay is accepted
- Kurashiki City Sports Promotion Division (Counter 11, 2nd floor, Kurashiki City Office main building)
- Corporate and group registration
Download the corporate/group registration form from the official website and apply directly to the event office
・Groups of five or more may apply
・The company or group name will be listed at the main venue and on the event website, and participants will receive an original towel made exclusively for this event
The advance registration deadline is Saturday, January 31, 2026. Since registration is expected to be busy on the day, we recommend registering in advance.
Event routes
Please note that check-in and start times vary depending on the event route.
As one of western Japan’s largest walking events, it seems that many walkers from outside Kurashiki City take part, particularly in the longer-distance routes.
On Saturday, March 14, the Seto-Ohashi Bridge and Washuzan Hill route covers 40 km (38.4 km), while on Sunday, March 15, the Kibi no Makibi route covers 30 km (30.6 km).
Also, this year the destination of the 10 km route on Day 2 has changed from Sakazu Park to the Kurashiki Fureai-no-Oka Park route. In addition to visiting a park that just opened in October 2025, this appealing route lets you walk past tourist attractions and cherry blossom spots, including the Bikan Historical Area, Horinji Temple, and the Kawazu cherry trees along the Kurashiki River.
This route is also designated for the “Fureai Walk,” intended for walkers with disabilities and their families, so it is likely to be bustling with participants.
Partner events for the 39th event
The following partner events will be held as part of the 39th event.
- 39th Setouchi Kurashiki Two Day March Instagram Post Prize Draw
- Tourist Walk
- Fureai Walk
- Special Walk (held in Tsuyama on March 16, 2026)
- Walking Matchmaking — Kurashiki Town Walk and Mystery-Solving Matchmaking
Advance registration is required for all events except the “39th Setouchi Kurashiki Two Day March Instagram Post Prize Draw,” so if you’re interested, be sure to sign up early.
Interview with the organizer of the 39th Setouchi Kurashiki Two Day March
We spoke with Yamaji Tetsuya of the Kurashiki City Sports Promotion Division, who plans and runs the Setouchi Kurashiki Two Day March.
We heard that a new route has been added to this year’s Setouchi Kurashiki Two Day March.
Yamaji (surname only)
Kurashiki Fureai-no-Oka Park opened in Ariki, Kurashiki City, in October 2025. We thought some people may not have visited yet, so we’ve created a route that gives them a chance to see the new park.
The event will have a checkpoint at Kurashiki Fureai-no-Oka Park. The pork soup served at the checkpoint every year is planned to be prepared at the park’s outdoor stage in the event plaza. Please come and enjoy some delicious pork soup at the new park.
The new route also passes through the Bikan Historical Area and Horinji Temple on the way there, and alongside the Kawazu cherry trees along the Kurashiki River on the way back. It’s a fun route for the whole family, not just adults but children too.
We hope you’ll enjoy walking while taking in the arrival of spring.
The “hospitality” along each route, including the pork soup, is another highlight.
Yamaji
The pork soup is served free of charge. The hospitality is provided by volunteers from each area.
They help participants enjoy the walk and complete the course by offering free admission to local attractions, preparing snacks and original stamps, and more.
This year, Nozaki's Historical Residence has agreed to waive admission fees for participants in the Seto-Ohashi Bridge and Washuzan Hill route on the first day.
As you aim to complete the route, please also enjoy exchanging with local residents.
Last year, part of the Takahashi River route was changed and the distance increased. How did participants respond?
Yamaji
Last year, we added places such as Tori-machi Shopping Street to the Takahashi River route as new highlights. Although the actual distance for the 20 km route became 22.3 km, exceeding 20 km, the additional highlights were well received.
For participants, it seems that “what they can enjoy seeing along the way” matters more than the distance of the route. In response, we incorporated a variety of highlights along this year’s new Kurashiki Fureai-no-Oka Park route.
This year, as last year, the route will also visit Entsu-ji Temple and the Drum Can Bridge. It’s a hilly route, so it offers a good workout, and the view from Entsu-ji Temple is beautiful.
There are lots of partner events too.
Yamaji
Every year, all the events tend to reach capacity before the registration deadline.
The Tourist Walk on the first day and the Special Walk held on Monday, March 16, the day after the event, are especially popular, so please register early if you’re interested.
The Special Walk departs from the north exit of JR Kurashiki Station and heads to “Walking Through the Edo Period: A Route Around Tsuyama Castle Town,” selected for the “500 Beautiful Japanese Walking Routes” (33-7).
Finally, do you have a message for our readers?
Yamaji
On the day, local volunteers will offer hospitality at checkpoints along each route, and warmly cheer on participants as they make their way to the finish.
This event is perfect for getting outside and moving your body at this time of year, when you can feel spring arriving. Refresh your mind and body, and enjoy the signs of spring along even familiar roads—things you might miss from inside a car.
First-timers are very welcome. We look forward to receiving your applications.
From the Writer
I walked 10 km in both the 37th and 38th Setouchi Kurashiki Two Day March events.
On last year’s Genpei Historic Sites Course, original stamps and sweets were handed out at Fujito-ji Temple along the way. Even though I was in the middle of a walk, I enjoyed the sightseeing too, ringing the temple bell and praying at Fujito-ji Temple.
Every year, I take part in “Fureai Walk,” a partner event for people with disabilities held on the second day. Since this will be my third time this year, I had been wondering, “Are we going to Sakazu Park again?” So I’m excited to hear that the course has changed.
This walking event lets you discover new charms of Kurashiki City as you walk. It’s a perfect event for loosening up after your body has grown stiff during the cold months. Why not sign up early and look forward to the warm days of spring?
39th Setouchi Kurashiki Two Day March Information
| Name | 39th Setouchi Kurashiki Two Day March |
|---|---|
| Dates | March 14 (Sat) and 15 (Sun), 2026; starts at 7:00 a.m. (gathering times vary by course) *Advance registration is open until January 31 (Sat), 2026 (same-day registration also available) |
| Location | Meeting place: Kurashiki City Office Main Building |
| Participation fee (tax included) | Adults / 2,000 yen (2,200 yen for same-day registration) High school and junior high school students / 500 yen Elementary school students and younger / Free |
| Website | Setouchi Kurashiki Two Day March |
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