12th Minobusan / Shichimensan Ascetic Run - Monk's Run

Minobu, Japan

Sunday, December 6, 2026

Choose your distance

40K· €54

Distance

40km

Climb

Mountainous·2,700m

Start Time

07:40

Cutoff

8 hours (13.9km at 2:30, 19km at 5:00, 25.5km at 5:40)

Terrain

Trail

Difficulty

Advanced

Max Runners

800

Overview

The long course climbs through the sacred grounds of Minobusan and Shichimensan, taking in around 2,700 metres of accumulated ascent on mountain trails. It is held in winter and the organisers recommend it for runners with the fitness to complete a full marathon in about four hours.

Runs through the sacred grounds of Minobusan and Shichimensan
Around 2,700 metres of accumulated climbing on the 40km course
Start and finish in the temple town in front of Minobusan Kuonji
Bath and Minobu manju waiting after the run

The practical side

Qualification

The 40km long course is recommended for healthy men and women aged 18 or over with the fitness and speed to complete a full marathon in roughly four hours. The 13km short course is open to junior high school students and older, and participants of high school age or younger need parental consent.

Start / Finish

Start

Nakamachi Parking Lot, Monzenmachi Shopping Street, in front of the approach to Minobusan Kuonji

Finish

Nakamachi Parking Lot, Monzenmachi Shopping Street, in front of the approach to Minobusan Kuonji

Terrain

Mountain trail through the sacred grounds of Minobusan and Shichimensan, with long sustained climbs and descents in winter conditions.

Route

A 40km route linking the temple town of Minobusan with Shichimensan, with roughly 2,700 metres of accumulated climbing. Checkpoints stand at 13.9km (Hagoromo), 19km and 25.5km (Kadose). Start and finish are both at the Nakamachi parking lot in the Monzenmachi shopping street.

Expo

Eve festival on Saturday 5 December from 16:30 at the Nakamachi parking lot, with a talk show by Hiroki Ishikawa and guests.

Race Day

Number cards and timing chips are sent by post in advance, so there is no need to collect them on the day. Reception for the 40km runs 06:00 to 07:00 and the short course 07:45 to 08:30. Opening ceremony at 07:10 for the 40km and 08:30 for the 13km. Bring your My Number health insurance card and submit the participation pledge at reception.

Good to know

What you get

Finisher t-shirt

Chip timing

Participation prize: T-shirt and local specialty products (planned)

Sports injury insurance arranged by the organiser

Shop on site

Provisional results published for all finishers

Finisher certificateYes. A record certificate is provided and provisional results are published for every finisher. There is no printed results booklet.

Food after the finishMinobu manju is served, and participants can take a bath after the run.

On the day

Bag drop

Merchandise

ParkingReception, start and finish all take place at the Nakamachi parking lot, 3747 Minobu, Minamikoma District, Yamanashi (Minobusan Monzenmachi shopping street).

ShuttleRunners who fail to pass a checkpoint or final cut-off within the time limit are transported back to the venue by vehicles provided by the organiser (by ropeway for the Shishin Hoon Short Course). The Minobusan Ropeway is run with extra services for spectators of the Shichimen Shoryu Long Course. Traffic restrictions apply in the Monzen-machi area during the event.

Aid stationsLong course checkpoint 1 Hagoromo (13.9 km, 10:10): water, first aid, toilets · Long course checkpoint 2 Keishin-in (19 km, 12:40): water, first aid, toilets · Long course checkpoint 3 Sumise (25.5 km, 13:20): water, first aid, toilets · Short course checkpoint 1 Shishinkan (5.4 km, 11:15): water, first aid, toilets

Recommended

Before you enter

RefundsNo refunds for category changes or cancellations made for personal reasons. In principle no refund of entry fees if the event is reduced or cancelled due to earthquake, storm or flood, snow, incident, accident, war or epidemic. Overpayments and duplicate payments are refunded after deducting bank transfer fees and other costs.

TransfersYes, through the 'Yuzureru' transfer service, available from 00:00 on 8 August 2026 until 23:59 on 22 September 2026. Transfers open after the entry deadline or once capacity is reached.

If the race is cancelledCancellation criteria: 1) weather warnings in force; 2) landslides, falling rocks or other conditions on the course that make runner safety impossible to guarantee; 3) disaster situations, including Nankai Trough earthquake advisories (under investigation, major earthquake warning, or major earthquake caution); 4) earthquakes, floods, snow, incidents, accidents, war or epidemics, or a rise in epidemic risk that makes safety for athletes, staff and local residents difficult. The decision is announced on the official event site and the dedicated site on the day or the day before.

Bad weatherThe race is cancelled when weather warnings are issued or when landslides, falling rocks or similar on the course make runner safety impossible to guarantee.

€54

per person · entry fee

Minobu, Japan

Sunday, December 6, 2026

Qualification required: The 40km long course is recommended for healthy men and women aged 18 or over with the fitness and speed to complete a full marathon in roughly four hours. The 13km short course is open to junior high school students and older, and participants of high school age or younger need parental consent.

Minobusan / Shichimensan Ascetic Run Executive Committee

View organiser page →

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€54

entry fee

12th Minobusan / Shichimensan Ascetic Run - Monk's Run

Overview

The practical side

Good to know

Who can enter the 40km Shichimen Shoryu Long Course?

Who can enter the 13km Shishin Houon Short Course?

When does entry open and close?

When and where do I check in?

Do I need to bring anything special on race day?

€54

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