Date: Autumn 2026 (Exact dates TBA)
Location: Across Japan (multiple prefectures)
Distance: ~1,600 km (full route)
Event Type: Self-Supported Gravel/Bikepacking Race
Event Description
The Japanese Odyssey is a monumental self-supported gravel and bikepacking event that traverses the diverse landscapes of Japan, from rugged mountain passes and rural hill country to coastal roads and cultural heartlands. Designed for experienced riders with a taste for epic distances and remote terrain, this event is a journey as much as it is a challenge.
Japanese Odyssey covers roughly 1,600 kilometres on a fixed route that winds through multiple regions of Japan, exploring terrain that few riders ever see in a single ride. Participants must rely entirely on themselves — navigating with GPS, managing their own food and rest, and facing long days in varied weather and surfaces. The event celebrates the core principles of bikepacking: self-sufficiency, resilience, and the spirit of adventure.
Expect a stunning array of landscapes. The route climbs into scenic mountain ranges where alpine roads, forest gravel, and rural tracks dominate; it winds through traditional rice-growing regions and ancient towns that reflect centuries of local culture; it follows coastlines where sea breezes and endless horizons open to the Pacific. The terrain is constantly changing — smooth paved connectors lead to quiet gravel sectors, while dusty tracks and remote byways create memorable, demanding stretches.
Riders will also experience Japan’s rich cultural texture. Passing through temples, rural villages, and historic sites, the event blends athletic challenge with cultural immersion. Local foods, hot springs, and warm hospitality offer tangible reminders of place, even as the kilometres mount and the body works hard.
The Japanese Odyssey is self-supported — there are no external support crews or sweep vehicles, and the clock never stops. Riders are encouraged to ride in small groups if they wish, but everyone is responsible for their own pacing, navigation, and safety. This format sets it apart as one of the most authentic bikepacking adventures in the world.
This event is not about racing against others — it is about riding against the terrain and discovering what you are capable of along the way. It’s endurance, environment, and exploration rolled into a single epic route.
Japanese Odyssey — 1,600 km of road, gravel, mountain, and memory across Japan. Ride independently, explore endlessly.
