Last updated:
Sep 1, 2016
About the writer:
Nagato Tourism Convention Association
| Long Course | Nagato City Seaside Plaza? Hioki Aid? Gobata? Ohama Aid? Igami? Kakushima? Agawa Aid? Igoe? Hioki Aid? Kohado? Nagato City Seaside Plaza |
| Distance: approx. 106km / Altitude gained: 1372m (ascent) / Click here for course details | |
| As the event's name "Blue Ocean" suggests, this is a course where you can enjoy the ocean to the fullest. The course will start from the "Higashi Ushirobata Tanada," selected as one of the 100 best terraced rice paddies, and then run along the coast to "Tsushima Ohashi," one of the most popular tourist spots in the prefecture, which is often featured in car commercials and ranked third in the best-selling book "The World's Greatest Views. This course is ranked No. 3 in the best-selling book "The World's Greatest Views," and is often used in car commercials and other media. The course is satisfying, with beautiful scenery and challenging hills. | |
| Middle Course? | Nagato City Seaside Plaza? Hioki Aid? Gobata? Ohama Aid? Iue? Hioki Aid? Kohado? Nagato City Seaside Plaza |
| Distance: approx. 72km / Altitude gained: 993m (ascent) / Click here for course details | |
| For those who are a little nervous about the long course, we have prepared a middle course. Even though it is a middle course, you will not feel inadequate as you run through the "Higashi Ushirobata Tanada" and along the coastline to the goal. Please take a look at the spectacular view you will see after climbing up the hill. | |
| Train Course | Outward: Nagato City Seaside Plaza? Hioki Aid? Gobata? Ohama Aid? Igami? Kakunoshima? Agawa Aid? Agawa Station Return: Agawa Station? (JR extra train)? Senzaki Station? Take the JR extra train at 14:20 from Agawa Station and 14:45 from Igami Station with your bicycle. (Times are tentative). |
| Distance: approx. 70km / Altitude gained: 1043m (ascent) / Click here for course details | |
| This is the first train course in Yamaguchi Prefecture to use the JR line. A special train with the head mark of the event will be operated, and the cyclists will return to Senzaki Station near the goal without taking the bicycles on the train. This is a greedy course that allows participants to enjoy the beautiful scenery and aid stations along the course, and then return by train while enjoying a different view from the one seen on the bicycle. The train will also provide hospitality and stops at viewpoints. |



Terraced rice paddies are rice paddies built in a stepped pattern on steep slopes. Many terraced rice paddies have been formed in Yamaguchi Prefecture, where mountainous areas account for 70% of the prefecture's land area. In 1999, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) selected the terraced rice paddies in the Higashi Gobata district of Aburaya as one of the "100 Best Terraced Rice Paddies in Japan" out of 134 terraced rice paddies in 117 cities, towns and villages in Japan. The terraced rice paddies are usually located in mountainous areas, but in this area, the hills on the peninsula extend close to the coast, and the view of the Sea of Japan can be seen from May to August. Many photographers visit the area every year to capture the scenery with their cameras.
| 14:00 | Reception |
| 15:00 | One day before the event: "Fun Bicycle Class |
| 17:00 | Registration closes the day before |
| 7:00 a.m. | Reception and baggage check-in |
| 8:10 | Opening Ceremony |
| 8:30 | Start Long Course |
| 8:50 a.m. | Start Train Course |
| 8:55 | Start Middle Course |
| 16:30 | Final Finish |

| Category | Capacity | Entry Fee | Eligibility |
| Long Course | 200 persons, Sports Entry 160 persons, Postal Transfer 40 persons | 6,000 yen (tax included) | Healthy men and women of junior high school age or older. Must be confident in their ability to complete this course within the specified time. Minors must have parental consent. |
| Middle Course | 100 persons, Sports Entry 80 persons, Postal Transfer 20 persons | 5,000 yen (tax included) | Healthy boys and girls of 3rd grade and above. Participants must be confident enough to complete this course within the designated time. Elementary school students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Parents must also apply. Minors must have parental consent. |
| Train Course | 50 people, sports entry 40 people, postal transfer 10 people | 7,000 yen (tax included) |
A power spot with beautiful contrasts of red, blue, and green! In 1955, a white fox appeared at the bedside of Hitoshi Okamura, a local netter, and asked him, "Who has enabled you to fish all these years? He then said, "I am here to offer a sacrifice to the gods. The shrine is located in the town of Tsuwano, Shimane Prefecture, and was originally named Taiko-dani Inari Shrine. It is a great deity of prosperity in business, great catches, and safety at sea, as well as of good marriage, children, good luck, good luck and good fortune, traffic safety, academic achievement, and fulfillment of one's wishes. There are about 40,000 "Inari" shrines in Japan, but only two are called "Inari" shrines. The 123 torii gates, dedicated over a period of 10 years starting in 1987, line up for more than 100 meters from the tidal wave side of the Ryugu Palace, creating a spectacular view. If you look closely at the Otorii, which stands at the exit of the approach to the shrine, you will see a money-offering box overhead! It is said that your wish will come true if you throw your money into the box. Address: 498 Aburayatsukou, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture 759-4712 ■Inquiries: Nagato City Tourism Convention Association 0837-22-8404