What You Need To Know About Ultra-Trail Mt. Fuji

Ultra-Trail Mt. Fuji is an extreme long-distance race through the mountainous trails encircling Mount Fuji, held every year in September. The race is one of the most challenging on the Ultra-Trail World Tour circuit, designed to push runners to their limits and test the furthest reaches of human endurance. Here are six things you need to know about Japan’s most challenging long-distance race, Ultra-Trail Mt. Fuji.

It’s Two Races

Ultra-Trail Mt. Fuji consists of two races. The main Ultra-Trail Mt. Fuji race, or UTMF, goes around the entire perimeter of Mount Fuji, while the Shizuoka To Yamanashi race, or STY, goes about halfway. UTMF starts and ends in Kawaguchiko, a town in Yamanashi, while the STY begins in Kodomo-no-Kuni.

It’s New

Ultra-Trail Mt. Fuji is a relatively new international sporting event. It was established in 2012 to join the ranks of the Ultra-Trail World Tour, a group of ultra-long-distance endurance races scattered around the globe. Compare that to its sister sporting event, the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, which was first organized in 2003.

It’s An Extreme Endurance Race

Ultra-Trail Mt. Fuji is one of the longest and most difficult long-distance endurance races. Less than 50 percent of participants complete it. It takes racers through 168 kilometers of mountainous trail terrain and up to altitudes of 9,500 meters. The time limit is 46 hours, while the best runners usually finish around the 20-hour mark.

It’s Got Goals

Ultra-Trail Mt. Fuji aims to give people an opportunity to experience and appreciate the beauty of the Mount Fuji region through trail-running. It’s all about challenging people through physical sport. It’s not about winning, but about the self-discovery runners will experience as they compete in the race.

Mt. Fuji climbing,Yoshida Trail for descent

It’s Not For Everybody

As one of the most difficult tests of endurance on Earth, Ultra-Trail Mt. Fuji doesn’t allow just anyone to sign up. Competitors in UTMF must have earned a minimum of six points in a maximum of three qualifying races, or two points in two races for STY, to prove their skill and fitness. Other than that, hopefuls are asked to be in good health and able to navigate the trails.

It’s Dangerous

Rocky, rough terrain and the tremendous distance are not the only things racers have to worry about. Competitors are also asked to wear bear bells to frighten the dangerous animals away during training runs. Bright colors are also recommended since the property is shared with local hunters. During the race itself, however, these shouldn’t be much of an issue.

Crossing the finish line at Ultra-Trail Mt. Fuji

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.