Information in English

About UTSUNOMIYA JAPAN CUP CYCLE ROAD RACE

The Real Road Race in “Bicycle City Utsunomiya”!

The Japan Cup Cycle Road Race is one of the biggest road races in Asia. This one-day road race is certified in the highest category, and is the only UCI ProSeries event in Japan where you can watch the dead heat competition up close between the world’s top riders who compete in the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia. In 2022, over 130,000 fans gathered to Utsunomiya city to witness this authentic road race.

The event started as a memorial road race in 1992, commemorating the 1990 UCI Road World Championships in Utsunomiya city. The course is 10.3 kilometers times 16 laps with a total distance of 164.8 kilometers. The difference in elevation is 185 meters, with the Mt. Kogashi uphill climb being extremely challenging and exiting to watch.

Usually, the event takes place over three days. Day 1 is “team presentation” where all of the participating teams get together. Day 2 is the “Japan Cup Criterium”; a high-speed race where riders circle the main street of Utsunomiya city. Day 3 is the final day, the “Japan Cup Cycle Road Race” where riders zip through Mt. Kogashi. With other related events taking place during this period, the Japan Cup is truly an annual festival proudly hosted by “Bicycle city Utsunomiya”.

Day 1. TEAM PRESENTATION

photo:Satoru Kato
photo:Makoto AYANO

Program

Date Day 1 Friday
Venue Orion Square

Access

8-3 Enomachi, Utsunomiya-shi, Tochigi, 320-0802, Japan



Day 2. UTSUNOMIYA JAPAN CUP CRITERIUM

photo:Kei Tsuji
photo:Makoto AYANO

Program

Date Day 2 Saturday
Venue Utsunomiya Odori Special Course
Regulation UCI regulations and the specific regulations of this race will be applied.

Course

Course Utsunomiya Odori Special Course
Distance 33.75km (2.25km x Race 15 Laps) *Parade Run 2 Laps

Course Map

Access

Babadori, Utsunomiya-shi, Tochigi, 320-0026, Japan



Day 3. UTSUNOMIYA JAPAN CUP ROAD RACE

photo:Kei Tsuji

photo:Yuichiro Hosoda

Program

Date Day 3 Sunday
Venue Utsunomiya City Forest Park Circuit
Race Category UCI ProSeries
Regulation UCI regulations and the specific regulations of this race will be applied.

Course

Course Utsunomiya City Forest Park
Distance 144.2km (10.3km x 14Laps)

Course Map

Elevation Profile

Access

Fukuokamachi, Utsunomiya-shi, Tochigi, 321-0342, Japan



Inquiry

UTSUNOMIYA JAPAN CUP CYCLE ROAD RACE Organising Committee / Secretariat

E-Mail: info@japancup.gr.jp