Utsunomiya Japan Cup Cycle Road Race
宇都宮ジャパンカップサイクルロードレース36°37′ N 139°47′ ERaceOct 16, 2026
The Japan Cup suits cycling fans who want to see WorldTour teams race in Asia's top one-day event a train ride from Tokyo, and the Sunday road race on the Kogashi climb draws crowds that make the shuttle buses the only sane way in.
Dates and hours
- October 16, 2026 to October 18, 2026Confirmedsourcechecked Oct 11, 2026
The 2026 race is the 33rd edition and the race has held UCI ProSeries status since 2020. Nineteen teams start the road race, five of them from the WorldTour. The Sunday race covers 144.2 km on 14 laps of a 10.3 km circuit from the Forest Park car park, and each lap crosses the mountain prize on the Kogashi forest road. In 2025 Lenny Martinez won alone after attacking on the final climb.
Saturday's criterium closes Odori in the city centre for 15 laps of 2.25 km between the Banba square start and turns at the Tobu Bashamichi entrance and Kamigawara. In 2025 Jonathan Milan won it at an average of 50.7 km/h, the fastest in its history, for Lidl-Trek's sixth win in a row there. A women's criterium and the Hopeful Criterium run before the main event.
For the road race take the shuttle from JR Utsunomiya east exit stop 5. It runs every five to ten minutes from 6:30 until about 9:50 and charges ¥1,200 each way, or ¥600 for children. The ride takes about 40 minutes and buses back start after the finish from the Tsuru Country Club rotary 400 m from the course.
Worth knowing
- Buy the shuttle ticket at the temporary booth by stop 5; it is sold on the day only.
- Watching from the roadside is free. Paid grandstand seats in the Exciting Zone went on sale on 14 August 2026.
- Riders in town for the criterium can use the city bicycle parks, free for four hours.
Quick answers about Utsunomiya Japan Cup Cycle Road Raceよくある質問
When is the 2026 Japan Cup?
The 2026 Utsunomiya Japan Cup runs from 16 to 18 October, with the criterium on 17 October and the road race on 18 October.
How long is the Japan Cup road race?
The 2026 Japan Cup road race covers 144.2 km on 14 laps of a 10.3 km circuit at the Utsunomiya Forest Park.
When is Utsunomiya Japan Cup Cycle Road Race?
Utsunomiya Japan Cup Cycle Road Race takes place a Friday-to-Sunday weekend in mid-October, with the criterium on Saturday afternoon and the road race on Sunday morning. The next dates we have are October 16, 2026 to October 18, 2026, confirmed.
What are the opening hours of Utsunomiya Japan Cup Cycle Road Race?
Utsunomiya Japan Cup Cycle Road Race is open in 2026 the criterium runs 15:40 to about 16:30 under road closures from 14:00 to 17:00, and the road race runs 10:00 to about 13:40 under closures from 9:50 to 14:30.