Japan Cup (Cycle Road Race - UCI ProSeries)

ジャパンカップ（宇都宮市）

Watch the dead heat competition up close between the world’s top riders who compete in the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia.

COVID Info

The organizers have confirmed they are going ahead with this event!
However, please be aware that there may be changes to the schedule depending on the situation on the pandemic.

DATE

2023 : 14th & 15th October

Days

Hours

Min

Sec

*Dates and times have been confirmed by the organizer.

Race Times & Schedule

14th Oct – The Japan Cup Criterium

Event starts: 14:30

Race: 15:40 – 16:30

Awards ceremony: 16:40 –

15th Oct – The Japan Cup Cycle Road Race

Event starts: 9:00

Race: 10:00 – 14:10

Awards ceremony: 14:30 –

*Dates and times have been confirmed by the organizer. However, they are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.

COST

Free

(The start and finish area is ‘Exciting Zone’ and restricted to paid visitors only. Tickets go on sale around the end of August. See here)

Japan Cup Cycle Race

Take photos

Exciting atmosphere (world class sports)

Cycle festival

Solo travelers

Enjoy for 3-5 hours

Cheer on the⚡ Fast and 🔥 Furious world's 🚴 cyclists in Utsunomiya

The 13th (Day1) is “Team presentation”, when the excitement starts to build. Visitors can watch this at Orion Square, but the competition doesn’t start until the next day.

🏆 The 14th (Day2) is the 🚴🚴🚴💨JAPAN CUP CRITERIUM, which is a ⚡high-speed race where riders zoom down the main street of 🏢 Utsunomiya (Start and finish is in front of ⛩️ Futaarasan Shrine). – The race is only around 50min so don’t miss the start.

🏆The 15th (Day 3) is the 🚴🚴🚴💨JAPAN CUP ROAD RACE, with a distance of 144.2 kilometers with an ⛰️elevation difference of 185 meters every 10 kilometers. You can get close up to the side of the road to cheer on the cyclists who are taking on the challenge of this extremely steep hill climb..

Other related cycle events also take place during these days around the race venue.

What to do nearby Japan Cup (Cycle race) ?

Eat delicious Gyoza

Enjoy bars & cocktails

Visit Jazz bars

Wakayama Bamboo Farm

Experience traditional Japan in Japan’s largest bamboo forest! Stroll through the bamboo groves, capture precious memories with photos, and enjoy a Kimono experience. Exciting bamboo-themed activities for kids too! Don’t miss the impressive view that rivals Kyoto!

Access - How to get to Japan Cup (Cycle race)

14th October 2023 - The Japan Cup Criterium

From Tokyo

Tickets for the EXCITING ZONE

Most locations are free, but there are Exciting Zones in front of the start and finish area called ‘Exciting Zones’

Exciting zone tickets for the Criterium is between 6,000-12,000 yen. See here for details.

Address

Center of Utsunomiya city (Main street ‘Baba Dori/Odori), west side of JR Utsunomiya station) near Futaarayama Shrine.

栃木県宇都宮市大通り（二荒山神社付近）

Baba Douri, Utsunomiya-city, Tochigi Pref

By Train

JR Utsunomiya Station

Take the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line (JR Utsunomiya Line) to Utsunomiya station. Leave the Station via the west exit and walk for about 10 minutes down the main street towards Futaarayama Shrine.

Tobu Utsunomiya Station

Take the Tobu Utsunomiya Line to Utsunomiya station. Walk 5-10 minutes to the main street.

JAPAN CUP TRAIN (non-stop express on the Tobu Line from Asakusa sta.)

If you are coming from Tokyo, there is a special non-stop express train departing from Asakusa at —– and arriving in Tobu-Utsunomiya sta. at —.

The price is 10,000 yen which includes a one way train fair as well as a ticket to the ‘Exciting Zone (paid area) near the start and finish’.

Check this website to buy the ticket. (On sale from 10th August)

By Car

Approximately 30 minutes drive from the Utsunomiya-Kaminokawa IC on the Kita-Kanto Expressway.

15th October 2023 - The Japan Cup Cycle Road Race

From Tokyo

Bus service from JR Utsunomiya sta.

There is a special bus service from JR Utsunomiya station’s East exit to the venue. The buses leave every 10min and costs around 1,000 yen one way.

Tickets for the EXCITING ZONE

Most locations are free, but there are Exciting Zones in front of the start and finish area called ‘Exciting Zones’

Exciting zone tickets for the Road Race is between 3,000-10,000 yen. See here for details.

Address

Around the parking lot for Utsunomiya-shi Shinrinkouen (Utsunomiya Forest Park)

栃木県宇都宮市森林公園駐車場周辺

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

〒321-0342 栃木県宇都宮市福岡町

By Train

JR Utsunomiya Station

Take the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line (JR Utsunomiya Line) to Utsunomiya station. Leave the Station via the East exit and find the special bus service for the Japan cup departing from the Kanto Bus departure area.

Tobu Utsunomiya Station

Take the Tobu Utsunomiya Line to Utsunomiya station. Take a taxi to the East exit of JR Utsunomiya sta. and take the special bus service for the Japan cup cycle Road Race.

By Car

Approximately 20 minutes drive from the Utsunomiya IC on the Tohoku Expressway.

There are approximately 3,000 parking areas around the venue.

One location near to the venue is the Tochigi Prefecture Rifle Association with space of 500 cars (Google map)

Places to EAT in Utsunomiya

Enjoy Gyoza (Utsunomiya is famous for it)

Utsunomiya has more than 300 Gyoza dumpling restaurants! And many are within walking distance from both JR and Tobu Utsunomiya stations. Have a look at the Top 5 Gyoza Restaurants we recommend in our Utsunomiya Night Guide.

Sip on delicious cocktails

After WW2, many Jazz and cocktail bars opened in Utsunomiya to cater for the allied forces in the area.

Since then, Utsunomiya’s reputation continued to grow and now has the best bartenders and mixologists in all of Japan. Check out the TOP 5 cocktail bars in our Utsunomiya Night Guide.

From Fine Dining to small Izakayas

Utsunomiya is a vibrant city with a population of half a million people so there are many restaurants and bars that cater for a wide range of needs. See below for as well as Utsunomiya night guide’s 10 Things in Utsunomiya page for ideas.

Hachinojo Restaurant

Enjoy an elegant dining experience at Hachinojo. Try their signature ‘Water Course’ (full-course meal) or other western style dishes and light meals such as delicious pizzas and pastas. Visit Hachinojo for an unforgettable gastronomic journey!

Samurai Jugem

Take a bite at one of Utsunomiya’s best Gyoza restaurants. It’s famous for its variety and tasty flavors, so try to have as many as you can! All Gyozas are handmade and make the most of the all-natural ingredients.