SAIOTO COLORS 2026 - Hiroshima Autumn Trail Festival

SAIOTO COLORS 2026 is an autumn mountain-running festival based at Utopia Saioto ski resort in Kitahiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture. The event explores wooded ridges and steep mountain paths in the Chugoku Mountains, with demanding climbs and descents rather than the flat roads of a typical city race. The organiser's current-edition information confirms racing on Sunday 8 November 2026, with all categories setting off at 06:30 Japan time.

The three routes

The 31K trail race actually measures approximately 30.7 km, climbs about 1,790 m, and is roughly 90% trail. Entrants have eight hours to finish, with a 14:30 course closure. The 52K trail race climbs about 3,100 m over predominantly trail terrain (approximately 87%), with a 13-hour limit until 19:30. Its course is approved by the Japan Skyrunning Association; this does not mean the race itself is the national championship. The festival also includes a separate 28K hiking category, approximately 27.7 km with about 1,610 m ascent, intended for walkers rather than runners and subject to a 12-hour time limit. The course distances above are the organiser's published measurements, not rounded ARC category labels.

Timing, eligibility and event experience

The organiser schedules bib collection from 04:30 to 06:00, followed by a 06:15 briefing, at the event venue. Entrants must be at least 18. The 31K runners need experience completing an 18 km or longer trail event; the 52K participants need a completed trail race of at least 28 km. Participants should check the organiser's rules for full eligibility and checkpoint requirements.

Published general entry fees are ¥11,000 for 31K, ¥15,400 for 52K and ¥9,900 for the hiking division. Registration via Moshicom was advertised to close on 13 October 2026 and should be treated as closed unless the organiser announces otherwise. Participant provisions include a GRIPDROP socks gift and post-finish Saioto curry as advertised.

Mountain safety

Required equipment includes a route map, charged phone, water capacity of at least one litre, food, whistle, bear bell, rain protection, warm layers, emergency blanket and other essentials. The organiser requires two lights for participants in the longer 52K and hiking categories. Conditions can change quickly in November; runners should review the latest mandatory kit, aid and checkpoint instructions before travelling.