Running & Trails

Experience High-Altitude Training in Nature

Why not train in the refreshing, natural surroundings of Minenohara Kogen, cool even in the evenings?

Located on the slopes of Mt. Nekodake at an altitude of 1,400-1,600 meters, Minenohara Kogen offers a comfortable environment with summer temperatures reaching only about 28°C. It's approximately 6km from the neighboring Sugadaira Kogen to Sunia Park.

Just a 15-minute walk from our pension, you can access the Minenohara Kogen Cross-Country Course. This nature-rich area offers trail running on Mt. Nekodake's hiking trails and Dabasu Hill, making it perfect for track and field and marathon high-altitude training.

Minenohara Kogen

Cross-Country Course

Minenohara Kogen Cross-Country Course (Elevation: 1,494-1,534m)

A cross-country course supervised by Mr. Momoi, Managing Director of the Japan Association of Athletics Federations, and Mr. Kenji Ogiwara.

The flower-lined course is 6m wide and 2km per lap.

In addition to the administration building with showers and lockers at the start/finish area, there are competition observation towers (observation decks) and rest areas (azumaya) along the way. You can run comfortably through the highland forest.

Other Courses at Minenohara Kogen

• Running Course (Large Loop) - Elevation: 1,380-1,532m, 6km per lap
• Running Course - Elevation: 1,400-1,415m, 2km per lap
• Flat Dirt Course - Elevation: 1,400m, 700m per lap
• Otani Forest Road Course - Elevation: 629-1,430m, 12.3km one way
• Panorama Course - Elevation: 1,628-1,658m, 2.2km per lap
  (Exclusive for track and field club members, morning use only, ¥100)
• Trail Running Course - Forest road course through nature
  (Reservation required, fee applies, please use in groups for safety)

Surrounding Area

Relax at a Hot Spring After Your Run

Refresh yourself. Sauna also available.

We offer discounted ¥400 admission tickets for Yukkuraudo and Jufuku no Yu hot springs.

• Yukkuraudo (Hot Spring Health Center)
  About 15km to Suzaka City.
  Spacious with various types of baths.
• Fureai Sanada-kan (Day-trip Hot Spring)
  About 13km to Sanada Town.
• Jizo Onsen Jufuku no Yu (Day-trip Hot Spring)
  About 25km to Sanada Town
  Popular for its spacious open-air bath. A log house hot spring.
• Shibukawa Onsen (Day-trip Hot Spring)
  In Sanada Town, Shibukawa, 5 minutes by car from the Sugadaira entrance.
  A small, cozy hot spring with iron-rich, reddish-brown water.
  Free-flowing spring water.

Other Facilities

• Sunia Park (Athletics Stadium) - About 6km to Sugadaira
• Yonago Oouze Nuno - Located in Suzaka City, accessible via hiking trails from Mt. Nekodake or from the national highway from Suzaka. Features two large-scale waterfalls.
• Coin laundry available in Sugadaira