Shimano Corporation will hold the “34th Shimano Bikers Festival” over two days, Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th July 2026, with Fujimi Panorama Resort in Fujimi Town, Nagano Prefecture as the main venue.
The field is the vast natural landscape of the Yatsugatake Mountains and the Southern Alps.
This is a mountain biking festival packed with races, tour rides, and events.
Bringing the joy of off-road biking to more people. The Shimano Bikers Festival, held amidst the magnificent natural beauty of the Yatsugatake foothills and the Southern Alps, is a mountain biking festival that conveys the allure of off-road riding to a wide range of generations.
For the 2026 event, we’ve enhanced the categories and events to make it easier for first-timers to participate. From “light categories” that are easy for even those with no racing experience to try, to experiential content and schools that allow you to take your first steps with peace of mind, to tour rides and rogaining that can be enjoyed by families and friends, we have prepared a wide range of activities that everyone can enjoy all day long. In addition to races for intermediate and advanced riders, there will also be exhibition booths, a biker’s market, and a welcome party at the “Biker’s Village.” It is an event that everyone who attends, regardless of age or experience, can enjoy.
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Expanding the “light category” to make it easier for first-time racers to try it out.
Make your racing debut with just a few laps! XC Beginner is open to participants aged 9 and up.
The three cross-country categories, XC Light, XC Beginner, and GX Light (for gravel bikes), feature courses designed with a moderate level of difficulty, making them accessible even for those new to racing.
In particular, the XC Beginner course allows children as young as 9 years old to participate, creating an opportunity for them to try out the extraordinary experience of racing. It provides a biker-friendly racing environment where even first-timers can confidently take their first step.
An introductory downhill course that’s easy to try even if you’ve never ridden downhill before.
DH Light, as the name suggests, is a course designed to be as easy as possible, allowing participants as young as 9 years old to enter. It’s an introductory downhill race that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike, including families. Take the lift up to the starting point and enjoy the fun of mountain biking on the predominantly downhill course. This year, we’ve added a Kids class for ages 9-14.
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From taking your first steps to enjoying what lies beyond, we offer a wealth of content for learning and discovery!
Start your MTB journey with Bikers! “Welcome to MTB”
We’ve created a new program called “Welcome to MTB” for those trying mountain biking for the first time. We offer two programs: Park Ride, which lets you enjoy riding within the ski resort grounds, and Trail Ride, which takes you out onto actual trails. You can experience the charm of mountain biking in about two hours.
The first half consists of a basic lecture by a professional rider, and the second half is a riding experience tailored to each program. Bicycle, helmet, and glove rentals are provided, so you can participate empty-handed. The content is designed to be enjoyable even for beginners. We offer an opportunity to take that “first step” that you may have been hesitant to take before, with confidence.
There are plenty of schools where both adults and children can learn the basics of off-road riding.
For those who want to learn the basics of off-road riding, we offer school programs tailored to age and skill level. In our “MTB/Gravel Riding School,” professional riders serve as instructors, providing practical lectures on basic operation and riding techniques. We address common points of concern and support you in acquiring the skills to enjoy off-road riding with confidence.
For children, we offer the “MTB Kids School” for XC Kids participants. This practical program, utilizing the pump track, is ideal for preparing both mind and body before a race. We also offer programs for intermediate and advanced riders, providing a learning environment tailored to each level.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, you’ll discover new ways to have fun with Trail Ride+.
We’re launching Trail Ride+, which adds a unique “plus” element to your usual trail rides, just like a true biker. In addition to the challenging main course, there’s a special course where you can experience the ultimate tech flow trail, and the popular Chill Area from last year is also back. Furthermore, we’ve prepared “fun awards” that go beyond just speed, making this an event where you can rediscover the charm of mountain biking, both while riding and while not riding.
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A wide variety of race categories to choose from based on your desired challenge.
The “E-MTB Dual Stage” is a competition consisting of two stages: an uphill and a downhill race.
A new event specifically for e-MTBs, “E-MTB Dual Stage,” has been introduced. This is a stage race where competitors are judged on the combined time of two stages: a downhill stage and an uphill power stage.
The key is to effectively utilize the characteristics of the E-MTB on both uphill and downhill sections. The competition will be designed to be accessible to a wide range of skill levels, from beginners to advanced riders.
Whether you’re looking to have fun or take it seriously, the Gravity (downhill) category will get you excited.
The “DH Race,” where speed and technique are key to victory, offers thrilling downhill riding on an original course unique to Bikers. A new course will be introduced in the second half, and the finish line will be at Bikers Village, where spectators await. This year, we will be using a system where qualifiers can choose to take place in the morning or afternoon.
The “Trail Ride Race” is an enduro-style race that includes climbing to the starting point. It tests your overall off-road riding skills, including physical fitness, technique, line selection, and bike setup.
The XC and GX categories test endurance and strategy.
In cross-country racing, the lineup includes XC Races, which test the ability to anticipate the pace of each lap, XC Endurance, which tests endurance and teamwork, and GX Races (gravelcross), which are sprint races using drop handlebars. The more physically fit and experienced a rider is, the more they can appreciate the depth of the sport.
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Packed with outdoor activities that families and friends can enjoy together!
Enjoy a nature-filled ride experience with a guide, even if you’re not participating in a race.
Even if you don’t participate in races, there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy nature through mountain biking and cycling. The tour rides take place in the magnificent natural surroundings of the Yatsugatake foothills, with multiple courses designed to suit riders of all skill levels and goals, from beginners to experienced cyclists. In addition to mountain bikes, gravel bikes and road bikes are also welcome, making it an easy and enjoyable experience for friends, parents and children, and families alike.
The joy of team riding expands with BIKER’S Rogaine
We will be holding our annual “BIKER’S Rogaining” event again this year, where participants navigate a map to find various points along the way. The main field will be a cool and open mountaintop area. Rather than competing on speed or distance, the style of the event involves teamwork and teamwork, making it easy for beginners, parents and children, and families to participate and enjoy communicating with each other as they explore the field.
One of the unique charms of the Shimano Bikers Festival is that it allows you to experience the beauty of nature and the local area from a perspective different from that of the competition itself.
Bikepacking experience tour ride in the mountaintop area
We offer “BIKE PACKING Light ADVENTURE,” an introductory bikepacking program for those interested in bicycle touring and camping but unsure how to get started. This experiential tour ride combines a 6km cycling trip in the mountaintop area with learning the basics of packing, gear selection, how to use a water filter, and tent pitching.
This event is a collaboration with GOOD OPEN AIRS myX, which proposes ways to enjoy the outdoors. Participants will receive direct instruction from representatives of our partner manufacturers, making it an accessible experience for those who want to try bikepacking or camping rides for the first time.
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Enjoy a full day of fun with your family! Biker’s Village’s experience and viewing content
A mixed-genre showdown featuring star athletes! “Dream Exhibition Race”
Downhill, cross-country, cyclocross, road racing—top riders who wouldn’t normally cross paths will gather together for a mixed exhibition race that transcends category and generational boundaries.
This year, a new “climbing” section has been added, making the individuality and skill of each genre even more apparent. Don’t miss this unique race that you can only see at Shimano Bikers. It will be held on Sunday before noon.
A stamp rally and raffle where you can win local specialty products by visiting the venues.
This year, we’ll be holding our annual “Stamp Rally & Raffle,” where you can collect stamps by visiting the booths within Bikers Village and enter a raffle to win local specialty products. It’s an activity you can enjoy while walking around the venue, and it’s a fun way to participate in between watching the races.
A new way to enjoy cycling, cars, and camping: “6Wheel & Camping”
The “6Wheel & Camping Zone,” which proposes a “6Wheel Life” – enjoying the outdoors by loading bicycles into a car – is back again this year. Produced by GOOD OPEN AIRS myX, you can see, touch, and experience this new lifestyle that combines cycling and the outdoors.
The annual participant networking event, the “Welcome Party”
On the evening of the first day of the competition, a welcome party will be held where participants can enjoy socializing with each other. In addition to a powerful performance of Japanese taiko drumming by the Fujimi Taiko Preservation Society, local sake, local craft beer, and food made with local ingredients will be available. There will also be other events planned to liven up the party. This is a regular event where all attendees can enjoy the atmosphere of the venue in their own way after the race.
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SKE48’s Himeka Arano joins the race! Bikers enjoy the event with professional riders.
SKE48’s Himeka Arano will be taking part in the Shimano Bikers Festival!
SKE48’s Himeka Arano will be participating in this year’s Shimano Bikers Festival.
Mr. Arano joined the event as one of the participants, enjoying the races and various contents of the Bikers Village together with the attendees.
We’ll liven things up.
We are also planning a talk event where participants will share what sparked their interest in mountain biking and their experiences at Bikers.
Course supervision by professional riders and comprehensive operational support.
The courses for each race and tour ride are supervised by professional riders who are Bikers Partners. Naoki Idegawa, Junya Nagata, and Kazuki Shimizu are in charge of the Downhill and Trail Ride+ courses, Kohei Yamamoto and Shun Matsumoto are in charge of the Cross Country courses, and Shun Matsumoto is in charge of the Tour Ride courses. In addition, Toki Sawada, Kazunari Matsumoto, and Raito Suzuki will be participating in the Cross Country courses on the day of the event, and active Shimano Racing riders will be accompanying the Tour Rides to support everyone.
To ensure that all participants enjoy the best possible experience, professional riders will appear at various points throughout the competition.
Enjoy the fun of being a biker together.
Overview of the 34th Shimano Bikers Festival
Dates: July 25th (Sat) and 26th (Sun), 2026
Venue: Fujimi Panorama Resort (6666-703 Fujimi, Fujimi-machi, Suwa-gun, Nagano Prefecture 399-0211)
Application period: April 24, 2026 (Friday) 12:00 to June 29, 2026 (Monday) 23:59
Official website : https://bikersfestival.shimano.com/
How to apply: Apply through the dedicated Sports Entry website: https://cycle.spoen.jp/
Organizer: Shimano Corporation
Co-sponsored by Fujimi Panorama Resort Association
Supported by: Fujimi Town, Nagano Prefecture; Fujimi Town Tourism Association; Fujimi Town Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Fujimi Kogen Resort; Shinano Mainichi Shimbun; Nagano Nippo; Shinshu Shimin Shimbun Group; SBC Shinetsu Broadcasting; NBS Nagano Broadcasting; TSB Television Shinshu; abn Nagano Asahi Broadcasting; LCV Corporation; FM Fuji
