Alps Azumino Century Ride - Sakura Group

April 23, 2023

Azumino, Nagano

Athlete Entitlements

Samurai Sports Advantage

  • Easy registration

    Register in English without creating an account

  • Modify & transfer your entry

    Change waves, transfer entry, and self-edit up until 1 day before registration closes *fees may apply

  • Translated English event guide

    Information you need to complete your race safely

  • English email support

    Ask questions - and get answers!

  • Post event follow-up

    Receive links, passwords to photos

Event Standard

  • Event insurance

  • Finisher certificate

  • Various entitlements

  • Saturday packet collection

    Pick up your event pack the day before the event

  • Bag deposit

  • On-course aid stations

about the ride

You know it’s time for cycling season once the snow starts to melt in the Japan Alps!

Join us in April and register for the Sakura Group if you’re interested in cycling through flurries of Japan’s famous cherry blossoms! Enjoy a challenging 120km or 160km course to Hakuba and find the best scenic views Japan has to offer.

・The course is not closed; cyclists will ride on public roads without road closures.
・TT and triathlon bikes are not permitted. Aerobars must be removed from road bikes. 
・This is not a race and cyclists are not given timing chips. Passing should be kept to a minimum and always with advanced verbal notification. 
・Cyclists must stop at each and every aid station, even if just for a moment.

IMPORTANT: You may not personally register Japanese-fluent friends/family/colleagues, etc. who were unable to register through Japanese-language only options. Similarly, you should not encourage them to pursue Samurai Sports as an alternate registration option. Samurai Sports is a service meant to increase participation and expand access for those who cannot communicate fluently or comfortably in Japanese. 

サムライスポーツは日本国籍以外を対象とした外国人向け専用受付サイトです。日本国籍の方は日本語サイトからお申込みください。日本国籍以外の方がエントリーした場合、無効となる場合があります 。無効となった場合には、返金手数料を差し引き、参加費をご返金させていただきます。

  • 00days until event

All participants are required to adhere to the following guidelines:
All participants must record their physical wellness for seven days in the week leading up to the event.  Use only the appropriate form (to be sent at a later date by the organizer) and submit it on the day before the event, in exchange for your event packet.
・Temperature checks at or near the event venue on the day before and the day of the event.
・Wear a face mask or face covering at all times, except when riding. This includes at the start area, aid stations, and finish area.
・Avoid congestion and practice physical distancing whenever possible. Please listen to and obey related guidance and instructions from staff/volunteers.
・Participants are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated to the fullest extent possible and as his/her health permits.
・Recognize that this event is taking place under extraordinary times and details may change with little to no prior notice. Keep an eye out for official guidance and be aware that the event schedule remains a dynamic situation.

Saturday, April 22
at Shisuien
1000-1700…Event packet collection and check-in

Sunday, April 23
at Shisuien
0530-0700…Bag drop
0600…
160km Group 1 start
0620…160km Group 2 start
0640…160km Group 3 start 
0700…160km Group 4 start

at Alps Azumino National Park Horigane Hotaka area
0600…120km Group 1 start at Alps Azumino National Park
0620…120km Group 2 start at Alps Azumino National Park

・Specific details about the schedule will be in your event guide
・After finishing, cyclists may utilize the onsen facilities at the Shisuien to bathe and clean up (fees apply) 

Sakura Group
160KM
Adult: ¥14,560 (incl. Samurai Sports service charge)
17 and under: ¥8,000 (incl. Samurai Sports service charge)

120KM
Adult: ¥13,440 (incl. Samurai Sports service charge)
17 and under: ¥7,000 (incl. Samurai Sports service charge)

Additional Surcharges
・If total cost is ¥10,000 or less, you will incur a flat fee service charge of ¥1,000.
・If total cost is more than ¥10,001, you will incur a service charge amounting to 12% of total cost.
Why does Samurai Sports implement a service charge? They help us cover the cost of operating the registration platform, translation of athlete guides/event information, labor hours required to answer your event inquiries, etc. Depending on the event, the surcharges help to cover the cost of our physical presence at the event. 

Age Eligibility
・Adults 18 or older
・Participants ages 6 to 17 (inclusive of high school students) may participate accompanied by a parent or guardian

Cut-Off Time
・TBA, but approximately 10 hours
・All aid stations also have cut-off times

Important
・All participants must be respectful of the natural course environment and demonstrate good cycling manners.
・Cycle at a reasonable speed (no faster than 30 KPH) and do not attempt to pace line or race. If you are constantly and consistently passing cyclists, you are cycling too fast.
・Be mindful of other cyclists and vehicles on the road. You should understand laws in Japan pertaining to cycling on public roads and cycling insurance.
・Be a responsible athlete. Please make sure you have the physical ability to complete the course.
・A “bicycle maintenance form” must be completed by a professional bike mechanic and submitted at check-in in exchange for your bib. Note that this procedure often costs about ¥3,000 at bike shops. 

Permitted
Road bikes
Cyclocross bikes
Hybrid bikes
Mountain bikes
Track bikes (with front and rear brakes)
Tandem bikes

Not Permitted
Costumes
Aero bars
Spinaci handlebars
Recumbent bikes
Disc wheels
Aero bars of any type

Required
helmet
front light
tail light
gloves (work gloves – in Japanese, gunte – are ok)

Recommended
・nutrition/hydration (if necessary)
・proof of health insurance
・mobile phone/smartphone (not for use while cycling)

Sakura 160km (view course map)
Total ascent: +1,589m (+5,214ft)
Aid stations: 6 (23km, 43km, 62.5km, 81km, 93km, 129.5km)

Sakura 120km (view course map)
Total ascent: +1,194m (+3,916ft)
Aid stations: 5 (20km, 39.5km, 58km, 70km, 107km)

Shisuien (Saturday check-in, 160km start/finish) 
4262-1 Azusagawayamato, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-1701
Google Maps

120km start/finish
Alps Azumino National Park (Horigane Hotaka area)
33-4 Horigane-karasugawa, Azumino, Nagano 399-8211
Google Maps

・This area can be challenging to access solely by public transit, we recommend planning well in advance or taking a private vehicle/rental car.
・We recommend arriving in Nagano by Saturday mid-afternoon – with enough time to check-in and collect your event packet
・If you’re driving back to Tokyo on Sunday, you can reasonably anticipate heavy traffic on the drive home.
・Please ensure you have lodging AND transportation plans figured out BEFORE registering for this event.

Shisuien (160KM)
By Car – From Matsumoto Interchange (Nagano Expressway), about 10 min. to Shisuien.

By Train – Use Google Maps to find the best way to Matsumoto station. From Tokyo station, the train will take about 2.5 hours. From Matsumoto station, Shisuien is about 9km or 20 min by bike.

By Bus – Take the highway bus from Shinjuku expressway bus terminal and alight at Matsumoto station. The bus ride will take about 3.5 hours. From Matsumoto station, Shisuien is about 9km or 20 min by bike.

Alps Azumino National Park – Horigane Hotaka area (120km)
 By Car – from Azumino interchange (Nagano Expressway), about 20 min.
 By Train – Take the JR Ōito Line and alight at Toyoshina Station. About 10KM or 20 min by bike.

Parking
・Limited free parking available at Shisuien (about 1,000 spaces), Alps Azumino Park (about 500 spaces) and surrounding areas; first-come, first-served

Shisuien
4262-1 Azusagawayamato, Matsumoto-shi, Nagano-ken 390-1701
Google Maps

Alps Azumino National Park (Horigane Hotaka area)
33-4 Horiganekarasugawa, Azumino, Nagano 399-8211
Google Maps

・None, this is not a timed event. 

Road Rules
・Ride on the LEFT single file (not two or more abreast).
・Come to a complete stop at red lights.
・Cell phone usage is prohibited while on the road.
・You MUST follow all traffic rules.

Rider Courtesy
・Keep a respectable distance from other cyclists.
・When passing a cyclist, make sure to check your rear, verbally indicate your intention to pass, and receive acknowledgment from the cyclist(s) you intend to pass.
・When a cyclist passes you, take care to allow him or her to tuck into the space in front of you.
・Come to a complete stop when taking videos and pictures.
・It is strictly prohibited to take pictures or videos while riding, unless it is mounted on the bicycle or attached to your helmet.
・Earphones, headphones, and anything in the ears that may prevent you from adequately hearing your surroundings are prohibited.

Aid Stations
・Aid stations include bathrooms, water stations, and snacks.
・Support cars will pick up cyclists who do not or are unable to meet the designated cut off times.

About Registration
・You may not personally register Japanese-fluent friends/family/colleagues, etc. who were unable to register through Runnet. Similarly, you should not encourage them to pursue Samurai Sports as an alternate registration option. Samurai Sports is a service meant to increase participation and access for those who cannot communicate fluently or comfortably in Japanese.

General
・ Unless otherwise noted, no refunds, deferrals, or credits will be issued by personal request. This applies to incidents in which the event is cancelled for any reason including personal participant circumstances of the participant (including illness and injury) and incidents in which the event is cancelled due to unforeseen weather conditions or natural disasters.
・Depending on the event, transfers and certain modifications to your entry may be permitted. Generally, entries may be transferable and/or permit modifications until 3-5 days before the last day of registration. After this period, all transfers are considered illegal and modifications will not be accommodated.
・You will not sue the event organizers nor its affiliates (including Samurai Sports) for any injury or death caused during the event.
・ You consent to and will give all authorities and copyright to the event organizer and affiliates for the use of photography, motion pictures, articles, recordings or any other record of this event (including personal information such as name, age, gender, personal record, portrait, and etc.) for legitimate purposes and use in newspapers, TV, magazines, internet and any media publishing such as Facebook posts, Instagram posts, and pamphlets.

Participants determined to be violating the policies below may be disqualified without a refund:
・Any person found to be bib-swapping (illegal transfer of bib); the person will be held responsible in case of an accident arising from or provoked by the other person during the event.
・Any person found to be registering with inaccurate information, i.e. false declarations of the participants name, age, or gender.

Insurance
・ Those participating and coming from abroad must be enrolled in medical and/or travel insurance in case of accident, injury, and medical emergencies.
・ Before signing up, please carefully read all rules and regulations of the event. If the rules and regulations cannot be followed, participation may be denied by the event organizers. If anything is unclear, please do not hesitate to contact us – it is your responsibility to be prepared.

Privacy
・The organizer is aware of the importance of your personal information. The use of personal information conforms to the organizer’s privacy protection law.
・Your personal information is used to provide you valuable services, such as race information, results, service from race affiliates, result ranking, and etc.
・The organizer may release your personal information when your life or body is in a life-threatening situation.
・The race organizer and its affiliates may contact you regarding your registration information.

Athlete Guides
・In most cases, athlete guides in English will be sent via email approximately 7-21 days before the event. However, the delivery of athlete guides is entirely dependent on the timeliness of the event organizers. Samurai Sports takes approximately one to two days from receipt of the Japanese athlete guide to translate into English.

Additional Surcharges
・If total cost is ¥10,000 or less, you will incur a flat fee service charge of ¥1,000.
・If total cost is more than ¥10,001, you will incur a service charge amounting to 12% of total cost.
Why the additional charges? They help us cover the cost of operating the registration platform, translation of athlete guides/event information, labor hours required to answer your event inquiries, etc. Depending on the event, the surcharges help to cover the cost of our physical presence at the event.

  • Ace Inn Hotel (Matsumoto)
  • Richmond Hotel (Matsumoto)
  • Generally, any hotel nearby Matsumoto station will be suitable for those starting at Shisuien. Distance between Matsumoto station and Shisuien is about 9km; you can cycle to the race venue in the morning but you will need front and rear lights.
  • Book accommodation in advance. Accommodation options can be slim to non-existent in the nearby vicinity.

​Alps Azumino Century Ride Executive Committee

English​
info@samuraisports.co.jp

Japanese
info@aacr.jp

Official Website (Japanese)
https://aacr.jp/sakura.html