Japan's First 9-Day North-South Motorcycle Rally 'POLE to POLE2026' Announced!

The Japan Riders Forum (headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo; President: Fukashi Kazama) has announced the launch of 'POLE to POLE2026 (Pole to Pole 2026)', a motorcycle touring rally connecting Japan's southernmost point, Cape Sata (Kagoshima), to its northernmost point, Cape Sōya (Hokkaido). The event will take place from Saturday, September 19, 2026, to Sunday, September 27, 2026, with entry guidelines released today. Registration for this event opens on Friday, July 17, 2026, at 17:00.

Led by adventurer and rally producer Fukashi Kazama, who has organized numerous touring rallies, this event goes beyond simply riding a motorcycle. It aims to challenge riders' self-management abilities and awaken their survival spirit when facing nature. After a two-year hiatus, this long-awaited event introduces a new class with mandatory camping inspired by the Dakar Rally's bivouac system, proposing a socially relevant and innovative form of motorcycle travel that engages with Japan's harsh yet beautiful natural environment.

Two New Classes and Mandatory Official Camps

As a new initiative for this event, the organizers have introduced mandatory 'official camps' reminiscent of tent camping (bivouac) in the Dakar Rally. Participants completing all stages will choose from two classes that test their load-carrying and camping capabilities. This structure evaluates not only riding skills but also comprehensive outdoor abilities such as packing gear on a motorcycle and managing self-sustained camping.

1. ADVENTURE Class

A class requiring overnight camping using event-provided tents and cots on designated days (capacity: 170 bikes).

2. NOMADO Challenge Class

An ultimate minimalist class where participants must carry all camping gear on their motorcycles, transport it to official campgrounds, and set up tents entirely on their own throughout the event (capacity: 30 bikes).

Event Overview: Five Stages

The journey across Japan consists of five stages over nine days. In addition to full-route participation, entries for 'section participation'—riding only specific segments—are also accepted.

Schedule: September 19 (Sat) – September 27 (Sun), 2026

Main Itinerary by Stage

[Stage 1 (9/20)] Omori Kaigan Park Multi-Purpose Exchange Facility (Misaki Dome / Provisional), Minamiosumi Town, Kagoshima Prefecture → Yufuin Onsen Base Camp, Yufuin, Oita Prefecture

[Stage 2 (9/21–22)] Yufuin Onsen Base Camp, Yufuin, Oita Prefecture → Kinka-zan Greenland, Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture

[Stage 3 (9/23)] Kinka-zan Greenland, Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture → Roots Inawashiro, Inawashiro Town, Fukushima Prefecture

[Stage 4 (9/24)] Michi-no-Eki Inawashiro (Provisional Start), Inawashiro Town, Fukushima Prefecture → Shibasaki District Health Recreation Facility, Noshiro Town, Aomori Prefecture

[Stage 5 (9/25–27)] Hakodate City, Hokkaido → Attoko Town, Hokkaido → Horokanai Town, Hokkaido → Wakkanai City (Sōya Misaki Park Parking Lot), Hokkaido

Completion Requirements:

Visits to designated Way Points in each stage (section participants: at least 1; full-route participants: at least 33), achievement of required points (section participants: 12+ pts; full-route participants: 80+ pts and visits to at least 4 designated 'poles' defined by Japan Riders Forum), full-route participants only: attendance at one or more official meetings and participation in official camps.

Recruitment Guidelines and Registration Schedule

'POLE to POLE2026' operates on a first-come, first-served basis with limited capacity.

Total Capacity:

1,000 motorcycles across all stages

Full-route participation: 200 bikes (including 30 in the NOMADO Challenge Class)

Registration Period:

July 17, 2026 (Fri) 17:00 – July 30, 2026 (Thu) 23:59 (ends when capacity is reached)

Registration Method:

Via the JRF ENTRY SYSTEM

Entry Fee (Solo):

One stage only: ¥12,000 – Full-route ADVENTURE Class: ¥54,000 / Full-route NOMADO Challenge Class: ¥44,000 (Multiple stages and tandem entries available. See official website for details.)

Event Details

Event Name

POLE to POLE 2026

Event Period

Pre-event party on Saturday, September 19, 2026 – Finish celebration on Sunday, September 27, 2026

Route

[South Start – North Finish]

Cape Sata, Kagoshima Prefecture (Start) → Cape Sōya, Hokkaido (Finish)

※ Composed of 5 stages (approximately 3,000 km)

Eligibility

Applicants must meet at least one of the following conditions:

• Annual riding distance of 3,000 km or more, or cumulative riding distance of 10,000 km or more

• Completion of SSTR (Sunrise Sunset Touring Rally) at least twice

• Completion of 4-Pole or 16-Pole Tour at least once (Reference: List of Japan's 16 Poles)

Organizer

Japan Riders Forum (JRF)

Official Website

Contact

Japan Riders Forum (JRF)

Address: 9F, Hasebe 2nd Building, 5-21-2 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0012

TEL: 03-3447-8522

E-MAIL: [email protected]

Official Website: https://www.round4poles.com/poletopole2026/

Organization Overview:

Founded in 2003 to promote better two-wheeler culture and enhance the social value of motorcycles and riders in Japan.

We strive to improve the social environment so that all riders are recognized and accepted as members of society, while engaging in social contribution activities such as disaster relief and regional revitalization utilizing the mobility of motorcycles.

Representative events include Japan's largest touring rally 'SSTR (Sunrise Sunset Touring Rally)', which drives regional revitalization and motorcycle culture, the socially contributive 'Nippon Oen Touring', and the women-led rally 'Mother Lake Rally'. We organize diverse motorcycle events that transform the joy of riding into societal joy.