Great Shiga Ichi 2026

What is the Great Shiga Ichi?

”Great Shiga Ichi” is a self-challenge event in which participants fully traverse the Shiga Round Trail encircling Shiga Prefecture, home to Lake Biwa. Also known as “Shiga Ichi”, this trail stretches 438 km with a total elevation gain of 28,300 m, ranking among Japan’s longest trails. More than 90% of the route consists of mountain paths or dirt forest roads. Though its elevations typically stay around 1,000 m—relatively low compared to major alpine regions—some segments are unclear or unmaintained, requiring solid route-finding skills and a certain level of hiking experience. Another key attraction is the abundance of historical sites, including ancient highways and old castle ruins. These features allow you to enjoy both magnificent scenery and traces of Japan’s heritage and local lifestyles.

Compared to “Great Northern Japanese Alps”, the lower elevations of Great Shiga Ichi reduce the barriers to entry, making it more accessible for those with less mountain experience. However, since there are no mountain huts like those found in the Northern Alps, participants must plan and supply their own food and gear—an excellent opportunity to develop essential mountain-travel skills. You might aim for the fastest possible finish time, or simply take your time exploring Shiga’s mountains and culture at a leisurely pace; the style is entirely up to you.

Sections with few travelers, extensive distances, and limited resupply options can feel daunting when attempted alone, but the support and camaraderie of fellow participants and supporters can be a tremendous source of encouragement. Experience the achievement and joy of circling Japan’s largest lake on your own two feet—join Great Shiga Ichi and discover the grandeur of Shiga’s epic trail.

IBUKI LIVE TRACKING

GREAT SHIGA ICHI 2026 Entry List

Upcoming Challenges

#	No.	Name	Category	Planned Start
1	1	田井中洋二 tainaka yoji	No Support	2026-03-20 07:00
Course: まだ検討中ですが、前回の26分割よりは少ない分割でトライします！ Intro: 昨年、大シガイチを完走しましたが、稜線をくる日くる日も歩いたあの感じが忘れられず、今年も舞い戻って来ました！分割はするつもりですが、地元の地のりを生かして誰にも頼らず、ルートには公共交通機関を使ってたどり着きたいと思います！
2	2	笹岡　誠 SASAOKA MAKOTO	No Support	2026-05-01 12:22
Course: 検討中です Intro: 取り急ぎ申し込みます。
3	3	卜部　光司 KOJI URABE	No Support	2026-03-20 23:00
Course: 半時計回りで、50キロ超づつを繋ぎたいと思ってます。詳細未定 Intro: 昨年参加して魅力にハマりました。コースの一部が変更になり、昨年とは違う景色が見られるのが嬉しいです😊自分の空いた予定に合わせて、コースをどこで区切っていくかを地図を見ながら考えるのも楽しみのひとつです。
4	4	コテク・フィリップ Kotek Filip	No Support	2026-03-21 09:00
Course: 来たっ！取り急ぎ申し込みます。詳細は後日記載させていただきます。現時点決めてることは下記の通り: 1) 時計回り、サポートなしでチャレンジ 2) 5分割以内で制覇したい 3) できれば3月中にスタートして、残雪を楽しみたい Intro: チェコ出身、大阪府箕面市在住、第一回目のイベントに参加したフィリップです。
5	5	赤木隆二 RYUJI AKAGI	Support & Pacer	2026-03-20 00:00
Course: 未定です Intro: 至高の暇つぶしに！！
6	6	山口晃永 koei yamaguchi	Support & Pacer	2026-03-20 13:04
Course: コースはまだ決めてません！去年の残りを頑張ってやり切ります❗️ Intro: 今年も留年制度を使って昨年の宿題を片付けに行きます❗️よろしくお願い致します🙇
7	7	三宅　彩香 Ayaka MIYAKE	Support & Pacer	2026-03-20 07:00
Course: コースと日程はこれから妄想しながら考えます！考えるのも楽しみです。 Intro: 昨年はリハビリ中で泣く泣くエントリーを見送り、サポートに回って、また、IBUKIで皆さんの追っかけをしてました。報告会での「来年は出ます！」と宣言通り出ます。エントリーNo.1を狙ってましたが、叶わず(笑) 熊と下りが恐怖ですが、走らずのんびり滋賀の自然と出会いを楽しみたいと思います。ご一緒いただける方もお待ちしております！
8	8	長谷川麻衣 MAI HASEGAWA	Support & Pacer	2026-03-20 09:00
Course: まだノープラン。 Intro: 留年制度あるってことで気楽に参加してみるよ
9	9	忍晃 SHINOBU AKIRA	Support & Pacer	2026-04-30 00:00
Course: 反時計回りで、目指せ一撃計画します Intro: 昨年は分割でたくさん楽しませていただいたので、今年は贅沢な山時間を楽みたいです。
10	10	中島　聡 SATORU NAKASHIMA	No Support	2026-05-02 00:00
Course: 未定 Intro: 楽しみたいです
11	11	佐々木　幹人 Sasaki Mikito	No Support	2026-03-20 07:00
Course: 大津港出発で反時計周りを予定してます。 3-4月で関ヶ原まで、GWからは関ヶ原から大津港まで。できれば5月中に踏破したいですが、天候、体調、モチベーションを考慮しながら安全第一で行動します。 Intro: 昨年の大北アルプスに続いて参加させて頂きます。今年のトレランレースや登山のトレーニングを兼ねて、滋賀一周トレイルを楽しみたいと思います。大北アルプス2025参加賞の雷鳥手拭いを持参しますので、どこかで見掛けたら声掛けて下さい。
12	12	池田　征寛 YUKIHIRO IKEDA	Support & Pacer	2026-03-21 00:00
Course: 7周目は時計回りで〜♪( ´θ｀)ノ Intro: 待ってました〜。しかし残念ながら背番号12…(;´д｀) 今年も楽しく遊びましょう！
13	13	小林憲司 KENJI KOBAYASHI	No Support	2026-03-20 10:00
Course: 一撃でいきたいところですが、日程確保も難しいため、分割になると思います分割具合によっては装備も変わってくるでしょうが、コースはこれから検討します Intro: 早くはないですが、コツコツと進み、楽しみたいと思います
14	14	渡邊強人 TSUYOHITO WATANABE	Support & Pacer	2026-03-20 07:00
Course: まだ未定ですが、ボチボチ行きます Intro: 今年で完了できるかは微妙ですが、楽しみ尽くします！

Event Period

March 20, 2026 (Fri)

〜 June 30, 2026 (Tue)

You can take on the challenge at any time during the period.

Eligibility

Those who have the skills and physical strength to safely complete the course of this event.
Those who have mountain insurance (including coverage for search and rescue costs).

Participation Fee

For participants who already have an IBUKI device: 10,000 yen (tax included)
For those without an IBUKI device: 15,000 yen (tax included)

Participation Application

You can register even during the event.

Rules

In this event, participants must traverse the designated mountain sections on foot as set by the organizer, while city (paved) sections may be chosen freely at the participant’s discretion. Please be sure to visit the monument at Otsu Port.
Participants are free to decide their start time within the event period, but must finish within the event period.
The start and end points, as well as the direction and route (including city areas), are at the participants’ discretion, as long as they satisfy the above condition. Any route changes in the city areas are permitted, provided that the entire journey remains continuous on foot.
They must carry an IBUKI GPS device and share their log on the official event page.
The submitted logs will be used to confirm passage along the course. The completion time will be recognized and published on the official website along with the participant’s ranking.
Participants must choose one of the following styles and declare their category. The category may change during the event if necessary (e.g., receiving support along the way):
- Support & Pacer Allowed: Participants may receive support or utilize pacers, relying on assistance from others.
- No Support or Pacer: Participants do not rely on any external support or pacers.
In all categories, participants may use vending machines or shops for resupply. Water replenishment is allowed anywhere.
Participants must carry all equipment themselves, excluding food and drinks resupplied during the journey. However, they may exchange gear at shops or any location they choose.
Participants may leave the course at any point and resume their challenge from any location later. In other words, as long as the entire course is traversed on foot during the event period, the order or direction of progress does not matter, and the challenge can be split into multiple segments—even returning home in between. They may use vehicles outside the official course, but must cover the designated route entirely on foot. If the challenge is conducted over multiple segments, the completion time is the elapsed time from the initial start to the final finish.
Participants must recognize that the event area includes many sections with unclear paths, requiring solid route-finding skills. Safety should be the top priority, and they should always act with ample reserve.
Participants are responsible for their own preparations and necessary measures for a multi-day trek, including selecting equipment, planning routes, arranging food supplies, submitting a climbing plan, and obtaining mountain insurance.
This event is an individual challenge; while the organizer will monitor participants and respond in emergencies, there is no compensation for accidents. Participants must join with this understanding.

Course

https://ibuki.run/ev/8964704438286635426/map

This is the official course for Dai Shiga Ichi. Participants are required to follow the entire route on foot.

Changes from 2025

A route grazing just below the summit of Mt. Ibuki, Shiga Prefecture's highest peak, has been added. The northern slope of Mt. Ibuki poses a risk of slipping during bad weather. The Ibuki Driveway runs slightly above it and can be walked outside of operating hours. If you feel danger, please consider using the Ibuki Driveway.
Sasamagadake in the south has been added. After May 12, construction on the Shin-Meishin Expressway will be completed, and the trail between Sasamagadake and Oishi will be passable. (A new course passing through a tunnel under the expressway will be created.) This route will become the official route after May 12, but until May 11, please take the detour route descending north from Sasamagadake by road.

Note that in the Okubuki area and the Yogo area, many sections are rarely traveled and the route can be unclear. Use a GPS-enabled map app or similar tool, and exercise utmost caution in route-finding.

Distance: about 450km

Total Elevation Gain: about 28,500mD+

Click here for the course map and GPX file.

We have also prepared a map that includes water sources, toilets, and baths. You can access it here:
Water/Toilet/Bath Map

If you are participating with MYIBUKI, please visit this event page and press the "Participate" button:
MYIBUKI Event Page