[Recruitment Starts May 1st (Fri)] Asama Star Crosswalk 2026 to be Held! Challenge the 'Galaxy Road' under a Starry Sky, Specially Opened for Night Walkers in the Asama Foothills!
The 'Asama Star Crosswalk 2026,' a night walking event to enjoy the natural beauty of the Asama foothills spanning Nagano and Gunma prefectures, will be held on August 29-30, 2026. This year, the courses have been renewed, introducing two new routes, including the specially opened 'Galaxy Road' under a starry sky. Recruitment begins on May 1st.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 1, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 1, 2026 at 23:59 (13h 27m after Collected)
Click here to register
What is Asama Star Crosswalk?
This wide-area regional event, held in the area spanning Nagano and Gunma prefectures, has been organized 20 times in the past.
Through night walking on forest roads within Joshin'etsu Kogen National Park from evening to late night, participants can experience close contact with nature and enjoy the charm of the night wilderness, which is rarely experienced in daily life.
Last year, approximately 550 people participated from all over the country. The age range was wide, and the purposes of participation varied from 'starry sky' and 'extraordinary experience' to physical challenge and self-discipline.
Course Renewal from This Year! The Background
This event has undergone a major review of its structure, while maintaining the challenging value of walking in the Asama foothills at night, and considering summer weather risks.
Shifting the focus from traditional 'distance' to 'quality of experience,' two new courses have been established: the 'VERTICAL ROUTE (18km)' challenging altitude differences, and the iconic 'SILVER WAY ROUTE (25km)' offering views of the starry sky.
Instead of crossing prefectural borders and distances, we emphasize the 'cross as an experience' where the world view shifts from a castle town to a highland, providing a place for essential self-challenge.
Event Highlights
- [Only accessible during this event! 'Galaxy Road']
The Yunomaru Takamine shared forest road, normally closed at night and in winter, will be specially opened only during this event, allowing night walking.
Please enjoy an extraordinary experience 'as if walking towards the galaxy.'
- [Local specialty treats and wonderful participation prizes]
Along the way and at checkpoints, local fresh highland vegetables and pork soup (subject to change) from Tomi City and Komoro City, Nagano Prefecture, will be provided.
The event starts at a plaza near Komoro Station, so you can also enjoy shopping in the station area before the start.
Participant Voices
- "The unique course is attractive. It was my first time participating, but the hospitality from before the start to after the goal was truly moving."
- "The starry sky was simply amazing. I've been to many places where you can see the stars, but this was the most beautiful I've ever seen. There was also a corner where you could look through a telescope, which was great.
The aid stations were well-stocked with local products, which was nice. Thanks to the body maintenance, I think I was able to persevere for a long distance and time."
- "I saw Saturn through the telescope. It was great to see the starry sky."
- "All the treats, water supply, and toilets at the checkpoints were very helpful. I passed many patrol cars, and it was reassuring to know that the event was still going on and I was on the right course! The astronomical observation experience was deeply moving."
- "The chilled cucumber was very delicious.
I've participated for three consecutive years, and I have the impression that things are improving in various ways each year, and I'm grateful that participants' feedback is being reflected."
Event Overview
- Date & Time: August 29, 2026 (Sat) 16:00 - August 30, 2026 (Sun) 1:00
- Courses:
- ① 18km VERTICAL ROUTE
[Seseragi no Oka ~ Takamine Mountain Park]
- ② 25km SILVER WAY (Galaxy Road) ROUTE
[Seseragi no Oka ~ Takamine Kogen Hotel ~ Ikenotaira Marsh ~ Takamine Mountain Park]
- *The 25km SILVER WAY (Galaxy Road) ROUTE will be decided on the day at Takamine Kogen Hotel.
- *For safety management, time limits and checkpoints will be set.
- *If the time limit is exceeded, the organizer may change the route or terminate participation.
- Fee: Junior high school students to adults 8,000 yen / Elementary school students in 3rd grade and above 6,000 yen
- Rain or Shine: Courses may be changed or restricted in case of rain.
- Eligibility:
- Healthy individuals aged 3rd grade elementary school or older (due to the nature of night and mountain events, elementary school students must be accompanied by a guardian in principle).
- Those with chronic illnesses must obtain a doctor's permission.
- Those requiring assistance must secure their own assistant (the assistant must also apply for participation).
- Those who can comply with event rules and traffic regulations.
- Capacity: First 700 applicants
- *For safety management, the SILVER WAY ROUTE has a time limit and a maximum capacity (300 people).
- Application Period: May 1, 2026 (Thu) - July 12, 2026 (Sun)
- *Applications will close once capacity is reached.
Click here to register
About NPO Asama Foothills International Nature School (Asama Star Crosswalk Executive Committee Secretariat)
This school was established to promote sustainable regional tourism and environmental conservation activities in the foothills surrounding Mount Asama, one of Japan's representative active volcanoes.
Amidst the rich nature of the Asama foothills, we offer programs that convey the charm of the Asama foothills to visitors through nature activities and nature conservation activities.
Rich nature of Asama Foothills / Takamine Kogen and volcanic resources
Keywords:
What is Asama Star Crosswalk?
This wide-area regional event, held in the area spanning Nagano and Gunma prefectures, has been organized 20 times in the past.
Through night walking on forest roads within Joshin'etsu Kogen National Park from evening to late night, participants can experience close contact with nature and enjoy the charm of the night wilderness, which is rarely experienced in daily life.
Last year, approximately 550 people participated from all over the country. The age range was wide, and the purposes of participation varied from 'starry sky' and 'extraordinary experience' to physical challenge and self-discipline.
Course Renewal from This Year! The Background
This event has undergone a major review of its structure, while maintaining the challenging value of walking in the Asama foothills at night, and considering summer weather risks.
Shifting the focus from traditional 'distance' to 'quality of experience,' two new courses have been established: the 'VERTICAL ROUTE (18km)' challenging altitude differences, and the iconic 'SILVER WAY ROUTE (25km)' offering views of the starry sky.
Instead of crossing prefectural borders and distances, we emphasize the 'cross as an experience' where the world view shifts from a castle town to a highland, providing a place for essential self-challenge.
Event Highlights
- [Only accessible during this event! 'Galaxy Road']
The Yunomaru Takamine shared forest road, normally closed at night and in winter, will be specially opened only during this event, allowing night walking.
Please enjoy an extraordinary experience 'as if walking towards the galaxy.'
- [Local specialty treats and wonderful participation prizes]
Along the way and at checkpoints, local fresh highland vegetables and pork soup (subject to change) from Tomi City and Komoro City, Nagano Prefecture, will be provided.
The event starts at a plaza near Komoro Station, so you can also enjoy shopping in the station area before the start.
Participant Voices
- "The unique course is attractive. It was my first time participating, but the hospitality from before the start to after the goal was truly moving."
- "The starry sky was simply amazing. I've been to many places where you can see the stars, but this was the most beautiful I've ever seen. There was also a corner where you could look through a telescope, which was great.
The aid stations were well-stocked with local products, which was nice. Thanks to the body maintenance, I think I was able to persevere for a long distance and time."
- "I saw Saturn through the telescope. It was great to see the starry sky."
- "All the treats, water supply, and toilets at the checkpoints were very helpful. I passed many patrol cars, and it was reassuring to know that the event was still going on and I was on the right course! The astronomical observation experience was deeply moving."
- "The chilled cucumber was very delicious.
I've participated for three consecutive years, and I have the impression that things are improving in various ways each year, and I'm grateful that participants' feedback is being reflected."
Event Overview
- Date & Time: August 29, 2026 (Sat) 16:00 - August 30, 2026 (Sun) 1:00
- Courses:
- ① 18km VERTICAL ROUTE
[Seseragi no Oka ~ Takamine Mountain Park]
- ② 25km SILVER WAY (Galaxy Road) ROUTE
[Seseragi no Oka ~ Takamine Kogen Hotel ~ Ikenotaira Marsh ~ Takamine Mountain Park]
- *The 25km SILVER WAY (Galaxy Road) ROUTE will be decided on the day at Takamine Kogen Hotel.
- *For safety management, time limits and checkpoints will be set.
- *If the time limit is exceeded, the organizer may change the route or terminate participation.
- Fee: Junior high school students to adults 8,000 yen / Elementary school students in 3rd grade and above 6,000 yen
- Rain or Shine: Courses may be changed or restricted in case of rain.
- Eligibility:
- Healthy individuals aged 3rd grade elementary school or older (due to the nature of night and mountain events, elementary school students must be accompanied by a guardian in principle).
- Those with chronic illnesses must obtain a doctor's permission.
- Those requiring assistance must secure their own assistant (the assistant must also apply for participation).
- Those who can comply with event rules and traffic regulations.
- Capacity: First 700 applicants
- *For safety management, the SILVER WAY ROUTE has a time limit and a maximum capacity (300 people).
- Application Period: May 1, 2026 (Thu) - July 12, 2026 (Sun)
- *Applications will close once capacity is reached.
Click here to register
About NPO Asama Foothills International Nature School (Asama Star Crosswalk Executive Committee Secretariat)
This school was established to promote sustainable regional tourism and environmental conservation activities in the foothills surrounding Mount Asama, one of Japan's representative active volcanoes.
Amidst the rich nature of the Asama foothills, we offer programs that convey the charm of the Asama foothills to visitors through nature activities and nature conservation activities.
Rich nature of Asama Foothills / Takamine Kogen and volcanic resources
Keywords: