Japan's Largest Touring Rally SSTR2026 Announces This Year's AWARD Winners

The SSTR Organizing Committee (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative: Fukuma Fukushi) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 'SSTR2026 AWARD.' Following a rigorous selection process, winners across all categories have been determined. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming number of passionate and inspiring entries received this year. Our deepest applause goes out to every rider who participated.

SSTR2026 AWARD Winners Announcement

What is SSTR (Sunrise Sunset Touring Rally)?

Scene from the SSTR2026 special venue at the end of the Chirihama Nagisa Driveway (Ishikawa Prefecture)

SSTR Logo

SSTR (Sunrise Sunset Touring Rally) is a touring event for motorcycle enthusiasts, conceived in 2013 by adventurer Fukuma Fukushi. Participants begin at sunrise along Japan’s eastern coastline, collecting points by visiting designated checkpoints using an original GPS system, and aim to reach the finish line at Chirihama Nagisa Driveway in Ishikawa Prefecture before sunset. Unlike a race focused on speed or distance, SSTR emphasizes rediscovering the joy of motorcycle travel and creating personal adventures and stories.

About the SSTR AWARD

The SSTR AWARD honors riders who have completed SSTR in a given year and whose journey stands out for its emotional depth and individuality. The RESULT category was selected from registration and performance data of 14,097 total participants. The REPORT, MOVIE, PHOTO, and 'I Am the One!' categories were chosen through strict evaluation from over 400 submissions.

<Award Categories>

RESULT Category:

Awards based on records (oldest, youngest, highest points, etc.)

REPORT Category:

Award for moving race reports

MOVIE Category:

Award for videos capturing the journey

PHOTO Category:

Award for photographs capturing the best moments

'I Am the One!' Category:

Award for passionate dedication and unique personal themes

RESULT Category

Oldest Finisher Award: 87 years old (age as of race day)

Rider #12431: Mr. Kenji Nishimura

Youngest Finisher Award: 16 years old (age as of race day)

Rider #4189: Ms. Yuzu Ishihara

Rider #7421: Mr. Yugo Urayama

Rider #7762: Mr. Sota Yamashita

Rider #10220: Mr. Hayato Suzuki

Youngest Passenger Award: 7 years old

Rider #2558: Mr. Zensaku Yamazawa (Rider: Mr. Eisaku Yamazawa)

Rider #6094: Mr. Ricky (Rider: Mr. Rocky)

Rider #XXX: Mr. Kensei Kogamori (Rider: Mr. Teruhisa Kogamori)

Additionally, other record-breaking achievements such as the Highest Points Award and Longest Distance Award were also recognized.

Full list of RESULT category winners is available here.

SSTR2026 AWARD Full List of Winners

REPORT Category

Rider #1: Mr. Tatsuya Sato

SSTR2026 was a particularly significant milestone for me.

Excluding premium events, this marked my 10th participation. Moreover, under the bib color system introduced last year—where riders with 10 or more participations receive a 'red bib'—I wore the red bib for the first time this year.

Furthermore, another major event occurred this year.

By chance, I obtained bib number '1'—the most coveted number.……

Read full report

Rider #3063: Ms. Rina Nakayama

My first SSTR2026 entry was as a wedding entry! Before we started dating, he asked me, 'Want to join SSTR together?' That invitation sparked our relationship, and we participated as a couple. ……

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Rider #1919: Mr. Shinya Ichise

This was my first time participating in SSTR.

I had decided from the start to ride alone. Just as I felt excitement as a child discovering unknown roads on my bicycle, I wanted an adventure free from constraints—my own journey.

Therefore, I chose mostly backroads for my route.……

Read full report

Rider #3325: Mr. Ryokuchan

[Long-distance riding makes you age 10 years]

My first SSTR challenge was in 2025. Until then, I never imagined myself actually riding. As a motorcycle mechanic, taking holidays during peak seasons is frowned upon in the industry. Despite being surrounded by bikes daily, trips to Hokkaido or events like SSTR felt like distant fantasies.……

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MOVIE Category

Rider #10173: Mr. Ryota Kawakami

Rider #9237: Mr. Napoli

Rider #7006: Mr. Nattogohan

Rider #5253: Mr. Yuu.feat. Honoka

PHOTO Category

Rider #12240: Mr. Keyu

Rider #6604: Mr. Haru

Rider #2196: Mr. Pachi

Rider #3364: Mr. Smirnoff Bike

Rider #4160: Mr. Yuuki wa Suitai Shimashita

Rider #11939: Mr. Sadamasa

'I Am the One!' Category

This category honors unique, deeply personal themes that reflect each rider’s passion and dedication—elements not captured in performance data.

Rider #5253: Mr. Yuu.feat. Honoka

Bond of Father and Daughter – A Grand Adventure with My 8-Year-Old

Two years ago, while looking at photos from a previous SSTR, my 8-year-old daughter suddenly said:

'Dad, I want to join SSTR.'

For her, who had only ridden tandem to local classes, motorcycles were simply fun.

She didn’t yet grasp the challenges of long-distance riding or the sense of time.

I carefully explained the limitations of our Address V125S—only backroads, not just fun, and involving risks.

Her response surprised me:

'But it’s the most fun thing ever, right?'……

Read full report

Rider #2799: Mr. Torichan

The Day I Finally Stood Beside Her

This SSTR held far greater meaning than just an event—it was a defining moment in our lives, a special joint challenge with my wife.

We’ve known each other for 10 years and have been riding motorcycles together for 7.

Back in university, since our homes were close, I used to give my then-girlfriend (now wife) tandem rides to campus. That sparked her interest in bikes. Without telling me, she enrolled in a riding school and surprised me by earning her license.

Later, though different in engine size, we both got our Ninja bikes on the same day, becoming the 'Ninja Couple.' Over the years, on March 12 this year, we officially married, now known as the 'Ninja Married Couple,' going everywhere together.

For us, this SSTR became the place to manifest our promise: 'We will keep riding together.'……

Read full report

Rider #2611: Mr. Yutaka Matsuura

A Decade-Long Pulse, Treading Chirihama with My Ultimate Partner.

SSTR is not something that began for me yesterday or today.

That day, I fell in love at first sight with the sight of riders on Chirihama…