About

The Joetsu Myoko Express Trail delivers an unusually convenient trail-running experience in Niigata Prefecture, starting and finishing at a Shinkansen station before quickly trading the urban setting for nature. The course moves through varied terrain, linking singletrack with countryside paths, traditional thatched-roof villages, and terraced rice fields that give the route a strong sense of place. Runners can expect a dynamic challenge, with rolling hills opening to views of the Sea of Japan and stretches through ancient beech forest adding a deeper wild atmosphere. The overall feel is both accessible and adventurous, combining cultural landscapes, scenic variety, and a rewarding endurance test.