Event Summary.gif){kind=small}
Water vapor that forms over the ocean falls as rain or snow on the mountains, eventually becoming rivers that nourish the forests and villages before returning to the ocean once more. “SEA TO SUMMITⓇ” is an environmental sports event that encourages participants to reflect on the cycle of nature and contemplate the irreplaceable value of the natural world as they travel—using only human power—from the sea (by kayak) to the village (by bicycle) and finally to the mountaintop (by hiking).
Event Location:Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture; Setonaikai National Park (Montbell Friend Town, Bizen City）
Date:November 28 (Sat) and 29 (Sun), 2026*The event will take place rain or shine.
Schedule:(Day 1) Environmental Symposium (Day 2) Activities
Capacity (for activity participation):First come, first served300 peopleLimited
Application Period:September 28, 2026 (Mon) – October 28, 2026 (Wed)
[Day 1] Environmental Symposium.gif){kind=small}
With a diverse lineup of guests, you can explore and learn about the natural environment and regional development from various perspectives, all under the theme of “Coexistence Among People, Society, and Nature.”
Date and Time: Saturday, November 28, 20262:00 PM–3:00 PM
Symposium Venue: Chiobita Sports Park, Bizen City
Participation Fee:There is no participation fee, and anyone is welcome to attend (no advance registration required).
Presentation Title: Traveling Across the Islands of the Higashibi Region
Performer: Masaki Kuma(Masaki Kuman)
Affiliation: Senior Editor, Editorial Department, Sanyo Shimbun Kurashiki Headquarters
Biography:Born in 1977 in the Kojima district of Kurashiki City. Joined the Sanyo Shimbun in 2002. After serving as a reporter in the Social Affairs and Economics Departments of the Editorial Bureau and as bureau chief of the Soja Branch, he became a member of the Editorial Committee Office in the Editorial Bureau in 2022. In 2023, he was in charge of “A Warning from the Satoumi,” a series covering changes in the local marine environment. From October 2024 to June 2026, he serialized “Crossing the Islands: A Setouchi Sea Kayak Journey,” in which he circumnavigated the 121 islands of the Bisan Seto by sea kayak. He has held his current position since June 2026.
The difficulty levels and distances for kayaking, cycling, and hiking activities vary from event to event. Each event has its own unique features—ranging from beginner-friendly courses to challenging routes for advanced participants—so you can choose an event that matches your skill level or use it as a stepping stone to challenge yourself further.
Date and Time: Sunday, November 29, 20267:00 a.m.–
Starting Point: Chiobita Sports Park, Bizen City
FinishLocation: Mt. Otaki Observation Shelter
Bizen City Chiovita Sports Park → Maejima Loop
Bizen City Chiobita Sports Park → Former Shizutani School (Relay Point) → Refle Center Bizen
Refle Center Bizen → Otakiyama Observation Deck
Venue for the Drawing Ceremony and Closing Ceremony: Chiobita Sports Park, Bizen City
Participation Options:
・Individual Division (Eligibility: High school students and older): Participants compete alone from the starting line to the finish line.
・Team Division (Age Requirement: Middle school students and older): Participants compete in teams of 2 to 5 members, starting from the starting line and finishing at the finish line. While each member may participate in all events, it is also possible for team members to divide the events among themselves.
・Para Challenge Division: Participants with disabilities or those who lack confidence in their physical abilities can participate in only the stages of their choice, based on their individual capabilities. They can also aim to complete all stages by participating as part of a team with able-bodied individuals or pacers. The age requirements are the same as those for the “Individual Division” and “Team Division.”
*If you have a child in elementary school or younger and are considering having them participate, please contact us.
*If two or more people are paddling a kayak, it will be classified as a team event.
Eligibility:
・Participants who can provide their own paddle sports equipment, cycling gear, pacers, and other personal equipment and support necessary for the event
・Individuals who have received approval to participate in the event from the event secretariat
・People who can attend both Day 1 and Day 2
*Participation is limited to individuals who do not have heart disease, other medical conditions, or other health concerns.
*Participants under the age of 18 must have parental consent to participate.
Participation Fee (a package that includes entry, a limited-edition hat or T-shirt, and sponsor-provided items):
・Singles Division:13,200 yen (including tax)
・Team Division:13,200 yen (tax included) × number of people
・Para Challenge Division:13,200 yen (tax included) × number of participants (total number of people, including able-bodied participants and guides)
・Resident Discount (for Bizen City residents):6,600 yen (tax included) × number of people
・Student Discount (for college students and younger):6,600 yen (tax included) × number of people
・Hometown Tax Contribution Limit:45,000 yen* Registration opens Thursday, October 1
*As a general rule, participation fees that have already been paid are non-refundable.
*Hat: Features the SEA TO SUMMITⓇ logo; T-shirt: Features the SEA TO SUMMITⓇ logo, event name, and year
*To participate through the Hometown Tax program, you must: (1) make a Hometown Tax donation to Bizen City, and (2) register for the event with SEA TO SUMMIT.
General Information for the Entire Tournament:
・Please make sure you are in good health before participating.
・The organizers will provide first aid for accidents and illnesses that occur during the event, but assume no other liability whatsoever.
・You must attend the Environmental Symposium on the first day. Attendance on the second day only is not permitted.
・Please follow the instructions of security guards and event staff. In the event of a traffic accident or other incident, contact the police immediately and follow their instructions.
・Please bring your own water-carrying gear to stay hydrated. Other than that, there are no restrictions on the equipment you may bring.
・Please bring your own required equipment and place it at the designated location before the tournament begins.
・Please refrain from bringing pets to the event venue and stages, which are designated as Special Protection Zones within a national park.
・The organizer assumes no responsibility whatsoever for any damages incurred (such as the purchase of goods or the making of reservations) in the event that participation is not approved.
・The course, venue, and other details are subject to change without notice.
・Please be very careful not to litter or engage in any activities that violate nature conservation laws.
・Please refrain from making noise or engaging in behavior that might disturb local residents during the event.
・We will email participants details—such as the drop-off locations for kayaks and bicycles and parking information for participants—approximately two weeks in advance.
[Kayaking] ~Regarding the "Stage of the Sea"~:
・You can participate using canoes, kayaks, SUPs (stand-up paddleboards), duckies, rafts, and other similar vessels.
・Eligible boat types are limited to boats equipped with buoyancy devices or boats that are inherently buoyant (such as inflatable boats).
・Participants must be able to perform self-rescue, including reboarding the boat on their own.
・Please wear a life jacket and carry a whistle.
・Please attach a flag to canoes, kayaks, and similar vessels, and attach a leash to SUPs.
[Motorcycles] — Regarding the Sato Stage —:
・Please wear a helmet when riding your bicycle on the course.
・Please equip your bicycle with lights, brakes (control devices), a bell, and reflectors (tail lights) as required by law.
・Please ride a bicycle that meets the specifications and has the features appropriate for the event, and ride in accordance with the Road Traffic Act.
・You may also participate on an e-bike (electric-assist bicycle).
[Haiku] ~Regarding the Mountain Stage~:
・Please bring your own hiking gear (rain gear, headlamp, etc.).
・Collecting natural items (animals, plants, soil, rocks, etc.) and walking off the designated trails are prohibited.
・Please walk on the trail, giving priority to general hikers.
Please enter the required information using the "Enter" button below.
*This will redirect you to the official Montbell website.
The deadline for submitting entries is,Wednesday, October 28。
First come, first served300 peopleLimited availability (registration will close once the maximum number of groups is reached).
*Please carefully review the eligibility requirements before entering.
*If you would like to rent a kayak or bicycle, please make a reservation through the contact information below before registering.
*If you are applying through the Hometown Tax Donation program, please register after completing the donation process.
Accommodation Inquiries:
Bizen Tourism Association (General Incorporated Association) TEL: 0869-72-1919
Inquiries about kayak and bicycle rentals (for a fee):
Okayama Bizen SEA TO SUMMIT Executive Committee (Bizen City Tourism Promotion Division) TEL: 0869-64-1832
Click here to make a reservation (Go to the reservation site) *Rental reservations are scheduled to open on Monday, the 28th, at 1:00 p.m.
Inquiries regarding the Okayama Bizen Tournament:
Okayama Bizen SEA TO SUMMIT Executive Committee (Bizen City Tourism Promotion Division) TEL: 0869-64-1832
Montbell ClubMembers are eligible for special benefits at our partner stores. For more details, please contact us using the information above, orMontbell Friend Town: Bizen CityPlease see the details page.
Bizen City Chiovita Sports Park (Opening Ceremony and Starting Line):
・For those arriving by car: Approximately 15 minutes from the Bizen IC or Wake IC on the Sanyo Expressway, and approximately 10 minutes from the Tsurumi IC on the Okayama Blue Line.
・For those arriving by train: About a 10-minute taxi ride from Ibe Station on the JR Ako Line
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The Okayama Bizen SEA TO SUMMIT Organizing Committee donates 500 yen per participant to local environmental conservation organizations as a contribution toward environmental conservation.
The organizations that will receive environmental conservation contributions from each tournament in fiscal year 2025 are:Click here >>
Organizers, Sponsors, etc.
Organized by:Okayama Bizen SEA TO SUMMIT Organizing Committee
Conference Chair:Nobuyuki Nagasaki (Mayor of Bizen)
Organizing Committee:Bizen Tourism Association (General Incorporated Association), Bizen Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bizen Junior Chamber (General Incorporated Association), Bizen City Labor Union Council, Bizen Higashi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bizen City Facilities Management Corporation (General Incorporated Foundation), Bizen City Sports Association, Okayama Prefecture Sports Promotion Division, Okayama Prefecture Bizen Regional Bureau Community Development Promotion Division, Montbell Co., Ltd., Bizen City Tourism Promotion Division, Bizen City Lifelong Learning Division, SEA TO SUMMIT® Liaison Council (Secretariat: Montbell Co., Ltd., Public Relations Department)
Sponsored by:Japan Tourism Agency, Japan Sports Agency, Forestry Agency, Chugoku-Shikoku Regional Environment Office of the Ministry of the Environment, Okayama Prefecture Tourism Federation (Public Interest Incorporated Association), Japan Eco-Truck Promotion Council
Special Sponsor:
Sponsored by:
