RACE TRIP
BAMBI 100
Trip Guide
To stay over, or not?
BAMBI 100 is one of Japan's most selective 100-milers: 30 runners, chosen by essay. Four 40-km clockwise loops from Ikoma Sanroku Park, no rankings, no course markings — GPX self-navigation is mandatory.
- Check-in is race morning (Sat Nov 21) 6:00–7:00 with an 8:00 start. Buses from Ikoma Station run roughly hourly and the first one likely won't make it — so it's stay-over or drive
- The obvious base is the Fureai Center inside the very same park: the only walk-to-the-start option
- It's a 40-hour race. Plan lodging and transport for your support crew (allowed at Ikoma Tech and Heguri Kita Park) and pacers (from lap 3) alongside your own
The Fureai Center is a small public facility with limited rooms. Call as soon as your entry is confirmed (announced late March) — it may fill with race-related bookings.
Runner-friendly places to stay
Ikoma Sanroku Park Fureai Center
奈良県生駒市俵口町2088
5 min walk to the start
✓ Verified July 15, 2026・Auto-collectedWithin the same park. Walking time is a map-based estimate
Inside the race park itself — the only walk-to-start option. A public facility with shared-style rooms and a proper bath (sauna + open-air, 17:00–21:30). Meals need booking 10 days ahead; breakfast at 7:30 misses check-in, so bring your own. Reserve by phone.
Kanko Ryokan Yamato
奈良県生駒市門前町12-8
15 min by transit
✓ Verified July 15, 2026・Auto-collected~15 min by car to the venue (map-based estimate; no race-morning bus)
A family-run ryokan in the Hozanji temple town (2 min from the cable-car station, free parking). Driving to the venue is the realistic option. Two private family baths. Confirm breakfast details by phone.
Trip timeline
Planning & booking
Phase 1First hurdle: the essay
✓ Verified July 15, 2026・Official source- 30 runners (15 women / 15 men), ¥8,000 entry, essay selection. 2026 entries are closed (starters announced late March)
- 160 km, ~6,000 m of climbing, 40-hour limit (Nov 21, 8:00 → Nov 23, 0:00)
- Mandatory: two lights + spare batteries, blinker, phone + battery, cup, insurance card, IBUKI GPS tracker. GPX navigation means a GPS watch is strongly advised
Race morning
Phase 3Race morning (check-in 6:00–7:00, start 8:00)
✓ Verified July 15, 2026・Official source- Check-in at Ikoma Tech 6:00–7:00 (photo + GPX file check), briefing 7:30
- Buses from Ikoma / Higashi-Ikoma stations (¥200, ~16 min, roughly hourly) won't reliably make check-in. Sleep in the park or drive
- One car per runner+crew may park at the start. Cutoffs: lap-4 start by Nov 22 16:00, Heguri Kita Park by 20:00
Browse the whole area
Opens an external booking site with check-in set to the day before the race.
Times and travel durations were accurate when last verified. Schedules change — always check official sources before race day.
Links to external booking sites (affiliate programs may be used). Reservations and payments are handled on each site.
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