Coastal roads, mountain villages and city centers across Kyushu become the course for four days during the Mynavi Tour de Kyushu 2026, a UCI-sanctioned international road cycling race.
First held in 2023, the Tour de Kyushu returns for its fourth edition in 2026. Beginning with the Sasebo Criterium on October 9, the race connects six prefectures: Nagasaki, Saga, Fukuoka, Oita, Kumamoto and Miyazaki. Top riders from Japan and overseas will race across the region in a series of stages.
One of the attractions of road racing is that the course is not a dedicated sporting venue, but the actual streets and roads of the region. Riders cover distances of more than 100 km in teams, tackling climbs and descents, changing wind conditions and tactical positioning within the pack as they race toward the finish. Along the route, there are opportunities beyond the main viewing areas to see the riders sweep past at close range, while experiencing the changing scenery and character of each area.
One of the highlights for Fukuoka is STAGE 1, the Saga-Fukuoka Stage. Starting at Hado Cape in Karatsu, the approximately 154 km course follows the Genkai Sea coastline, passes through Itoshima and finishes at Tenjin Bridge in central Fukuoka. Linking the Karatsu coast, the landscapes of Itoshima and downtown Fukuoka in a single race course, it is one of the stages that best represents the scale and character of the 2026 event.
Sasebo Criterium
The opening day features a criterium through central Sasebo around JR Sasebo Station and Sasebo Port. Riders complete 30 laps of an approximately 1.5 km circuit, covering a total distance of around 45 km. Because the riders pass the same points repeatedly, it is also an easy format to follow for those watching a road race for the first time.
- Friday, October 9, 2026
- Start: Scheduled for 13:00
- Course: Central Sasebo (around JR Sasebo Station and Sasebo Port)
- Distance: Approx. 45 km (approx. 1.5 km × 30 laps)
- Event venue: Sasebo 5bangai
- https://tourdekyushu.asia/stage/nagasaki/
STAGE 1 Saga-Fukuoka Stage
Starting at Hado Cape in Karatsu, this approximately 154 km road race follows the coastline overlooking the Genkai Sea before passing through Itoshima and entering Fukuoka City, with the finish at Tenjin Bridge. One of the defining features of the stage is the dramatic change in scenery, from coast to suburbs and finally the city center.
- Saturday, October 10, 2026
- Start: Scheduled for 10:00
- Course: Hado Cape, Karatsu → Karatsu City → Itoshima City → Tenjin Bridge, Fukuoka City
- Distance: Approx. 154 km
- https://tourdekyushu.asia/stage/saga-fukuoka/
STAGE 2 Oita-Kumamoto Stage
A demanding stage with a strong mountain profile, crossing the prefectural border from Bungoono in Oita to Minamiaso in Kumamoto. The course passes through the areas around Harajiri Falls and the Kuju Highlands before crossing the Aso region on its way to Minamiaso. Against the backdrop of Kyushu’s expansive mountain scenery, riders will be tested on both climbing ability and team strategy.
- Sunday, October 11, 2026
- Start: Scheduled for 10:00
- Course: Bungoono City Hall → Taketa City → Minamioguni Town → Ubuyama Village → Aso City → Takamori Town → Minamiaso Village Hall
- Distance: Approx. 128 km
- https://tourdekyushu.asia/stage/oita-kumamoto/
STAGE 3 Miyazaki-Nichinan Stage
The final stage heads from Miyazaki City toward the Nichinan Coast. Starting at Hinata Miyazaki Prefectural Comprehensive Sports Park, the riders travel through Nichinan before returning to Miyazaki City for the finish in front of the Miyazaki Prefectural Government Office. The approximately 124 km course connects Miyazaki’s distinctly southern coastal landscape with the city, and will determine the overall standings of the three-day stage race.
- Monday, October 12, 2026 (hol)
- Start: Scheduled for 9:00
- Course: Hinata Miyazaki Prefectural Comprehensive Sports Park, Miyazaki City → Nichinan City → Miyazaki Prefectural Government Office, Miyazaki City
- Distance: Approx. 124 km
- https://tourdekyushu.asia/stage/miyazaki/
Participating Teams
Eighteen teams from Japan and overseas are scheduled to compete in 2026. As of August 11, 16 teams have been announced. The field includes two teams from cycling’s highest UCI WorldTeam category, UAE Team Emirates XRG and XDS Astana Team. Japanese entrants include Fukuoka-based VC FUKUOKA, along with teams from elsewhere in Kyushu and across Japan.
*Participating teams and riders are subject to change, and additional entries may be announced.
UCI WorldTeams
- UAE Team Emirates XRG (WT / UAE)
- XDS Astana Team (WT / Kazakhstan)
UCI ProTeams
- TotalEnergies (PRT / France)
- Solution Tech – Vini Fantini (PRT / Italy)
UCI Continental Teams and others
- VC FUKUOKA (CT / Japan)
- Sparkle Oita Racing Team (CT / Japan)
- Aisan Racing Team (CT / Japan)
- Astemo Utsunomiya Blitzen (CT / Japan)
- KINAN Racing Team (CT / Japan)
- SHIMANO Racing (CT / Japan)
- TEAM UKYO (CT / Japan)
- VICTOIRE Hiroshima (CT / Japan) and others
* WT = UCI WorldTeam / PRT = UCI ProTeam / CT = UCI Continental Team
Mynavi Tour de Kyushu 2026
- October 9 (Fri.) to 12 (Mon., hol), 2026
- Locations: Nagasaki, Saga, Fukuoka, Oita, Kumamoto and Miyazaki prefectures
- Race format: Criterium and stage race
- Category: UCI Asia Tour 2.1
- Teams: 18 teams from Japan and overseas scheduled to participate
- Spectating: Free; details of paid viewing areas will be announced separately
- Live coverage scheduled on the official YouTube channel (@tourdekyushu)
- Website