UPDATE: The Ketsujori event for 2024 has been cancelled due to inadequate snowfall this year.

The Shirakami Sanchi Fujisato Ketusjori World Championship is an annual winter event held in Fujisato Town. At this event, foreigners are more than welcome to compete alongside locals for the championship. This also makes for a perfect on-the-side activity to add to your itinerary when you’re visiting Akita Shirakami in late winter.

How do you ‘ketsujori‘?

There are two types of competitions called ‘Sled Jump’ and ‘Sled Time Race’, and participants use a fertilizer bag to sled down a snowy slope. Similar to ski jumping competitions, participants are scored based on criteria such as the distance they jump and sledding form.

Feel free to enjoy skiing afterward (free rentals at the Fujisato Ski Resort) or head down for a relaxing warm soak in the hot springs near the venue. We highly recommend the Yunosawa Onsen Area’s Nagominoyu rotenburo (outdoor hot spring) which offers relaxing winter views of the partially frozen Choshi Falls nearby.

[Venue] Fujisato Ski Resort (special venue)

[How to sign up] Online
*Application deadline for 2024 is until 21:00 on 26 January 2024.
*Reception will be closed as soon as the capacity is reached on a first-come, first-served basis.
*In principle, applications by phone, email, etc. are not accepted.

[Event Schedule for 2024]

• 9:30-10:00: Reception
• 10:00-10:45: Sled Jump – Test Run
• 10:45-11:00: Opening Ceremony
• 11:00-12:00: Sled Jump Competition
  Serving of Warm Soup
• 12:00-12:45:  Sled Time Race – Test Run
• 12:45-13:45: Sled Time Race Competition
• 14:15-14:30: Award ceremony & Closing ceremony
  Commemorative Photo

[Facilities on-site]
*Kitchen cars are available on the day of the event.
*Ski lodge (restrooms, lockers, vending machines, free ski rentals, etc.)
*Car Park