Preserving Hokedake: The
Grassroots Work of Loose Riders Miyazaki

At an established downhill venue in southern Japan, a small group of local riders is helping preserve Miyazaki’s mountain bike heritage while creating a stronger connection for the region’s riding community.

Located in Kunitomi, Miyazaki Prefecture, Hokedake Park has supported mountain biking for more than two decades. Although it is not operated as a dedicated mountain bike park, its original downhill course, chairlift access and history as a race venue have made it an important part of the region’s riding scene.

Today, the trails are cared for by the seven riders who make up Loose Riders Miyazaki. The local chapter brings together a small but committed crew working to preserve the existing network, support the local riding community and make Hokedake more accessible to visitors searching for mountain biking in southern Japan.

Creating a Point of Connection

Loose Riders Miyazaki was established as part of the wider international Loose Riders community, giving the local group a recognised identity and a direct connection with riders beyond the prefecture.

The chapter provides an important point of contact for those interested in riding at Hokedake. Through the Loose Riders network and the group’s Instagram account, visitors can ask about current conditions, seek local information and connect with riders who know the trails.

This visibility is particularly valuable in a region where detailed information about mountain biking can be difficult to find. Hokedake does not have a dedicated MTB website or an official trail map, making the knowledge shared by the local crew an important resource for anyone planning to visit.

More broadly, the chapter gives Miyazaki’s small riding community a platform through which it can share its trails, culture and identity with the rest of Japan.

Mountain Biking Within a Public Park

Hokedake is a large public recreation area managed by the town of Kunitomi. Alongside mountain biking, the park offers camping and barbecue facilities, a dog run, carp ponds, tennis courts, mini golf and open grass areas used by families and other visitors.

A chairlift serves the park’s grass-skiing and mountain-boarding area while also providing access for mountain bikers during the operating season.

Mountain biking has been part of Hokedake since 2000, when a downhill course and riding area were developed by leading riders of the era. According to information available to the local group, much of the original construction was completed by hand.

Between 2016 and 2023, Hokedake was also used as a venue for the Japanese Downhill Series. That period helped establish the location within Japan’s downhill community and connected Miyazaki with the broader national racing scene.

While Hokedake does not hold official status as a dedicated MTB park, mountain biking remains recognised within its wider operations. An MTB lift ticket can be purchased from the park’s ticket machine, and mountain biking is represented in the park pamphlet, although detailed information about the trails is not currently included.

A mountain bike lift pass costs ¥1,000 and provides access between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on operating days. The lift generally operates for mountain biking on weekends and national holidays from September through June.

Unlike many lift-accessed destinations in Japan, Hokedake’s closure falls during summer rather than winter. July and August bring high heat and humidity to Miyazaki, while the region’s mild winters allow riding to continue through the cooler months.

Operating dates and trail access may change, so riders should confirm the latest information with Hokedake Park or Loose Riders Miyazaki before travelling.

Maintaining the Trails by Hand

Since 2023, the seven local riders have taken an active role in maintaining Hokedake’s mountain bike trails. The work is undertaken voluntarily and with the knowledge of the park manager and staff.

Because the trails are located within a municipal park, the crew must operate within clear limitations. Heavy machinery cannot be used, trees cannot be removed and all maintenance must respect the requirements that come with working on public land.

As a result, the trails continue to be maintained largely by hand. The work includes clearing fallen branches and leaves, checking for erosion and repairing existing features using the tools and methods available to the group.

Ahead of the latest season opening, maintenance focused on Yamabite, one of Hokedake’s trails. Two weekends were spent clearing leaves and fallen branches, inspecting the course and constructing a new berm by hand. The original downhill starting area was also checked for erosion following the summer closure.

This regular maintenance is essential to keeping the trails open and rideable. It also helps preserve a location that has supported mountain biking in Miyazaki for more than 20 years.

Rather than pursuing rapid expansion, the group’s priority is to care for what already exists and ensure Hokedake continues to provide a place for local and visiting riders.

Making Miyazaki Easier to Discover

The development of Loose Riders Miyazaki is also helping address one of the challenges faced by smaller riding communities: visibility.

Alongside the chapter’s social media presence, the Gravity Miyazaki YouTube channel provides a visual record of riding at Hokedake and other destinations throughout Japan. Its videos include footage from the original downhill course, the wider Hokedake trail network and gatherings that offer an insight into Miyazaki’s local MTB culture.

The objective is straightforward. Riders searching online for mountain biking in Miyazaki should be able to discover Hokedake, see what the trails offer and find a local community willing to help them experience the area.

Together, these channels create a link between the physical trails and the riders looking for reliable information, local guidance and opportunities to participate.

Protecting a Place to Ride

The work at Hokedake demonstrates the role that small local groups can play in sustaining mountain biking. The area is not defined by large-scale development or a professional trail operation. Its continued presence depends instead on cooperation with the park, respect for the surrounding public land and the commitment of riders prepared to maintain the trails themselves.

Loose Riders Miyazaki is not seeking to transform Hokedake into a major commercial destination. The focus is on preserving an established place to ride, strengthening the local community and ensuring that visitors to Miyazaki have a way to discover and experience its trails.

By maintaining the courses, sharing information and welcoming visiting riders, the seven-person crew is connecting Hokedake’s downhill history with its future.

Their efforts reflect an important part of mountain biking’s continued development in Japan: local riders taking responsibility for the places they ride and building stronger communities around them.