Gokuraku Trail: Built
by Hand, One Line at a Time

On a once-neglected mountainside in Yamaguchi, Matsuura-san is creating a compact downhill playground designed to bring riders of all ages together.

For more than 25 years, mountain biking was no longer part of Matsuura-san’s life.

Now 47, he first began riding at the age of 13 and continued until he was 19. It was only when his son became involved in competitive cycling that he decided to return to the sport. Matsuura-san ordered a new mountain bike, but with delivery expected to take some time, he turned his attention to the neglected mountain beside his home.

Rather than simply waiting for the bike to arrive, he began building somewhere to ride it.

Reclaiming the Mountain

The mountainside had been left largely untouched for more than 50 years. Before any trail could take shape, Matsuura-san had to clear accumulated debris and fell trees to open the terrain.

For the first year, he worked entirely alone.

The project was fitted around his full-time job, with building beginning after each working day had finished. Progress came through persistence rather than machinery or a large construction crew.

“I worked on it almost every day, never losing sight of my determination to complete the course,” he explains.

That routine continues today, as Matsuura-san steadily develops and maintains what has become Gokuraku Trail.

The site occupies a relatively compact section of terrain, measuring approximately 180 metres in a straight line with 50 metres of elevation difference. Rather than viewing the limited space as a restriction, Matsuura-san has used it to create a closely connected network where riders can choose from more than 20 different line combinations.

A Compact Downhill Playground

Matsuura-san’s background and personal interest in downhill racing have strongly influenced the trail’s design.

Among its defining features is a sequence of 11 consecutive berms, joined by a growing collection of technical and airtime-focused sections. These include a two-metre-high wooden drop and a 1.8-metre tabletop jump, with off-camber turns, shark fins and further features continuing to take shape.

The result is a course that rewards repetition. Riders can link sections together in different ways, experiment with alternative lines and gradually build speed as they become more familiar with the terrain.

Its compact layout also creates its own challenge. With features positioned close together, there is little time to reset between sections. As speed increases, so does the difficulty, placing greater emphasis on line choice, control and timing.

Alongside the descending trails, Matsuura-san is developing a climbing route suitable for e-bikes. This will create another way to move through the park while making better use of its limited footprint.

Building Without Heavy Machinery

Matsuura-san has long admired the trails found in overseas mountain bike parks. Gokuraku Trail reflects some of that inspiration, but its character comes from the way it is being built.

Without access to heavy machinery, he has focused on creating the best possible riding experience through manual labour and careful use of the existing landscape. Each section is shaped by hand, working within the scale and natural contours of the mountain.

This approach has produced a trail that is distinctly local: compact, detailed and built around the terrain available rather than imposed upon it.

It also responds to a wider need in the area. According to Matsuura-san, fewer people now practise downhill mountain biking locally, partly because there are fewer mountains where riders can enjoy the sport with confidence and peace of mind.

Gokuraku Trail is intended to help fill that gap.

Creating a Place for Riders to Gather

After initially working alone, Matsuura-san has recently been joined by riders from farther afield who now assist with trail maintenance. Their involvement marks an important stage in the trail’s development, allowing the project to grow beyond the efforts of one builder.

The park has also reached the point where it can begin hosting events. For Matsuura-san, these gatherings are not only about downhill riding. His broader goal is to create a welcoming place where children can discover mountain biking and adults can ride alongside them.

Located within the grounds of a temple, Gokuraku Trail is open to the public free of charge. The site also has access to practical facilities, including parking, restrooms and electricity, giving it a strong foundation for clinics, events and community riding days.

Looking Ahead

Matsuura-san plans to invite professional riders to Gokuraku Trail next year to conduct riding clinics. Regular events are also part of the plan, helping introduce the park to more riders while providing opportunities for different ages and ability levels to come together.

What began as a way to fill the time before a new bike arrived has become something much bigger: a hand-built trail network, a place to practise downhill riding and a new point of connection for the local mountain bike scene.

Gokuraku Trail may occupy a small mountainside, but through careful design, persistent work and more than 20 possible line combinations, Matsuura-san is making every metre count.