R U N N I NRunning races in Japan: marathons and more
50 upcoming running races across Japan, sorted by date and updated weekly - home of the Tokyo Marathon and the deepest marathon culture in the world.
The marathon nation
Japan reveres the marathon like nowhere else: the Tokyo Marathon is a World Marathon Major with one of the world's toughest entry lotteries, the Hakone Ekiden relay stops the nation every New Year, and city marathons in Osaka, Kyoto and Nagoya draw six-figure applicant pools. Nagoya's women's marathon is the largest in the world.
Racing season and entry
The Japanese season runs October to March - summer is too hot and humid for road racing. Most big races use lotteries that close months in advance, so plan half a year out. Organisation, aid stations and crowd support are famously immaculate.
The calendar
| Race | City | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Tazawa Marathon | Tazawako | 20. september 2026 |
| Kanazawa Marathon | Kanazawa City | 25. september 2026 |
| Kanazawa Marathon | Kanazawa | 25. oktober 2026 |
| Yokohama Marathon | Yokohama | 25. oktober 2026 |
| Fukuoka International Marathon | Fukuoka | 6. november 2026 |
| Ehime Marathon | Matsuyama | 7. november 2026 |
| Kagawa Marugame International Half Marathon | Kagawa Marugame Stadium | 7. november 2026 |
| Fukuoka Marathon | Fukuoka | 8. november 2026 |
| Setagaya 246 Half Marathon | Setagaya | 8. november 2026 |
| Bando City Masakado Half Marathon | Bando | 8. november 2026 |
| Mt. Fuji International Marathon | Mt Fuji | 13. november 2026 |
| Nara Marathon | Nara | 13. november 2026 |
| KIX Senshu International Marathon | Kansai International Airport KIX | 14. november 2026 |
| Tokushima Marathon | Tokushima City | 14. november 2026 |
| Kobe Marathon | Kobe | 15. november 2026 |
| Narita Pop Run | Narita | 15. november 2026 |
| Nagano Marathon | Nagano | 18. november 2026 |
| Kitakyushu Marathon | Kitakyushu | 21. november 2026 |
| Tsukuba Marathon | Tsukuba | 22. november 2026 |
| Gifu Half Marathon | Gifu | 25. november 2026 |
| Osaka Half Marathon | Osaka | 31. november 2026 |
| Osaka Women’s Marathon | Osaka Women s | 31. november 2026 |
| Naha Marathon | Naha | 6. december 2026 |
| Nara Marathon | Nara | 13. december 2026 |
| Mt. Fuji International Marathon | Fujikawaguchiko | 13. december 2026 |
| Jungle Guruguru ZERO | Ogose | 16. januar 2027 |
| Katsuta Marathon | Hitachinaka | 31. januar 2027 |
| Kagawa Marugame International Half Marathon | Marugame | 7. februar 2027 |
| Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon | Beppu, Oita | 7. februar 2027 |
| Osaka Marathon | Osaka | februar 2027 |
| Kyoto Marathon | Kyoto | februar 2027 |
| Onagawa 100 trails - 100miles | Onagawa | 5. marts 2027 |
| Onagawa 100 trails - 105km | Onagawa | 5. marts 2027 |
| Onagawa 100 trails - 80km | Onagawa | 5. marts 2027 |
| Little Edo Oedo 260k | Kawagoe | 13. marts 2027 |
| Little Edo Oedo 230k | Kawagoe | 13. marts 2027 |
| Little Edo Oedo 200k | Kawagoe | 13. marts 2027 |
| Oedo Night run 115k | Kawagoe | 13. marts 2027 |
| Tokushima Marathon | Tokushima | 14. marts 2027 |
| Tokyo Marathon | Tokyo | marts 2027 |
| Nagoya Women's Marathon | Nagoya | marts 2027 |
| Nagano Marathon | Nagano | 18. april 2027 |
| Fuji 5 Lakes Sparta Challenge | Fujiyoshida | 18. april 2027 |
| Fuji 4 Lakes 100 km Challenge | Fujiyoshida | 18. april 2027 |
| Fuji 4 Lakes 80 km Challenge | Fujiyoshida | 18. april 2027 |
| Fuji 3 Lakes 62 km Challenge | Fujiyoshida | 18. april 2027 |
| Gifu Half Marathon | Gifu | 25. april 2027 |
| Ultra-Trail Mt. Fuji | Fujikawaguchiko | april 2027 |
| Mukogawa Yurikamome Ultra Marathon | Nishinomiya | 3. maj 2027 |
| ICT 100km | Fudaimura | 8. maj 2027 |
Frequently asked questions
How many running races are there in Japan?
Runnin currently lists 50 upcoming races across Japan. The calendar refreshes weekly.
How do I enter the Tokyo Marathon?
Through the general entry lottery, semi-elite times or charity places - the link on this list goes to the official organiser.