Marathons in Japan 2026: Routes, Dates & Elevation Profiles

Japan is home to 48 marathons in our database, spread across cities including Fukui, Fukuoka, Hiratsuka, and Ibusuki, and more.

The country hosts an Abbott World Marathon Major — Tokyo Marathon — putting it among the most sought-after destinations on the global racing calendar. Tokyo Marathon is the largest race in the lineup, typically drawing around 38,000 finishers, while the full spread offers everything from fast urban courses to scenic regional events.

Below are the largest races in the country; browse by region for the full list.

Browse the races below for course maps, elevation profiles, typical weather, and practical race-day detail to help you choose your next start line.

World Marathon Major

TokyoTokyoJapan

Tokyo Marathon

The Tokyo Marathon is one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, drawing over 38,000 runners through the heart of Japan's capital. The course showcases iconic landmarks including the Tokyo Station, Imperial Palace, and Ginza district before finishing near Tokyo Station. Known for exceptional organisation and enthusiastic crowd support, it is a bucket-list race for international runners.

Next race: Sunday, 7 March 2027

OsakaOsakaJapan

Osaka Marathon

The Osaka Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 32k finishers on an urban road in Osaka, Japan. The course starts and finishes at Osaka Castle Park. The route passes Osaka Castle, Nakanoshima, Umeda, and Namba through central Osaka. Mostly flat with gentle undulations on bridge approaches over the city's rivers.

Next race: Sunday, 28 February 2027

YokohamaKanagawaJapan

Yokohama Marathon

The Yokohama Marathon is a spring city race that attracts approximately 22k finishers through Japan's second-largest port. The course links Minato Mirai's waterfront towers, the historic Red Brick Warehouse district, and Yamashita Park with views across Tokyo Bay. Yokohama's flat coastal terrain and March race date make it a popular early-season marathon for Japanese runners and international visitors exploring the Kanto region.

Next race: Sunday, 7 March 2027

NagoyaAichiJapan

Nagoya Women's Marathon

The Nagoya Women's Marathon is the world's largest women-only marathon, with nearly 20,000 female finishers each March. Every finisher receives a Tiffany & Co. pendant at the finish — a tradition that has made Nagoya a bucket-list race for women worldwide. The flat urban course runs through central Nagoya past Nagoya Castle and the Sakae district, and the race weekend atmosphere centres entirely on celebrating women's running.

Next race: Sunday, 14 March 2027

KobeHyogoJapan

Kobe Marathon

The Kobe Marathon draws around 18,000 runners each November on a course that celebrates the port city's recovery and waterfront identity. The route crosses the Akashi Kaikyō Bridge area and follows Kobe's harbourfront with views of the Rokko mountains and Osaka Bay. Kobe's mild autumn climate and enthusiastic local crowds make it one of western Japan's most popular marathons.

Next race: Sunday, 15 November 2026

KyotoKyotoJapan

Kyoto Marathon

The Kyoto Marathon brings roughly 17,000 runners through Japan's ancient capital each February. The course links UNESCO-listed temples, the Kamo River, and the Kyoto Imperial Palace with views of forested hills on the city's eastern edge. Kyoto's cultural landmarks and spring-adjacent race date make it one of Japan's most scenic urban marathons despite a largely flat profile.

Next race: Sunday, 21 February 2027

HiratsukaKanagawaJapan

Shonan International Marathon

The Shonan International Marathon attracts around 16,000 runners each December along the Sagami Bay coast between Hiratsuka and Kamakura. The course offers Pacific Ocean views, Enoshima Island vistas, and the relaxed beach-town atmosphere of the Shōnan region south of Tokyo. December's cool coastal weather and rolling seaside terrain make it a favourite winter marathon for Kanto-area runners.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

YokohamaKanagawaJapan

Nanohana Marathon

The Nanohana Marathon in Yokohama draws about 15,000 finishers each January on a course named for the rapeseed blossoms that line parts of the route in early spring. The race shares the Yokohama bayfront with views across Tokyo Bay and passes Kannai and the harbour district. It is one of several large January marathons in the greater Tokyo area.

Next race: Sunday, 24 January 2027

IbusukiKagoshimaJapan

Ibusuki Marathon

The Ibusuki Marathon in southern Kyushu attracts about 14,000 runners each January to a course along Kagoshima Bay with views of Sakurajima volcano. Ibusuki is famous for its natural hot-sand baths, and the marathon showcases the subtropical Satsuma Peninsula coastline. Warm winter temperatures and volcanic backdrop make it one of Japan's most distinctive regional marathons.

Next race: Sunday, 17 January 2027

TokyoTokyoJapan

Itabashi City Marathon

The Itabashi City Marathon hosts about 14,000 runners each March in a northern Tokyo ward known for its residential neighbourhoods and Arakawa River parklands. The course is a flat urban loop through Itabashi and neighbouring wards, offering a local-community marathon experience within the Tokyo metropolitan area without the congestion of central Tokyo races.

Next race: Sunday, 28 March 2027

KanazawaIshikawaJapan

Kanazawa Marathon

The Kanazawa Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 14k finishers each October on a historic urban road in Kanazawa, Japan. The race is especially known for blending modern boulevards with preserved samurai-era city scenery. The course passes Kenrokuen approaches, Kanazawa Castle Park, and traditional districts near the Asano and Sai rivers. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.

Next race: Sunday, 25 October 2026

NahaOkinawaJapan

Naha Marathon

The Naha Marathon brings roughly 14,000 runners to Okinawa's capital each December for a subtropical marathon experience unique in Japan. The course runs along the East China Sea coast and through Naha's urban centre with warm winter temperatures and ocean breezes. For runners seeking a December marathon in shorts and a vest, Naha is Japan's answer.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

OkayamaOkayamaJapan

Okayama Marathon

The Okayama Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 14k finishers each November on an urban road in Okayama, Japan. Its rapid growth turned it into western Honshu's marquee autumn citizen marathon. The route passes Okayama Castle, Korakuen Garden approaches, and broad streets along the Asahi River. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.

Next race: Sunday, 8 November 2026

ToyamaToyamaJapan

Toyama Marathon

The Toyama Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 13k finishers each November on a bay-to-city road in Toyama, Japan. Clear-weather views of the Northern Alps are the signature visual payoff of the race. The route passes Toyama Bay views, river crossings, and long roads with the Tateyama mountain range as a backdrop. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.

Next race: Sunday, 1 November 2026

FukuiFukuiJapan

Fukui Sakura Marathon

The Fukui Sakura Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 12k finishers each March on an urban road in Fukui, Japan. The event was launched to showcase Fukui during cherry-blossom time and immediately drew a large field. The course passes castle ruins, river sections, and streets that line up with the city's sakura season. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.

Next race: Sunday, 7 March 2027

SapporoHokkaidoJapan

Hokkaido Marathon

The Hokkaido Marathon is northern Japan's largest marathon, drawing approximately 12k finishers each August through Sapporo. The course passes Odori Park, the Sapporo TV Tower, and the Toyohira River on wide Hokkaido boulevards with views toward the Ishikari plain. August's mild Sapporo summer — far cooler than mainland Japan — makes it a popular escape race.

Next race: Sunday, 22 August 2027

TsuchiuraIbarakiJapan

Kasumigaura Marathon

The Kasumigaura Marathon near Tsuchiura attracts about 12,000 runners each April around Japan's second-largest lake, Kasumigaura. The flat rural course follows the lakeshore through Ibaraki Prefecture with views of the wide freshwater basin and countryside. April cherry-blossom season and the lake's open horizons make it a popular spring marathon in the Kanto plain.

Next race: Sunday, 18 April 2027

MiyazakiMiyazakiJapan

Aoshima Pacific Marathon

The Aoshima Pacific Marathon draws approximately 10k finishers each December on a coastal urban road in Miyazaki, Japan. Its warm southern-Japan setting makes it a popular contrast to colder mainland December races. The route passes palm-lined boulevards, Aoshima approaches, and broad roads under a subtropical coastal sky. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

KurobeToyamaJapan

Carter Memorial Kurobe Meisui Marathon

The Carter Memorial Kurobe Meisui Marathon draws approximately 10k finishers each May on a scenic coastal and rural road in Kurobe, Japan. Named for Jimmy Carter, it is famous in Japan for exceptionally pure mountain-water aid stations. The route passes snowmelt-fed river sections, Toyama Bay views, and roads backed by the Northern Alps. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.

Next race: Sunday, 2 May 2027

MatsuyamaEhimeJapan

Ehime Marathon

The Ehime Marathon draws approximately 10k finishers each February on an urban road in Matsuyama, Japan. Strong local support has made it one of Japan's most beloved regional marathons. The route passes Matsuyama Castle viewpoints, tram-lined streets, and residential roads in Shikoku's largest city. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.

Next race: Sunday, 7 February 2027

FukuokaFukuokaJapan

Fukuoka Marathon

The Fukuoka Marathon draws approximately 10k finishers each November on an urban to coastal road in Fukuoka, Japan. It is Fukuoka's large citizen marathon and should not be confused with the separate elite international race. The course passes Tenjin, seaside roads, and long views across Hakata Bay before the coastal finish. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.

Next race: Sunday, 8 November 2026

KagoshimaKagoshimaJapan

Kagoshima Marathon

The Kagoshima Marathon draws approximately 10k finishers each March on a scenic bay road in Kagoshima, Japan. Running with the active volcano Sakurajima in sight makes the course instantly recognizable. The course passes Sakurajima views, Kinko Bay roads, and palm-lined city boulevards in the southern port city. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.

Next race: Sunday, 7 March 2027

MitoIbarakiJapan

Mito Komon Marathon

The Mito Komon Marathon draws approximately 10k finishers each October on an urban road in Mito, Japan. The race honors the famous Mito Komon figure and leans strongly into local history. The route passes Kodokan approaches, city parks, and broad Ibaraki roads connected to the Tokugawa-era Mito heritage. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.

Next race: Sunday, 25 October 2026

NaganoNaganoJapan

Nagano Marathon

The Nagano Marathon draws approximately 10k finishers each April on an urban and plain road in Nagano, Japan. Its Olympic-city backdrop still shapes the event's image years after the 1998 Games. The route passes Zenkoji-area approaches, broad valley roads, and snow-capped mountain views around the basin. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.

Next race: Sunday, 4 April 2027