Pass The Passport

Bucket List / Fitness Goals / Complete The World Marathon Majors

Tokyo Marathon

Still to do

From the towers of Shinjuku to the gates of Asakusa, a marathon through Tokyo with crowds handing out snacks all the way.

Tokyo Marathon
Photo: nakashi from Chofu, Tokyo, JAPAN, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The adventure

Tokyo's marathon is famous for its organisation and its crowds. The start outside the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku is calm and orderly, and once the race begins the streets are lined with spectators who cheer every runner, many holding out sweets, fruit and other treats along the way.

The course takes you past some of the city's best-known sights, including the temple district of Asakusa, with the Tokyo Skytree rising overhead, and the gardens and moats of the Imperial Palace, before finishing near Tokyo Station. The aid stations run like clockwork, the volunteers are endlessly polite, and the city's mix of old and new unfolds kilometre by kilometre. Add a week of sushi, ramen and temples afterwards, and it becomes one of the most rewarding trips in running.

Why it’s epic

  • First held in 2007, it joined the World Marathon Majors in 2013.
  • The course passes Asakusa's Kaminarimon gate, the shops of Ginza and the Imperial Palace.
  • The field of around 38,000 runners is chosen mostly by a heavily oversubscribed ballot.
  • Early March usually brings cool, dry weather that suits fast running.

What it is

Tokyo’s marathon starts outside the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku and finishes by Tokyo Station, passing sights such as Asakusa and the Imperial Palace. It became a major in 2013.

How to do it

Enter the overseas ballot, which opens around August the year before, or go through a charity or an official tour operator.

Top tip

It would also tick off Asia for my marathon on every continent.

Need to know

  • The overseas ballot opens around August the year before and has low odds; charity and tour operator places are alternatives.
  • You must collect your race number in person at the expo before the race, with photo ID.
  • UK passport holders don't need a visa for a short tourist stay in Japan.

Plan this trip

Rough cost
£2,000 to £5,000 per person, including flights from the UK
Time needed
A week including travel
Best time to go
Early March
Fly into
HND airport

Long-haul flights and a week in Tokyo are the main costs, though the city can be good value once you're there.

Make it happen

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Why it’s on my list

Not done yet. If you’ve done it and have tips, tell me about it.

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