Japan Marathon Events Complete Guide — Top 15
⚡ 30-second answer: Top 15 races including Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya. Entry ¥5,000-25,000 / full marathon ¥15,000-22,000. International runner slots are available, with lottery odds of 5-10x. A 3-night, 4-day plan with lodging and sightseeing typically runs ¥100,000-200,000.
Quick Reference Value Full entry (domestic) ¥15,000-18,000 Full entry (international) ¥20,000-25,000 Half entry ¥6,000-10,000 Charity slot donation ¥100,000-300,000 Last verified June 2026
30-Second Answer
Japanese marathons rank world-class for access, operations, and aid stations. The Tokyo Marathon is a World Marathon Major with lottery odds exceeding 10x. Osaka, Nagoya Women's, Hokkaido, Beppu-Oita, Naha, and Fukuoka International — 15 major races concentrate in the fall through spring window. Full marathon entry runs ¥15,000-22,000; international slots add ¥5,000-7,000. After lottery success, budget ¥100,000-200,000 for a 3-night, 4-day plan including lodging and sightseeing.
🏃 Top 15 Marathon Races
| # | Race | Area | Month | Full entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tokyo Marathon | Tokyo | March | ¥16,500-22,000 |
| 2 | Osaka Marathon | Osaka | February | ¥15,300-21,000 |
| 3 | Nagoya Women's Marathon | Aichi Nagoya | March (women only) | ¥16,000-21,000 |
| 4 | Hokkaido Marathon | Hokkaido Sapporo | August | ¥14,500-19,000 |
| 5 | Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon | Oita Beppu | February | ¥10,000-15,000 |
| 6 | Naha Marathon | Okinawa Naha | December | ¥7,000-12,000 |
| 7 | Fukuoka International Marathon | Fukuoka | December | elite invitation only |
| 8 | Yokohama Marathon | Kanagawa Yokohama | October | ¥15,500-21,000 |
| 9 | Kyoto Marathon | Kyoto | February | ¥15,000-20,000 |
| 10 | Kobe Marathon | Hyogo Kobe | November | ¥15,000-20,000 |
| 11 | Nagano Marathon | Nagano | April | ¥12,000-17,000 |
| 12 | Mt Fuji Marathon | Yamanashi Kawaguchiko | November | ¥13,000-18,000 |
| 13 | Kanazawa Marathon | Ishikawa Kanazawa | October | ¥13,000-18,000 |
| 14 | Shonan International Marathon | Kanagawa | December | ¥15,000-20,000 |
| 15 | Okinawa Marathon | Okinawa | February | ¥7,000-12,000 |
💰 Pricing Breakdown
Marathon racing typically prices out as:
- Full entry (domestic slot): ¥10,000-18,000
- Full entry (international slot): ¥17,000-25,000
- Half entry: ¥6,000-10,000
- 10km / 5km: ¥4,000-7,000
- Charity runner slot: donation ¥100,000-300,000
- Expo admission: free to ¥1,500
- Official merch (race tee): ¥4,000-7,000
- Finisher medal: included in entry
- Official photos: ¥3,000-8,000/package
- Tracking app: free to ¥500
A 3-night, 4-day total with lodging clusters around ¥100,000-200,000.
🌐 Visitor Support
Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Kyoto, and Yokohama all offer dedicated international runner slots. Apply directly through official English sites (Tokyo Marathon Foundation, etc.). Marathon-Photos.com and other overseas brokers also exist. Expos and start/finish areas have English-speaking staff and multilingual announcements. Klook sells "marathon + hotel" packages. Book pre- and post-race lodging 6 months out.