Missed the Tokyo Marathon
General Entry Ballot?
12 Great Alternate Races Around Japan
Didn't get selected for the Tokyo Marathon lottery drawing?
Planning for the 2020 Tokyo Marathon and want a few back-up races just in case?
Looking for a winter marathon racecation?
Don’t sweat it! Japan is host to thousands of road races all year-round. There’s plenty of locations and distances to consider but you’ll want to plan ahead and act fast – registration for races in Japan open and close early.
From the southern tip of Japan (Okinawa) to Tokyo and in between, we’ve put together a list of a dozen great races to consider around Japan. Keep in mind that some races are more English-friendly than others. Additionally, despite the “marathon” title, some road races only feature a half marathon as the longest distance.
Finally, if none of them strike your fancy, there’s plenty more races before, during, and after the Tokyo Marathon! Check out our sources below to find more races.
Ome, Tokyo
30KM, 10KM
Capacity: 15,000 (30KM), 4,000 (10KM)
Registration Dates: Sep 21, 2018 12:00 – Oct 21, 2018
English registration available; first-come, first-served
Learn more
Awase, Okinawa
FM, 10KM
Capacity: 13,500 (FM), 3,000 (10KM)
Registration Dates: Sep 1 – Dec 7, 2018
English registration available; first-come, first-served.
Very English-friendly.
Learn more
Kochi City, Kochi
FM
Capacity: 10,000
Registration Dates: Sep 14 – Oct 31, 2018
English registration available; first-come, first-served.
Learn more
Kita Kyushu, Fukuoka
FM, FM 2-Person Relay, 5KM, 3KM
Capacity: 11,000 (FM), 150 pairs (relay), 1,000 (5, 3KM)
Overseas Entry (limited to first 100): Aug 3, 2018 (closes upon reaching capacity) Foreign General Entry: first-come, first-served starting Aug 3, 2018. However, if registration reaches capacity, all registrations roll into a lottery drawing.
English registration available.
Learn more
Shizuoka City, Shizuoka
FM, 11.6KM Fun Run
Capacity: 12,000 (FM), 1,200 (Fun Run)
Registration Dates: Oct 6 – Nov 3, 2018
English registration available; first-come, first-served.
Learn more
Futtsu, Chiba
HM, 10KM, 3KM, 2KM
Capacity: 3,500 (HM), 1,200 (10KM), 3KM (500), 2KM (1,200)
Registration Dates: Oct 23, 2018 – Jan 3, 2019
Japanese registration only; first-come, first-served
Learn more
Miura Kaigan, Kanagawa
HM, 5KM
Capacity: 8,500 (HM), 3,500 (5KM)
Registration Dates: Sep 1 – Dec 20, 2018
English registration available; first-come, first-served.
Learn more
Kagoshima City, Kagoshima
FM, 8.9KM Fun Run
Capacity: 10,000 (FM), 2,500 (Fun Run)
Registration Dates: Aug 27 – Oct 1, 2018
Overseas Applicants: 250 slots first-come, first served
English registration available
Learn more
Sasayama, Hyogo
FM
Capacity: 10,000 (FM)
Registration Dates: Nov 1 – Nov 26, 2018
Japanese registration only; first-come, first served
Learn more
Tottori City, Tottori
FM
Capacity: 4,300 (FM)
Registration Dates: Nov 17, 2018 – Jan 18, 2018
Overseas Applicants: 100 slots first-come, first served
English registration available
Learn more
Nagoya, Aichi
HM, 10.5KM Quarter Marathon
Capacity: 8,700 (HM), 4,400 (QM)
Overseas Resident Slots: 400 (HM), 100 (QM)
Registration Dates: Oct 11, 2018 – Oct 17, 2018
English registration available; first-come, first served
Learn more
Koga City, Ibaraki
FM, 10KM, 3KM, 2KM
Capacity: 10,500 (all distances combined)
Registration Dates: Oct 19, 2018 – Jan 12, 2019
Overseas Applicants: 100 slots first-come, first served
Japanese registration only
Learn more
Sources
MSPO Running (Japanese)
JTB Sports Station (English)
Lawson Sports (Japanese)
Runnet Global (English)