Running The Tokyo Marathon: What Is It Like?

Of all the Abbott World Marathon Majors, the Tokyo Marathon arguably commands the most intrigue. With it being the newest race to be added to the Marathon series, its demand far outweighs its availability. In addition to this, its Eastern Pacific location makes it one of the most enticing and intriguing events in the world.

That is why we have put together the ultimate guide to running the Tokyo Marathon. Throughout this post, we will put your mind at ease and give you all the information worth knowing for the Tokyo Marathon. We will look at the history of the event, the course, and the crowd, as well as give you a play-by-play of what to expect on race day.

What Is So Special About The Tokyo Marathon?

Most runners who have been lucky enough to run a Tokyo Marathon will say that it is one of the most special marathons that they have ever run. This is because it is so different from any marathon you will find in Europe or America. 

You may be wondering how a marathon can be so different from another marathon. But there truly is no marathon like the Tokyo marathon. So, what makes it so different? 

The History Of The Tokyo Marathon

The first official Tokyo Marathon was held on the 18th of February 2007 with Japan's own Niiya Hitomi winning the inaugural women's race and Kenyan Daniel Njenga taking the victory in the men’s. While this date began the official Tokyo Marathon, the history of marathons in the Japanese capital started much earlier. 

Before the inaugural Tokyo Marathon, the city was home to two marathons that took place in alternate years. The first marathon was the Tokyo International Marathon which took place in even years, followed by the Tokyo-New York Friendship Marathon which took place in odd years. 

However, the Official Tokyo Marathon truly helped the city to cement itself as a major marathon hotspot. After its creation in 2007, the event quickly went from strength to strength and was added to the Abbott World Marathon Major series in 2012. Since then, over 400,000 runners from all across the globe have completed the incredible course.

The Incredible Tokyo Marathon Course

Copyright: Tokyo Marathon Foundation

Another indescribably special part about the Tokyo Marathon is, of course, the course. Where else in the world will you be able to complete a marathon where at one point you are passing huge futuristic skyscrapers and at other points of the course you are passing stunning temples and beautiful parks? 

From a runner's perspective, the course is mostly flat with only a few inclines around the beautiful bridges that you will cross over. It is also for a large majority of the course, very wide meaning that you never feel cramped or restricted. This allows it to be a relatively fast course and therefore a great event for PBs.

Throughout the course, you will have the opportunity to see some of Tokyo's most famous and breathtaking sights. You will be taken through the incredible Shinjuku district where you will pass the iconic Tokyo Dome stadium before heading to Ueno-hirokoji to see one of the most famous parks in the city. 

Next, you will be taken on a journey back in time as you head to the Kanda. Kanda is a breathtaking neighbourhood which is packed full of enchanting traditional Japanese architecture. Then, before you know it, you will hit the halfway point of Ryogoku, which is the town best known for its Sumo wrestling. 

The second half of the Tokyo Marathon features far more modern architecture and greenery as you pass through areas such as Monzen-nakacho, Ginza, and Hibiya before crossing the finish line by the iconic Tokyo Station. 

The Unique Crowd Experience

When you typically think of American & European marathon crowds, you think of streets lined with hundreds of thousands of screaming and motivating spectators. However, the Tokyo Marathon is slightly different. 

Japan as a country is a very quiet and very respectful place. People do not typically scream and they do not typically cheer, as it is just not in their culture. So you should not expect this on race day. While the crowd is not as loud as you would expect, there are still thousands of spectators waving, jumping, clapping, and supporting you in your goal of completing the course.  

What Must You Take Into Account When Running The Tokyo Marathon?

When running the Tokyo Marathon, there are far more logistical conundrums that need to be taken into account than if you are running a marathon in America or Europe. This is because the country is incredibly different. 

That includes time zones, food, culture and the overall race day experience. Here we have listed the main factors to take into consideration when planning to run the Tokyo Marathon.  

Time Zone Differences

One of the main factors that must be taken into account when running the Tokyo Marathon is the time difference. The time difference from Tokyo to America and to Europe is significant and can therefore have a huge impact on your energy levels and how you feel on race day. 

The time difference from Tokyo to the UK is vast with the Japanese capital being a full 8 hours ahead. However, Tokyo can be from 14 - 19 hours ahead of some American states such as Hawaii. These time differences can have a significant impact on runners. 

Because of the significant jet lag that runners can be exposed to, we recommend that you arrive around three to four days in advance of the race. This will help your body to be better adjusted and give you the best chance to feel 100% on race day. 

Food Differences

Tokyo is one of the most amazing cities in the world when it comes to food. With so many incredible dishes such as sushi, tempura, ramen, and miso soup on every corner, indulging in the local foods is a must when visiting Tokyo. However, we would recommend that you keep it as basic as possible until race day. 

This is mainly because we have heard too many cautionary tales of people spending the days leading up to the race trying all of the local foods, only to fall sick before the race. So if you do not want to risk your marathon experience, stick to foods you know and try to eat simple and nutritious meals as far as you can.

What To Expect On Race Day?

Copyright: Tokyo Marathon Foundation

By race day you will have hopefully acclimatised, so the last thing to do is get to the start line and run. Here’s how to navigate race day. 

Getting To The Start Line

On the morning of race day, there are two things that you need to nail. These are your morning nutrition and also getting to the start line. The location of the Tokyo Marathon startline is the Metropolitan Government Building, 2-chōme-8-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 163-8001, Japan. 

The best ways of arriving at the start line are by walking and also by public transport. The event organisers have tried their best to make the arrival at the start line as easy and as accessible as possible with the start line located near numerous train and subway stations. The closest stations to the start line are Shinjuku Station and Nishi-Shinjuku Station. 

All runners will receive a travel pass in their race packs that gives them free access to public transport on race day. If you are at all worried about getting to the start line then speak with members of the event staff at the event expo and they will be happy to assist you with the best race day route. 

Dropping Bags Off

At the entrance of the start line, there will be several different options for you to drop your bag off. It is important to note that the different options usually cost around 10 USD (£8) so make sure that you have cash on you to pay for this. The handbook that you are given at the runner expo will specify where you should pick up your bags from after the race. 

During The Marathon

Once you have successfully arrived at the start line, all that is left to do is run. When running the race there are many different portions of the course to be aware of. These are where the aid stations, toilet stations, and first aid stations are located. 

Aid Stations

Copyright: Tokyo Marathon Foundation

There are 15 different aid stations located along the course. Each of these different stations offers runners different food and drink options to keep hydration and energy levels up. With an aid station every 2-3k, you do not have to worry about missing a station. 

Medical Stations

During the race, there are 17 different medical stations located at different points along the course. So if for any reason you need medical attention, there are hundreds of trained medical staff and first aiders on hand to help you out. 

In addition to this, there are also 6 more medical stations around the city that are meant for runners who may need medical attention after the race. So no matter what happens, there are hundreds of medical personnel around the city to support you. 

Toilet Stations

There will be countless signed toilet stations throughout the run. So if you are ever in desperate need of a toilet there are numerous toilet stations throughout the course. While queues may be busy at some points of the course, the event asks that you please use the designated toilet facilities on the course. 

After The Marathon

Once you cross the finish line you will be greeted by a friendly member of staff who will hand you a finisher's towel, a foil blanket, and of course, your well-earned medal. Once you have received your medal you will be escorted along with all of the other runners to the area where you can pick up all of the gear you dropped off. 

Do You Want To Run The Tokyo Marathon? Guaranteed Entry With realbuzz

The Tokyo Marathon is a bucket-list and elusive event for most runners. However, here at realbuzz, we offer guaranteed entry into the 2026 Tokyo Marathon for charity runners. All you have to do is raise money for an incredible cause close to your heart. 

Have we grabbed your attention? Yes, we can guarantee you an entry into the 2026 Tokyo Marathon through one of our charity places. All you have to do is pick a charity, meet the fundraising target, and make your 26.2 miles mean more. Find out more.