The Race
| Distance | 42.195 km |
| Course Type | Point-to-point, mostly flat |
| Start | Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Shinjuku |
| Finish | Tokyo Big Sight, Odaiba |
| Registration | General ballot (approx. 10-15% acceptance rate) |
| World Major | Abbott World Marathon Major |
| IAAF Label | Platinum |
| Total Finishers | ~38,000 |
| Avg Race Day Temp | 5-12°C |
| Cutoff Time | 7 hours |
| Free Race Day Transport | Included in race registration |
The Tokyo Marathon is the only Abbott World Marathon Major in Asia and the largest marathon in Japan. The course runs point-to-point from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku southeast through Ginza, past the Imperial Palace, and through Asakusa before returning along the course to finish at Tokyo Big Sight in Odaiba. The route passes through the essential districts of Tokyo in a single morning.
The course is officially flat: approximately 100 metres of total elevation gain over 42 km, with the gentlest undulation of any World Major. The March conditions - 5-12°C, low humidity - are ideal for fast running. Multiple course records and world records have been set in Tokyo. It is among the most technically favorable of the six World Majors.
Entry and Ballot
The Tokyo Marathon is a ballot-entry race. The ballot opens in September or October for the following March race through the official website (marathon.tokyo/en). Apply during the open window; results are announced in November. The general entry acceptance rate is approximately 10-15% - one of the lowest of the six World Majors.
Alternative entry routes:
- Charity bib: Purchase a guaranteed entry through an official charity partner. Requires raising a minimum donation amount (approximately £2,000-3,000 for UK charity bibs).
- Tour operator package: Several official tour operators have guaranteed entry allocations, typically bundled with a travel package (flights and hotel).
- Six Star Finisher priority: Runners who have completed all six World Majors receive priority ballot access.
Race Weekend
Friday: Arrive in Tokyo. From Haneda: Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho then JR Yamanote Line to Shinjuku (45 minutes). Jet lag is the primary consideration - if flying from Europe or the US, arrive Thursday to give yourself a full rest day.
Saturday: Expo and number collection at Tokyo Big Sight in Odaiba. Allow 2-3 hours including the Yurikamome railway journey. The expo is very large; go early in the day. Rest in the afternoon - use the hotel onsen or foot bath if available.
Sunday (Race Day): The start at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is walkable or a short subway ride from most Shinjuku hotels. Pack everything in the official bag for the bag drop. The finish at Tokyo Big Sight requires the Yurikamome railway from Shimbashi to return to the city centre after the race.
Where to Stay
Shinjuku is the most practical base for the marathon: the start is a short walk and the area is extremely well-connected. The city centre (Marunouchi, Yurakucho, Ginza) puts you on the course route and in easy reach of Tokyo Station for travel to Kamakura or Yokohama after the race.
The Lost in Translation hotel. Floors 39-52 of a Shinjuku skyscraper. The New York Bar and the pool have the best views in Tokyo.
Close to the start at the Metropolitan Government Building. Practical for marathon morning logistics.
Inside the 1914 Tokyo Station building. The Marunouchi location puts you on the course route for the first half.
Apartment-style hotel with in-room washing machines. Practical for a marathon trip with kit to wash.
Famous for the Godzilla head on the terrace. Good value in a central Shinjuku location.
See & Do
The course itself covers the essential districts: Shinjuku, Ginza, the Imperial Palace moat, and Asakusa. The Senso-ji temple in Asakusa (the oldest temple in Tokyo, approach via the Nakamise shopping street) appears around the 28 km mark on the course - a useful landmark to look for in the back half.
Pre-race walks: Shinjuku Gyoen (the national garden, 15 minutes walk from most Shinjuku hotels, flat) in early March with the earliest cherry blossom. The Imperial Palace East Gardens (free, open Tuesday-Sunday) are flat and directly on the course route. Both are good for legs-up walking in the days before the race.
Read Before you Run
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
Haruki Murakami
Murakami's memoir of running and writing, built around his training for the 2005 New York Marathon. Much of it is set in Tokyo, where he runs the streets before dawn. Quietly obsessive, occasionally funny, and recognisable to anyone who has ever committed too seriously to a race.
Buy on Amazon →Butter
Asako Yuzuki
A darkly comic Tokyo novel about a food critic investigating a convicted murderer who seduced men through cooking. Yuzuki uses the city's restaurants, apartments, and social rituals to build a portrait of appetite — for food, status, and freedom — that stays with you long after the race.
Buy on Amazon →After the Race
Tokyo's rail network is one of the most efficient in the world. Yokohama, Kawagoe, Kamakura, and Enoshima are all within 45-90 minutes by train, and all can be reached without a car.
Japan's second city is 25 minutes from Shinjuku and a completely different city from Tokyo. The Minato Mirai waterfront, Yamashita Park, the Cup Noodles Museum, and Chinatown for the post-marathon ramen. Exit via Haneda.
The warehouse district of Kawagoe (Kurazukuri) is the best-preserved Edo-period merchant street within reach of Tokyo. The candy lane (Kashiya Yokocho), the bell tower, and the sweet potato desserts that are the town's speciality.
The Great Buddha at Kotoku-in, the Dankazura avenue of cherry trees approaching the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine, the Enoden tram along the sea coast to Enoshima island, and the cave shrines. Exit via Haneda, 60 minutes from Kamakura by train.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stay near the start or the finish for the Tokyo Marathon?
Stay in Shinjuku (the start area) or the city centre (Marunouchi, Ginza). The finish at Tokyo Big Sight in Odaiba is accessible by Yurikamome railway but not a good hotel base.
How do I enter the Tokyo Marathon ballot?
The ballot opens September/October for the following March. Apply at marathon.tokyo/en. Acceptance rate approximately 10-15%. Charity entry and tour operator packages are alternative routes.
What is the best neighbourhood to stay in for the Tokyo Marathon?
Shinjuku - the start area - is the most practical. Marunouchi near Tokyo Station is also good (on the course route). Avoid Odaiba for marathon weekend.
How far in advance should I book a hotel for the Tokyo Marathon?
Book immediately when your ballot acceptance is confirmed (November). Tokyo marathon weekend fills central hotels quickly.
When does the Tokyo Marathon expo open?
The expo is at Tokyo Big Sight in Odaiba, typically Friday and Saturday before race Sunday. Number collection is mandatory. Allow 2-3 hours including travel.
What is the weather like at the Tokyo Marathon?
Early March: 5-12°C at race time. Clear skies typical. Generally excellent conditions for fast running.
How do I get from the airport to Tokyo?
Haneda: Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho then JR (40-45 min). Narita: N'EX to Shinjuku (90 min). Haneda is strongly preferred for marathon weekend.
Is there a bag drop at the Tokyo Marathon?
Yes, at the Shinjuku start. Bags transported to the Tokyo Big Sight finish. Use the official bag from your race pack only.
How do I get back after the Tokyo Marathon?
Yurikamome from Odaiba to Shimbashi: 30 minutes. Expect very large post-race crowds; allow an extra hour for the journey back to Shinjuku.
Is the Tokyo Marathon a good course for a personal best?
Yes. IAAF Platinum, approximately 100m elevation gain, excellent conditions, large pacesetter programme. Among the fastest of the six World Majors.