The Tokyo Marathon is one of the six World Marathon Majors and is one of the most internationally-recognized Marathons in the world. Each year, the event gathers elite and amateur runners around the world, bringing global attention to Tokyo as the host city of a big international event.
The event includes the full 42.195-kilometer marathon as well as a 10.7-kilometer race. While the full marathon features professional and high-level runners, the 10.7-kilometer race allows more participants, including amateur runners and residents, to compete. By organizing two races at the same time, the Tokyo Marathon provides both a competitive professional competition and a community-oriented event.
The Marathon Race showcases many of Tokyo’s famous sights and landmarks. The race starts near the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku and passes through areas such as Suidobashi, Ueno-Hirokoji, Kanda, and Nihonbashi. Runners also go by cultural and historic locations, including Asakusa’s Kaminarimon Gate and Ryogoku, before continuing through Ginza, Hibiya, and finishing near Tokyo Station along Gyoko-dori Avenue. The route displays the diverse views of Tokyo, including government centres, historical temples, and modern buildings.
Due to its popularity, the Marathon uses a lottery system for registration. The entry of the race opened in August 2025, and the runners are selected several months before the race. Unfortunately, the applications for the race already closed, meaning it is no longer possible to register for this year’s marathon.
Beyond the race itself, the Tokyo Marathon has a significant impact on the city. It increases tourism, requires extensive coordination of transportation and public services, and relies on thousands of volunteers. Overall, the Tokyo Marathon demonstrates Tokyo’s capacity to host large-scale global events successfully.
