Best marathons in Japan
10 rated races, ranked by an overall score built from racer reviews and race reports. How we score
10 races
Overall score 3.8Very good#59 of 297Thin evidence · 4 sources + 3 runner ratings
Climbing 15 m (49 ft)
1. Nagoya Women's Marathon
Overall score 3.8Very goodThin evidence · 4 sources + 3 runner ratings#59 of 297 overallNagoya, Japan · Next race 14 Mar 2027
Racers loveStart and finish inside Vantelin Dome Nagoya, so the last metres are sheltered and loud.
Watch outDomestic entry is a lottery; overseas places run late August to December.
“a really amazing course” RaceRaves reviewers, RaceRaves Nagoya Women's Marathon (3 reviews…
- Air
- 5–15 °C (41–59 °F)
- Climbing
- 15 m (49 ft)
- Field
- about 20,000
- Best
- Support 4.5
- Weakest
- Entry 3.2
Overall score 3.7Very good#86 of 297Moderate evidence · 7 sources + 1 runner rating
2. Osaka Marathon
Overall score 3.7Very goodModerate evidence · 7 sources + 1 runner ratingTop 30%#86 of 297 overallOsaka, Japan · Last race 22 Feb 2026
Racers loveUltra-flat city course with a modest rise only near km 33 (mile 20.5)
Watch outEntry is by lottery; one guide puts demand at 10 to 1 or worse
“flawless organization, atmosphere, and fluid aid stations” marathons.com: Osaka Marathon 2026 report
- Air
- 3–10 °C (37–50 °F)
- Field
- about 30,000
- Best
- Support 4.3
- Weakest
- Entry 2.1
Overall score 3.7Very good#88 of 297Moderate evidence · 8 sources
3. Kobe Marathon
Overall score 3.7Very goodModerate evidence · 8 sourcesTop 30%#88 of 297 overallKobe, Japan · Next race 15 Nov 2026
Racers loveAbout 610,000 spectators in 2023, with bands, taiko drummers and dancers along the route.
Watch outForeign places are 2,000, first-come, 24,200 yen (about US$160); locals face a lottery about 4 times…
“The overall effort from the spectators is phenomenal” Richard Mort, Kobe PR ambassador report
- Air
- 10–18 °C (50–64 °F)
- Field
- about 20,000
- Best
- Support 4.4
- Weakest
- Entry 2.4
Overall score 3.6Very good#106 of 297Moderate evidence · 7 sources + 3 runner ratings
Climbing 133 m (435 ft)
4. Nagano Marathon
Overall score 3.6Very goodModerate evidence · 7 sources + 3 runner ratingsTop 36%#106 of 297 overallNagano, Japan · Next race 18 Apr 2027
Racers lovePasses Zenkoji temple, peach orchards and Alps views; cherry blossoms are often out.
Watch outStrict 5 h limit with checkpoints; 79% finished in 2026.
“One of the nicest courses we've experienced to date.” Paul Ryken, Minimalist Journeys guide
- Air
- 11–24 °C (52–75 °F)
- Climbing
- 133 m (435 ft)
- Field
- about 7,400
- Best
- Course 4.2
- Weakest
- Conditions 2.9
Overall score 3.5Very good#131 of 297Moderate evidence · 7 sources + 2 runner ratings
5. Tokyo Marathon
Overall score 3.5Very goodModerate evidence · 7 sources + 2 runner ratingsTop 45%#131 of 297 overallTokyo, Japan · Next race 7 Mar 2027
Racers loveFlat: under 90 m (300 ft) of gain, and the men's record is 2:02:16
Watch outLottery odds for internationals are under 10%; charity bibs run about $1,000 to $5,000
“The MOST expensive medal I have ever worn for the least memorable race.” Brian Carroll; Joe M., MarathonGuide Tokyo reviews
- Air
- 6–14 °C (43–57 °F)
- Field
- about 38,000
- Best
- Conditions 4.3
- Weakest
- Entry 1.1
Overall score 3.3Good#170 of 297Moderate evidence · 5 sources
Climbing 50 m (165 ft)
6. Okayama Marathon
Overall score 3.3GoodModerate evidence · 5 sourcesBottom 44%#170 of 297 overallOkayama, Japan · Next race 8 Nov 2026
Racers loveFlat loop past Okayama Castle, the Asahi River and Korakuen.
Watch outKonan Bridge, about 17 m (56 ft), after 30 km (18.6 mi) is the hard spot.
- Air
- 9–18 °C (48–64 °F)
- Climbing
- 50 m (165 ft)
- Field
- about 13,200
- Best
- Conditions 4.0
- Weakest
- Entry 2.7
Overall score 3.3Good#173 of 297Moderate evidence · 5 sources + 1 runner rating
Climbing 280 m (920 ft)
7. Kanazawa Marathon
Overall score 3.3GoodModerate evidence · 5 sources + 1 runner ratingBottom 42%#173 of 297 overallKanazawa, Japan · Next race 25 Oct 2026
Racers lovePasses Kanazawa Castle Park, Kenrokuen and the Tsuzumi Gate at the station.
Watch outSeparate start and finish linked by a shuttle that gets crowded.
“Recommended allowing time to see Kanazawa.” corey10920 (RaceRaves), RaceRaves
- Air
- 10–20 °C (50–68 °F)
- Climbing
- 280 m (920 ft)
- Field
- about 13,000
- Best
- Course 4.1
- Weakest
- Entry 3.0
Overall score 3.3Good#183 of 297Thin evidence · 3 sources
8. Fukuoka Marathon
Overall score 3.3GoodThin evidence · 3 sources#183 of 297 overallFukuoka, Japan · Last race 9 Nov 2025
Racers lovePoint-to-point from central Tenjin to the Itoshima coast.
Watch outFinish is far from the city; shuttle buses queued badly in the 2014 debut.
- Air
- 9–18 °C (48–64 °F)
- Field
- about 13,000
- Best
- Conditions 3.9
- Weakest
- Entry 2.8
Overall score 3.1Good#215 of 297Moderate evidence · 5 sources + 1 runner rating
9. Hokkaido Marathon
Overall score 3.1GoodModerate evidence · 5 sources + 1 runner ratingBottom 28%#215 of 297 overallSapporo, Japan · Last race 30 Aug 2026
Racers loveStart and finish at Odori Park in central Sapporo, with subway access.
Watch outLate August heat reached 27 to 30 °C (81 to 86 °F) in 2023 and 2024.
“very well organized” corey10920, RaceRaves Hokkaido Marathon (1 review, 4 out of…
- Air
- 18–27 °C (64–81 °F)
- Field
- about 20,000
- Best
- Stay and travel 3.7
- Weakest
- Conditions 2.5
Overall score 3.0Good#237 of 297Moderate evidence · 5 sources + 2 runner ratings
10. Kyoto Marathon
Overall score 3.0GoodModerate evidence · 5 sources + 2 runner ratingsBottom 21%#237 of 297 overallKyoto, Japan · Next race 21 Feb 2027
Racers loveSeven UNESCO World Heritage sites on the route, including Kinkaku-ji and Ninna-ji.
Watch outCongested first 6 to 8 km (4 to 5 mi); one 3:45 runner lost 3 to 4 minutes.
“Praised the mountain, river and temple views.” RaceRaves runners (hseitz, corey10920), RaceRaves
- Air
- 1–10 °C (34–50 °F)
- Field
- about 16,000
- Best
- Support 3.8
- Weakest
- Entry 2.0
About these ratings
Races are ranked by an overall score out of 5, built from racer reviews and race reports, on the race itself, course, support, conditions, travel and entry. 5 is always the better end. How we rate
Marathon course: 42.2 km (26.2 mi).
2 of 10 scores are thin evidence: fewer than 5 sources each (dashed score, marked provisional). Show only races with 5+ sources.
56 racer reviews and race reports.
Browse all 10 races, A to Z
Training for one of these? Moku Coach builds your plan around race day.