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Tokyo Marathon 2027: Date, Course, Entry And Runner’s Guide
Updated: Oct 1
The Tokyo Marathon 2027 takes place on Sunday 7 March. Starting among the skyscrapers of Shinjuku and finishing near Tokyo Station, it takes runners through districts that show several sides of Japan’s capital, from Asakusa’s historic streets to the wide avenues of Ginza.
Tokyo is one of the World Marathon Majors, and its combination of a fast course and a remarkable destination makes entry highly sought after. Whether you already have a place or are considering a future edition, this guide takes you through the race’s history, course and entry options.
The Destination
Tokyo is a city that deserves more than a quick visit for the marathon. Shinjuku’s towers and busy streets contrast with the temples and traditional shops of Asakusa, while Ginza offers another change of scene. The course passes through several well known areas, but leave yourself time to explore them without a race number pinned to your shirt.
Sensō-ji in Asakusa, Shibuya Crossing and the area around the Imperial Palace are popular places to begin. Tokyo’s rail network makes it possible to see a great deal of the city, although it is worth planning your journeys to the expo and race start before marathon weekend.
Food is another part of the experience, from small neighbourhood noodle shops to restaurants serving sushi, rice dishes and grilled food. If you are travelling across time zones, arriving a few days early gives you time to adjust and settle into your usual routine before race day.
History Of The Tokyo Marathon
The first Tokyo Marathon was held in 2007. It brought elite competition and mass participation together in a major city race, attracting more than 95,000 applicants for its inaugural edition. Its popularity quickly established Tokyo as a destination for runners from around the world.
Tokyo joined the World Marathon Majors from its 2013 edition. For runners collecting Major finishes, that gave the race another significance beyond its course and setting. The 2027 event will be its 20th edition, and the organiser has increased the marathon field to 40,000 runners to mark the anniversary.
When Is The Tokyo Marathon 2027?
The Tokyo Marathon 2027 is scheduled for Sunday 7 March. The marathon starts at 9:10 a.m. local time outside the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku and finishes on Gyoko-dori Avenue near Tokyo Station.
The official time limit is seven hours from the starting gun. There are also intermediate cut off points along the route, so runners aiming to use most of the available time should read the final participant information carefully.
Who Organises The Tokyo Marathon?
The Tokyo Marathon Foundation organises the race, with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Japan Association of Athletics Federations among its co-organisers. Delivering a course across so many central districts requires extensive planning, from road closures and transport to volunteers and runner services.
That organisation matters to visiting runners. The start and finish are in different parts of the city and race packs must be collected in person, Work through those practical details before you travel so that race weekend feels straightforward.
Tokyo Marathon 2027 Expo And Race Pack Collection
Runners must collect their race packs in person at Tokyo Big Sight’s South Exhibition Halls. For 2027, collection is scheduled for Thursday 4 and Friday 5 March from 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Saturday 6 March from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. There is no race-day collection.
The expo takes place across the same three days. Allow time for travel and collection, particularly if you arrive in Tokyo on the Saturday. Check your final runner instructions for the identification and documents required.
Tokyo Marathon 2027 Course
The route runs from Shinjuku through Suidobashi, Ueno-hirokoji, Kanda, Nihombashi, Asakusa, Ryogoku, Monzen-nakacho, Ginza, Tamachi and Hibiya before finishing near Tokyo Station. It begins with a descent from Shinjuku and is relatively gentle thereafter, making it attractive to runners chasing a fast time.
The course also has several turns and sections where runners head out and return along a similar corridor. Those changes of direction are worth understanding before race day, especially the late turn at Tamachi. The approximate distances below follow the organiser’s 2027 course information.
Shinjuku To Ueno-hirokoji: 0–11 km
The start sits among the tall buildings around the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. The route descends through Shinjuku, and the combination of the gradient and the excitement of a Major can make the opening kilometres feel deceptively easy. By around 7–8 km, runners move through the Suidobashi and Jinbocho areas. The course continues through Kanda to a turning point at Ueno-hirokoji at approximately 10.6 km, then heads back towards Kanda. Settle into your planned effort here rather than trying to gain time from the downhill start.
Nihombashi And Asakusa: 11–20 km
After Kanda, the route passes through Nihombashi, an area associated with Tokyo’s historic centre. It then continues towards Kuramae and Asakusa, reaching the Kaminarimon Gate area at roughly 18–19 km. This is one of the most recognisable sights on the course and a memorable contrast with the skyscrapers at the start. Runners turn back towards Ryogoku, passing the 20 km point near Kuramae Bridge. Halfway comes shortly afterwards. With several changes of direction in this section, it helps to follow the marked route and maintain your effort rather than reacting to every turn.
Ryogoku And Monzen-nakacho: Halfway–28 km
From Ryogoku, the course heads southeast towards Monzen-nakacho. The turning point near Tomioka Hachimangu comes just before 24 km, after which runners return towards Ryogoku. You pass through Monzen-nakacho again at around 25 km and reach the Kuramae Bridge area close to 28 km. This extended journey out and back can make progress feel harder to judge than on a course that travels continuously towards its finish. Keep to the food and drink routine you practised in training, even if you still feel comfortable after halfway.
Nihombashi, Ginza And Tamachi: 28–38 km
The course returns through central Tokyo. It passes the Meijiza area around 30 km, reaches Nihombashi again at about 32 km and enters Ginza at approximately 33 km. The broad avenues give this stage a very different feel from the narrower streets around Asakusa. From Ginza, runners continue through the Hibiya area and head south towards Shiba Park and Tamachi. The turning point near Tamachi Station is at approximately 37.5 km. Knowing in advance that the route takes you away from the finish this late in the race makes it easier to stay patient until you turn back.
Hibiya To The Finish: 38–42.195 km
After Tamachi, the route heads north again, passing through the Hibiya area at around 41 km. The final approach leads towards Marunouchi and the finish on Gyoko-dori Avenue near Tokyo Station. It is an impressive setting in which to finish a race that has covered so much of the city. Tokyo Tower may be visible in the wider area, but runners do not pass directly by its base. Keep your attention on the final kilometres, then enjoy the finish as it comes into view.
Aid Stations
The Tokyo Marathon has aid stations along the route, but the organiser has not yet published the final station locations or food and drink provision for 2027. Use the runner guide when it is released to check what will be available and where.
Plan your race nutrition around products you have used in training. If you intend to rely on anything supplied by the event, check the confirmed 2027 details first, including the location of food stations and any ingredient information relevant to you.
How To Enter The Tokyo Marathon
The main public entry route is the general draw. Applications for 2027 were open from 14 to 28 August 2026, with results announced on 18 September.
Other routes include One Tokyo membership categories and Run as One semi-elite entry for runners who meet the relevant conditions. Official international tour packages with guaranteed entry may also be offered through appointed partners. If you are still seeking a 2027 place, check current availability directly with the organiser or an authorised provider before booking travel.
A charity place has its own application process. An unsuccessful application in the general draw does not automatically transfer a runner into charity entry.
Run The Tokyo Marathon 2027 For Charity
Some charities have Tokyo Marathon places available for runners who commit to fundraising for them. If you have missed out through the general entry draw, this is another route worth exploring. Availability varies, so check charities’ current event pages and contact them directly about a 2027 place.
Each charity sets its own terms. You may be asked to pay a registration fee and agree to a minimum fundraising target. Before applying, make sure you check the target and when the fundraising payments are due.
Choose a cause you want to support and give yourself enough time to fundraise alongside your training. A charity place can get you to the Tokyo start line while making the miles you run count for something beyond the race.
Where To Stay
Tokyo is enormous, so choosing the right area can make a big difference to your marathon weekend. Shinjuku is a particularly practical base, with a huge choice of hotels, restaurants and transport connections, while areas such as Tokyo Station, Ginza and Shimbashi provide convenient alternatives if you also want to explore the city during your stay.
Tokyo's rail and metro networks make it possible to stay much further from the central areas, but check your race-morning journey carefully before booking. Hotels can also be very different in size and style from those you may be used to elsewhere, so look closely at room details as well as price and location.
Our Verdict
The Tokyo Marathon earns its place among the world’s most sought-after races. It offers the possibility of a quick time, but the course is memorable for more than its speed: runners travel from Shinjuku’s towers to Asakusa’s historic streets, through Ginza and back towards a finish near Tokyo Station.
Securing a place remains the biggest hurdle. Once you have one, study the course’s turning points, arrange your expo visit and plan the journey to the start. Then you can give the race itself your full attention.
Race website
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