Tokyo Marathon celebrates its 20th edition on March 7, 2027, with a 40,000-runner field and a course that turns central Tokyo into a long, moving grandstand. The marathon starts at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku at 9:10 a.m. and finishes on Gyoko-dori beside Tokyo Station; the wheelchair race begins five minutes earlier. For an overseas runner, the important dates begin months before race day. ONE TOKYO GLOBAL applications run July 31–August 13, 2026, followed by general entry August 14–28. Both can require drawings. Charity-runner applications have already closed, so use the official category page rather than an old registration link.
Who should cross for this
Accepted and prospective international runners, supporters, adaptive athletes, marathon travelers, and AbbottWMM followers.
An overseas-specific entry fee and portal, global field and volunteers, mandatory in-person pickup, and AbbottWMM MTT Age Group World Championships create substantial cross-Pacific travel stakes.
Suggested trip length: 5 nights, arriving Thursday for time-zone adjustment and packet pickup
Build the trip around packet pickup
Every runner must collect a packet in person at Tokyo Big Sight's South Exhibition Halls. Pickup runs March 4–5 from 10:00 to 20:30 and March 6 from 10:00 to 17:30. Bring the required photo ID; proxies and race-day collection are prohibited. The adjoining free EXPO stays open 30 minutes later each day.
A Thursday arrival gives a transpacific traveler time to adjust, collect the packet and make one short visit to the start area. The international-resident fee is US$230, including handling and tax. Race-day baggage costs another JPY1,200 and must be requested during entry.
Choose between an easy start and easy finish
West Shinjuku is the calmest race-morning base because runners can walk toward their assigned gate near the Metropolitan Government Building. Marunouchi and the Tokyo Station area make recovery easier after the finish and connect toward Nishi-shinjuku on the Marunouchi Line. Ariake suits an EXPO-first stay, but adds a cross-city journey on Sunday.
The certified route passes Suidobashi, Ueno, Nihombashi, Asakusa, Ryogoku, Ginza, Tamachi and Hibiya. The seven-hour limit is measured from the gun, with intermediate cutoffs. Supporters should wait for the 2027 crossing and finish-area maps before choosing viewing points.
Watch the anniversary details
Tokyo Marathon Square is planned at Shinjuku Sumitomo Building from March 5–7, with press events, a post-run party and other sessions still to be detailed. A Blue Impulse demonstration flight is also announced, but its time and route remain pending. Recheck the runner handbook, road closures, security list, gates, weather guidance and accessibility arrangements before departure.
Official information
Plan the rest of the trip
Sources
- Tokyo Marathon 2027 race information ↗
- Tokyo Marathon 2027 entry guidelines ↗
- Tokyo Marathon entry schedule ↗
- Tokyo Marathon 20th anniversary projects ↗
- Tokyo Big Sight accessibility ↗
- AbbottWMM MTT Age Group World Championships ↗
Last verified July 17, 2026. Event schedules, venues, and registration details can change; confirm with the organizer before booking travel.