Typical race-weekend conditions
Cool & mixed- High / Low
- 13° / 4°
- Humidity
- 68%
- Rainy days
- 39%
Averages from ~10 years of history around race day.
Know before you go
- Distance
- 42.2 km (26.2 miles)
- ✈️ From London
- ~13h16
- 🕐 Time
- +9h vs UK
- 💷 Money
- £1 ≈ ¥211.26
- 🗣 Language
- Japanese
- 🌫 Air quality
- Moderate
- 🏳️🌈 LGBTQ+
- Mixed
- 🛡 Safety
- Very safe
Country-level indices: LGBTQ+ via Equaldex · safety via Global Peace Index 2025 . Air quality is recent PM2.5; money is indicative.
The route
Starts by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku and finishes near Tokyo Station, passing Asakusa, Ginza and the Imperial Palace. Flat, fast and famously smooth.
Start time
The 2027 marathon starts at 09:10 by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku; the wheelchair race goes at 09:05. The cut-off is 7 hours (finish closes at 16:10), with intermediate cut-off points listed in the Runner Guidebook. Packet pickup at Tokyo Big Sight runs 4–6 March, in person with photo ID — there is no race-day pickup.
Entry fee
Indicative entry is £175 per runner. Confirm the current bib price on the official site; ballot, charity, and tour prices can differ. For 2027, the organiser’s published overseas participation fee is USD 230 (about £175 on this page’s defaults; card FX often lands £170–£180), entry/handling/tax included — confirm on marathon.tokyo. Japan residents pay JPY 19,800. That is the bib only, not a hotel, flight, or charity donation.
Registration
The 2027 general lottery (14–28 August 2026) has closed. Results were posted on My Entry on 18 September and the payment deadline passed on 30 September; unpaid places are void. Charity places for 2027 are also closed. Overseas runners without a place can buy an authorised tour package (only Kinki Nippon Tourist and its partner agencies sell entry) or join ONE TOKYO GLOBAL for a future draw. Entries cannot be transferred, and withdrawing does not get you a refund or deferral.
Where to stay
Shinjuku is ideal for the start, while Marunouchi and Ginza sit close to the finish and Tokyo Station.
Getting there
From Haneda (HND) the Tokyo Monorail or Keikyu line reaches central Tokyo in 20-30 minutes; from Narita allow 60-90 minutes via the Narita Express.
That weekend
The Expo is at Tokyo Big Sight; add a shakeout by the Imperial Palace moat, then Senso-ji temple, Shibuya Crossing and a sushi breakfast at Toyosu.
Sample 4-day trip
Arrive, explore, race, then head home. A proper weekend, not a rushed fly-by.
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Day 1: Arrive
Fly into Haneda (HND) if you can. The Tokyo Monorail or Keikyu line reaches central Tokyo in 20–30 minutes. From Narita (NRT), allow 60–90 minutes on the Narita Express . Book a private transfer if you land jet-lagged with kit.
Check into Shinjuku, Ginza, or Marunouchi . Keep the evening gentle and confirm expo hours at Tokyo Big Sight.
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Day 2: Shakedown Run and Explore the City
Collect your bib at the Tokyo Marathon expo at Tokyo Big Sight. Allow proper time for queues and the show floor.
Jog an easy shakeout around the Imperial Palace moat. Keep sightseeing light: Senso-ji or Shibuya at a stroll, not a march. Early dinner and an early night suit a impeccably organised major.
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Day 3: Race Day
The start is by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku. From Shinjuku hotels, many runners walk. JR and Metro lines cover other bases. Arrive early: security, bag drop, and start pens fill up.
Finish near Tokyo Station. Celebrate with sushi or ramen nearby and keep the afternoon gentle. Save day trips for tomorrow if legs allow.
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Day 4: Final Day
Recovery brunch, a slow Ginza wander, or a food tour if you still have energy. Four nights is the comfortable shape for jet lag plus a major.
Monorail or Narita Express back to the airport needs margin after a marathon. Book a private transfer if you prefer door-to-door.
