Running a Marathon in Japan: What You Need to Know!
ja Japan hey YouTube welcome back to Raina’s channel if you’re planning a trip to Japan doing your homework ahead of time is super important today’s video is all about marathon races in Japan you probably know that marathon season here usually happens in the winter but did you know that registration typically opens about 6 months in advance yep most races start accepting entries between June and August and here’s the kicker the popular ones fill up fast some even use a lottery system because demand is so high so if you’re thinking about running a marathon in Japan I hope this video helps you get started stick around until the end because I’ll be sharing Raina’s top five recommended marathons in Japan you don’t want to miss it all right let’s dive into the world of Japanese marathons let’s go ja Ja Ja Japan unique features of marathons in Japan marathon running is extremely popular in Japan with hundreds of races held throughout the country every year events range from largecale city marathons to scenic half marathons in rural areas and even fun runs where many participants wear creative costumes japanese races are known for their precise organization well-prepared water and medical stations and the warm support from spectators along the course these qualities consistently earn praise from runners around the world additionally participants often receive memorable goodies such as finisher medals official t-shirts and local specialty products making the experience even more rewarding popular races among international runners three races are particularly popular among international participants the Kyoto Marathon Mel Fuji Marathon and Heimeji Castle Marathon the Kyoto Marathon offers a breathtaking course through the historic streets of Japan’s ancient capital passing by famous temples and shrines the warm local support and scenic route make it perfect for those looking to combine sightseeing with running the Mount Suji Marathon features a picturesque course around Lake Yamanaka with stunning views of Mount Fuji especially on clear days running with Japan’s iconic mountain as a backdrop offers a truly unforgettable experience the Hameji Castle Marathon begins and ends at Hameji Castle a UNESCO World Heritage site this race is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Japanese history and culture while running through charming streets the number of overseas participants has been increasing each year best races to set a personal record if you’re aiming for a personal best we recommend the Sakuba Marathon Tokyo Marathon Osaka Marathon and Kanazawa Marathon the Sakuba Marathon is known for its flat course and stable weather conditions making it a favorite among amateur runners seeking fast times the Tokyo Marathon one of the six Abbott world marathon majors offers a wide smooth city course and an electric atmosphere it attracts elite runners from around the globe making it ideal for high performance goals the Osaka Marathon also features a flat city-based route with wide roads that help maintain a steady pace the energetic crowds provide incredible support throughout the race the Canazawa Marathon strikes a perfect balance between beauty and speed its relatively flat course combined with charming cityscapes appeals to both record seekers and sightseers influential figures in Japan’s running scene japan has many running influencers who share their passion for the sport on social media one stand out is Mitsuka known for detailed race reports and training tips on YouTube and Instagram his easy to follow content is especially helpful for international runners another notable figure is Suie who calls herself a singer songrunner she composes and performs original music inspired by running and uses her concerts and events to promote the joy of the sport her unique fusion of music and athletics has gained widespread support in Japan’s running community former Olympic gold medalist Naoko Takahashi also remains an influential figure in Japanese running culture through media appearances and public events she continues to inspire runners of all levels important tips for registering for races many popular races in Japan require lotterybased registration due to high demand and entry slots can fill up quickly the Tokyo Marathon in particular is extremely competitive so it’s crucial to check the application schedule well in advance another critical consideration is securing accommodation early especially for races in regional cities where hotel options are limited it’s highly recommended to book your stay before entering the race this ensures you won’t end up with a race entry but no place to stay participating in a marathon in Japan is a fantastic way to explore the country through running you’ll experience breathtaking landscapes unique cultural heritage and the tiniest of local communities one step at a time ja Japan so what did you think which marathon caught your eye of course there are tons of other races held all across Japan so if there’s a specific one you’re curious about or want more info on just drop me a message all right thanks for waiting now it’s finally time for Raina’s top five recommended marathons in Japan let’s kick things off with number five coming in at number five we’ve got the Toyama Marathon held every November one of the most iconic parts of the course is crossing the massive Shinmanado Bridge where you’ll get an epic view of the Tatayama Mountain Range right in front of you it’s seriously breathtaking and the finish line it’s set in the stunning Fugan Canal Canway Park which is the perfect reward after the race oh and fun fact the Starbucks in this park is said to be the most beautiful Starbucks in the world no joke next up number four the Kanazawa Marathon held in October this race lets you run through one of Japan’s most historic and picturesque cities the first 12 km are a gentle uphill but after that it’s a nice gradual downhill all the way to the finish perfect for chasing that personal best and once you’ve crushed your race you’ve got the whole city of Knazawa to explore if you’re looking to combine running with sightseeing this one’s a total no-brainer number three is the Heimeji Castle Marathon happening in February this one starts and finishes right at Himeji Castle a UNESCO World Heritage site how epic is that the final stretch leads you straight toward the castle making for a truly unforgettable finish line moment it’s super instaorthy plus the course is mostly flat so it’s a great option if you’re aiming for a fast time coming in at number two the Negano Marathon held in April this race marks the end of Japan’s marathon season and is a favorite among locals the crowd support here is just amazing the whole city of Negano comes together to cheer you on it’s one of those races where the experience sticks with you long after your legs stop hurting the organizers really put runners first which is why it’s so highly rated by participants year after year and finally drum roll please number one is the legendary Tokyo Marathon held every March this is the race to run in Japan you’ll dash through the heart of one of the world’s biggest and most exciting cities passing famous landmarks on a super flat ultra fast course you’ll be running alongside some of the world’s top athletes it’s honestly inspiring just being in the same race with around 38,000 runners it’s a massive event but keep in mind entry is through a lottery and rumor has it the odds can be tougher than 10 to one so there you have it some of these races might already be closed for registration while others still have spots open so if you’re serious about joining one don’t wait too long to sign up and hey if you’ve run a great marathon in Japan that I didn’t mention I’d love to hear about it let me know in the comments there’s still so much to discover in Japan and I’ll keep bringing you all kinds of exciting info about this amazing country so stay tuned hit that subscribe button so you’ll be the first to know when I post new content oh and great news i’ve also launched a website with articles related to this video you can even book tours and shop for souvenirs check out the link in the description below [Music] all right that’s all for today see you in the next video sayanara [Music]
Marathon running is extremely popular in Japan, with hundreds of races held throughout the country every year.
https://local-treasures.com/ja-ja-ja/sp5
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