Why foreign runners are flocking to Japan’s top marathons

If you want to feel Japan in motion, there’s only one way: run.

For visitors, marathons are often the reason to come; for foreign residents, they offer a fresh way to see an adopted home. Major races have become more than sporting events — they bring the country to life beneath your feet.

On marathon day, cities transform. Roads close, volunteers line the streets, and spectators cheer as runners pass. From urban skylines to mountain backdrops, Japan’s headline marathons showcase the country in ways even locals rarely experience.