Tokyo Marathon

Tokyo Marathon 2027 takes place on Sunday, March 7, 2027. The marathon and wheelchair marathon start at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku and finish at Tokyo Station on Gyoko-dori Avenue. The marathon starts at 9:10 a.m. JST; the wheelchair race starts at 9:05 a.m. This is the event's 20th edition, with the date, route and EXPO schedule already published by the organizer.

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Date, start and finish

The course crosses central Tokyo, with the start in Shinjuku and the finish beside Tokyo Station. Keep both ends in mind when choosing a hotel or planning a viewing spot; the EXPO is at a third location in Ariake. The organizer's race outline (opens in a new tab) confirms the date, start and finish.

The organizer has increased the field to 40,000 runners for 2027, its 20th edition. Tokyo Marathon is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors series, and the route is certified by the Japan Association of Athletics Federations, AIMS and World Athletics. The anniversary page (opens in a new tab) and race outline (opens in a new tab) list these details.

A route through central Tokyo

From the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, the course heads toward Suidobashi, Ueno-hirokoji, Kanda and Nihombashi. It then passes Asakusa's Kaminarimon Gate and Ryogoku, continues through Monzen-nakacho and Ginza, reaches Tamachi and Hibiya, and ends at Tokyo Station/Gyoko-dori Avenue. The official course map (opens in a new tab) lists expected passing times for wheelchair athletes and runners at points along the route.

For spectators, one neighborhood or two nearby viewing points make a workable plan. Check the 2027 map for estimated passing times and allow room for crowds and delays. Asakusa brings the course past Kaminarimon Gate; Ginza and Nihombashi place it among central shopping and business districts. The finish at Tokyo Station can also fit into a wider visit to the city.

What is new for the 20th edition?

Tokyo Marathon 2027 introduces a para-athlete division over the full 42.195-kilometre marathon distance. The organizer says it replaces the previous 10.7-kilometre race and adds new entry categories for people with disabilities. The program also includes the wheelchair marathon. Older event pages may describe the shorter race; it is not on the 2027 schedule. The organizer explains the change on its anniversary page (opens in a new tab).

The anniversary program includes Tokyo Marathon Square at Shinjuku Sumitomo Building Sankaku Hiroba, near the start. The organizer lists the space for March 5–7, 2027, with press conferences, a post-run party, symposia and other activities planned; the detailed schedule is still to come. It has also announced a Blue Impulse demonstration flight on race day, but its time and route have not yet been published. Treat those details as pending and check the organizer's updates before making a plan around them.

The organizer lists 41 charity options and 5,000 places for charity runners. Applications for the 2027 charity entries have closed; the Tokyo Marathon FAQ (opens in a new tab) explains the program.

Visit the Tokyo Marathon EXPO

The Tokyo Marathon EXPO is open to everyone and free to enter from Thursday, March 4, through Saturday, March 6, 2027, at Tokyo Big Sight South Halls in Ariake. The visitor information page (opens in a new tab) lists Thursday and Friday hours as 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. JST, with last entry at 8:30 p.m. On Saturday, it runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with last entry at 5:30 p.m.

The organizer describes an exhibition of running gear and apparel, partner booths and demonstrations. Runners also collect their race packets there. Packet pick-up must be done in person during the EXPO period, with photo identification; the organizer says there will be no registration or packet pick-up on race day. Those rules apply to participants, while the exhibition itself is open to the public. Check the visitor page again before travelling because hours and program details can change.

Entry and visitor planning

As of October 23, 2026, the published application periods for the main Tokyo Marathon 2027 entry categories have ended. The organizer's entry schedule (opens in a new tab) lists charity applications in June and July, overseas and semi-elite applications in July and August, and the general-entry payment deadline on September 30. Check the official page for any separately announced opportunity or registration for a future edition.

Tokyo's rail network connects Shinjuku, the course neighborhoods, Tokyo Station and Ariake. The official Tokyo travel guide (opens in a new tab) describes the city's JR, subway and bus options, while its subway guide (opens in a new tab) explains station signs, tickets and rechargeable IC cards. Compare rail connections from your hotel to planned stops; straight-line distance to the course can understate travel time.

For race morning, choose one section of the course, check its estimated passing times and leave enough time to reach your station. The start, finish and EXPO are in separate parts of Tokyo, so plan the rail trips between them. Runners should check the official entry and packet-pickup information before travelling.