Written by JC Team
Nagano Marathon awes with snow-capped mountain views and heaps of blooming cherry blossoms.
What happens?
This is one of Japan’s most scenic large-scale road races.
Entry
Race entry opens on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 10 a.m. (Japan time), with places awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and capped at 10,000 participants. Applications close on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at 11:59 p.m., or earlier if capacity is reached.
Race numbers and the information pack are emailed in late March 2026. The race itself takes place on Sunday, April 19, 2026, starting at Nagano Sports Park in Nagano City. Finish certificates will be available online for download in late May 2026.
Course
The course starts at the Nagano Sports Park and ends at the Nagano Olympic Stadium. The time limit is 5 hours.
How to get there
You can get from Tokyo to Nagano on the Shinkansen — details and cheaper options here. The only thing you need to worry about is how much you want to spend and where to stay.
