How To Make The Most Out Of Your Tokyo Marathon Weekend

If you’re lucky enough to be heading to Tokyo, here are my top tips to help you make the most of your trip, whether it’s your first visit to the city or your sixth World Marathon Major, and even if, like me, you’re only there for a few days.

Running the Tokyo Marathon is about so much more than race day. From navigating jet lag and soaking up the city’s electric energy to lining up at one of the world’s most iconic marathon starts, the experience is truly unforgettable. When I travelled to Japan to take on the Tokyo Marathon, it became one of the most memorable trips of my life.

Although I went out solo, the support of Sports Tours International meant I was never truly alone, from the moment I arrived, I had an instant group of friends to share the build-up, nerves and excitement with. Between exploring Japan and running the marathon itself, the entire experience was unforgettable.

Travelling to Japan for the Tokyo Marathon

Before travelling, I was recommended the Time Shifter app. I’ll admit, I was a bit sceptical at first, but with a 14+ hour flight and a huge time difference, it was surprisingly helpful. It guided me on when to sleep on the plane, when to stay awake, and how to land tired enough to eat dinner, head to bed and adjust to Tokyo time as quickly as possible.

You can’t avoid jet lag completely, but having a plan definitely helped me feel more prepared to run the Tokyo Marathon after flying halfway across the world – plus it told me exactly when to embrace the caffeine… and when to back off!

Getting to Tokyo is pretty straightforward, with plenty of airline options available. From the UK, there are direct flights to Tokyo with British Airways, Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA), while popular one-stop routes are available with airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Finnair, Air France and KLM.

Tokyo is served by both Haneda and Narita airports, giving runners flexibility when planning their journey and managing jet lag.

Download Google Translate in Tokyo

This was an absolute lifesaver. From menus and shops to trains and conversations with locals, it helped with everything. Travelling solo, I was a little nervous about the language barrier, but this took away so much stress. On my first night, when all I wanted to do was inhale sushi, I confidently ordered salmon and avocado rolls without a problem.

The Best Accommodation in Japan on Tokyo Marathon Weekend

I stayed at The New Otani with Sports Tours, and it was AMAZING. I arrived, dropped my case, and headed straight back out to explore, I only had three days, so there was no time to waste! Just minutes away is a lively street full of restaurants and shops, plus several 7/11 stores where I stocked up on water, matcha Kit Kats (elite), and some incredible Japanese Epsom salts recommended by my good friend and Sports Tours Ambassador, Yimmy. (That said, nothing new before race day!)

The New Otani Tokyo is an ideal base for Tokyo Marathon weekend for both runners and spectators. Its central location makes getting to the start, key viewing spots and post-race meet-ups easy, while the spacious rooms, calm surroundings and on-site facilities provide the perfect place to rest and recover. With plenty of dining options nearby and excellent transport links, it takes the stress out of race weekend so you can focus on enjoying the experience.

For the record, I felt incredibly safe walking around on my own, even with very little sense of direction.

Must Run Locations in Tokyo

The hotel is super close to the Imperial Palace, which is the perfect pre-marathon running route. I arrived on Thursday night and headed there on Friday morning for an easy shake-out run to beat the jet lag and wake the legs up. The area was full of other runners doing the same, which really added to the excitement and made it a great way to soak up the marathon buzz while seeing one of Tokyo’s most iconic landmarks.

Sightseeing during Tokyo Marathon weekend

With only Friday to explore (and that included the expo), I had to be selective. My first stop, as recommended, was Shibuya Crossing, the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing.

Top tip: head to the Starbucks overlooking the crossing, grab a coffee, and just watch the madness unfold below. It was pretty special.

I also visited the marathon start area after hearing about the free viewpoint at the Shinjuku Metropolitan Government Building. The observatory at the top is very cool, and on a clear day you can even see Mount Fuji. If you’re short on time, my advice is to pick a couple of key highlights and enjoy them properly rather than trying to do everything.

Fuelling for Tokyo Marathon

Another crucial thing I did on Friday was try Pocari Sweat, the sports drink provided on the course, as I wanted to make sure my stomach could tolerate it beforehand. It was extremely hot last year, so I knew this would be essential alongside water. Luckily, I tested it in advance and had no issues, a huge peace of mind going into race day.

For more information on fuelling for a marathon to perform your best on race day, read our blog here.

The day before the Tokyo Marathon  

The day before the race, I kept things very relaxed, aside from a fun 5K shake-out run with Sports Tours, of course. I went for a gentle walk to try and spot cherry blossom, which I’d heard was a must-see in Japan at this time of year. I also visited Seiko House in Ginza, where all runners’ names are displayed in the window. Naturally, I grabbed a selfie with my name amongst thousands of others.

Aside from that, it was all about resting and eating well, but importantly, not trying any brand-new foods, no matter how tempting they were.

Race Day Checklist for Runners

The night before the marathon

• Lay out your full race kit (vest, shorts, socks, shoes)
• Attach your bib and check timing chip
• Set alarms (and a backup!)
• Charge your watch, headphones and phone
• Review times for transport plans to the start
• Hydrate well with electrolytes and get to bed early!

Race morning

• Eat your usual breakfast (nothing new!)
• Get dressed in layers you can discard
• Apply anti-chafe balm and sunscreen if needed
• Pack any gels and chews you’ll carry
• Do a light warm-up and mobility stretches

Breakfast before the Tokyo Marathon

This one is personal, but if you’re a creature of habit like me, bring your own race-morning breakfast. I needed the reassurance of my usual bagels and peanut butter and wasn’t convinced I’d easily find them in Japan. Packing them in my suitcase gave me one less thing to worry about on race morning.

Tokyo Marathon Race Day Logistics

Sports Tours take the stress out of race day, with seamless coach transfers from the hotel straight to the start and friendly reps on hand to help with any questions. It means arriving at the start line on time, calm, and ready to run.

Security at the start is strict but well organised, and the volunteers are incredibly helpful. One key tip: as soon as you’re through security, head straight to the toilets. There weren’t nearly enough, the queues were massive, and I very nearly missed my start time, learn from my mistake!

The Tokyo Marathon

Tokyo Marathon is an incredible race, with brilliant crowds and so much to see along the route. There are a number of switchbacks, which I know some runners aren’t keen on, but I actually found they helped break the course up and gave me something different to focus on. I even got to see the elites at one point, which was pretty special.

One key thing to remember is that you can’t carry your own liquids like at other marathons, which initially made me quite anxious. Make sure you take full advantage of every aid station to stay hydrated, it really makes a difference.

Final Tokyo Marathon tip

Smile for the photos (there are a lot of cameras!) and fully embrace every moment. Running a marathon through Tokyo truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so soak it all in and enjoy every single step.

The Tokyo Marathon is an experience that stays with you long after you cross the finish line. From the energy of the crowds to the unforgettable sights of the city, every moment feels special. If you’re heading to Tokyo this year or next year, take it all in, trust your preparation, and enjoy the journey, because running through the streets of Tokyo really is something you’ll remember forever. Sign up here.