動 · Outdoors
KYOTO MARATHON 2027
京都マラソン2027
Filed underAutumn leavesNorthern Higashiyama: Philosopher’s Path
The KYOTO MARATHON 2027 takes place on Sunday, February 21, 2027. The marathon (42.195 km) and pair-Ekiden start at 09:00 from TAKEBISHI Stadium Kyoto (Nishikyogoku Athletic Park) and finish in front of Heian-jingu Shrine; the wheelchair race (6.1 km) starts at 08:55 and finishes in Arashiyama. The time limit for the marathon and pair-Ekiden is 6 hours. Entry caps are 16,000 runners for the marathon, 250 pairs (500 runners) for the pair-Ekiden, and 20 athletes for the wheelchair race. General entry is closed and the lottery has been held; no additional lottery will be run.
Traffic and getting around
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- On race day, large-scale traffic restrictions will be in place around the course. ↗
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- Sunday, February 21 is a no-car day; your understanding and cooperation are appreciated. ↗
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- Please avoid using private cars and use public transport instead. ↗
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- Cyclists and pedestrians will face restrictions crossing the course; pedestrians should use footbridges, subway entrances and similar crossings. ↗
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- The road-use times shown are approximate, based on the previous race; details will be announced around December (planned). ↗
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- The January 15 ward editions of the city newsletter, issued just before the race, are planned to include a free City Bus ticket valid on race day only, from the first bus until alighting by 6 p.m. (planned). ↗
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- The No-My-Car Day is set to keep emergency vehicles and route buses running smoothly and maintain city functions, which requires a major reduction in car traffic. ↗
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- Some route-bus services affected by the traffic restrictions will be diverted or suspended, and delays may occur. ↗
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- The subway and private railways are scheduled to run as normal. ↗
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- In areas where route buses cannot run, free shuttle taxis are planned to minimise disruption to local residents' daily life. ↗
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- Details of route-bus operations are scheduled to be announced on the official site around January. ↗
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- The methods and times of the 2027 traffic restrictions are still being discussed; information will be published on the official site and official social accounts as it becomes ready. ↗
Spectating
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- The roadside cheering performances take place at 7 spots along the marathon course (planned). ↗
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- The roadside cheering performances run on Sunday, 21 February 2027, from around 9:00 to around 15:00. ↗
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- About 30 performance groups are recruited for the roadside cheering; selection is by the organising committee, not first-come-first-served. Applications ran 1–31 October 2026 (now closed). ↗
- Restrictions
- Performances for political purposes, religious promotion, or commercial purposes are not accepted, nor are any the organisers judge inappropriate. ↗
- Restrictions
- The use or bringing in of open flames and hazardous items is not permitted at the roadside cheering performances. ↗
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- On race day, equipment cannot be brought in or out by vehicle; please use public transport to reach the performance spots. ↗
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- Photography at the roadside cheering performances is generally not banned outright (except at some spots). ↗
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- Most performance spots are outdoors, and there is no roof cover in case of rain. ↗
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- The official cheering guide is scheduled for release around January, web-only, with no printed booklet. ↗
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- The Okoshiyasu Welcome Square and the Otsukaresama Square are planned to be held again this year; details will follow. ↗
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- The Okoshiyasu Welcome Square is free to enter and is scheduled at Miyako Messe on the two days before the race, with stage events and hospitality stalls. ↗
Stay and language
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- Hotel rooms in Kyoto are limited, so the official site advises runners and supporters to book early via the marathon's dedicated accommodation booking. ↗
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- The dedicated marathon accommodation booking runs from 10:00 on 16 July 2026 to 17:00 on 15 January 2027, closing early if fully booked. ↗
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- The official site has an English version (https://kyoto-marathon.com/en/), plus Simplified Chinese (/scn/) and Traditional Chinese (/tcn/) versions. ↗
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- The English site has a hotel reservation page stating that JTB has prepared hotels for runners and supporters, with early booking recommended. ↗
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