What this is
The Amakusa Marathon is a long-running community road race now in its 21st edition, held in Amakusa City on the scenic Amakusa Islands of Kumamoto Prefecture. The event starts and finishes at Amashin Stadium (Amakusa City Athletic Stadium) and offers multiple distances including a half marathon, half marathon relay, 5km, and 3km courses. Runners of all ages are welcome, making this a genuinely inclusive event that draws both serious competitors and casual participants from the local community and beyond. The 2026 edition features the Higo Bank Women's Ekiden Team as guest runners, adding a touch of competitive prestige to the occasion. Finishers who complete their course within the time limit receive official completion certificates, and all participants are gifted local Amakusa products as a token of the region's hospitality.
Who should go
This event suits recreational runners, families with active children, and anyone looking to experience authentic community life on the Amakusa Islands. The multi-distance format means beginners can tackle the 3km or 5km while more experienced runners take on the half marathon. The festive, local atmosphere makes it equally enjoyable for supporters and spectators cheering from the sidelines. If you're planning to run, register early as community marathons in rural Japan often fill up quickly through local channels.
Good to know
Registration for community marathons in Japan is typically handled through local sports associations or regional running event platforms — check the Amakusa City official website or running registration sites such as RunNet (runnet.jp) for entry details, as foreign credit cards may not be accepted on all platforms. Amashin Stadium is a standard municipal athletic facility; arrive at least 45–60 minutes before the 09:00 start to allow time for bib collection, bag storage, and warm-up. Local Amakusa products are distributed to finishers, so bring a bag to carry your gifts home. The Amakusa Islands have limited accommodation, so book lodging in advance if travelling from outside the region — Amakusa City itself has a small selection of hotels and ryokan. Cash is advisable for any on-site food or merchandise stalls, as rural event venues in Japan rarely have card payment facilities.
This event was sourced and translated from Japanese by What's On Japan. Details may change — verify with the official source before attending.