Niigata City Marathon 2026
・The serene Shinano River, the vast Sea of Japan, and the thrilling underwater tunnel! This varied and ever-engaging course is the pride of the “Niigata City Marathon.”
The “Niigata 2km” section connects the historic Bandai Bridge—a nationally designated Important Cultural Property in the city center—to Furumachi. Runners can enjoy views of the Shinano River, Japan’s longest major river, the Sea of Japan with views of Sado Island, and the underwater “Niigata Minato Tunnel.”
From the city streets to the riverbanks, the coastline, and even the riverbed, this course lets you fully experience the charm of Niigata, the Port City.
・A Flat Course Perfect for Setting a Personal Best
With a maximum elevation gain of just 30 meters, the course is mostly flat and easy to run, making it ideal for those aiming to set a personal best.
The generous 7-hour time limit makes this a runner-friendly event, even for first-time participants. There are many turnaround zones along the route where you’ll pass other runners, so you can get inspired by faster runners or enjoy waving to your friends.
Savour Niigata-Style Refreshments
True to Niigata’s reputation as a rice-growing region, aid stations feature delicious bite-sized rice portions. You might also find bamboo leaf dumplings and “Momotaro Ice Cream,” the soul food of Niigata residents.
The post-race treats—including giant onigiri made with Niigata-grown Koshihikari rice and freshly grilled mochi—are also very popular.
Choose Your Participation Gift & Delicious Finisher’s Prize
This year’s participation gift lets you choose from an original drawstring bag, an original running cap, or an original silicone water bottle.
As for the finisher’s prize, you’ll receive a finisher’s towel and either a jumbo rice ball made with Niigata-grown Koshihikari rice or a pack of cooked rice. It’s a finisher’s prize that truly reflects the region’s reputation as a rice-growing hub.
Why Niigata?
Niigata offers a rich combination of natural beauty, exceptional cuisine, and cultural depth.
Renowned for its premium rice, fresh seafood, and distinguished sake breweries, the region provides visitors with authentic Japanese experiences.
From hot-spring resorts to ski destinations in winter and scenic coastal landscapes, Niigata is an ideal destination for travelers seeking both relaxation and adventure.
Pre- or Post-race Excursion
Niigata City Sightseeing Spots
1. Northern Culture Museum
The Northern Culture Museum is the former mansion of the Ito family, one of the most influential landowners in Niigata during the Edo and Meiji periods. The estate covers 8,800 tsubo, approximately 29,000 square meters, and includes 65 rooms, traditional storehouses, tea houses, and a magnificent Japanese garden. It became Japan’s first private museum after WWII.
The Ito Family Residence is a historic estate that represents the lifestyle of Niigata’s wealthy landowners, known as “gōnō.”
The mansion features traditional wooden architecture, spacious rooms, and beautifully preserved storehouses, offering visitors a glimpse into the agricultural prosperity of the region.
2. Yahiko Shrine
Yahiko Shrine is the most important Shinto shrine in Niigata, with a history of over 2,400 years. Surrounded by a sacred forest at the foot of Mt. Yahiko, it honors the deity who taught the region farming and fishing.
A Sacred Forest at the Foot of Mt. Yahiko feels like stepping into old Japan.
The giant torii gate is one of the largest in Japan, stands near the entrance to the village.
出所：越後一宮 彌彦神社（JPN Site）
3. Imayo Tsukasa Sake Brewery
Imayo Tsukasa is a historic sake brewery founded in 1767 and located just a 15-minute walk from Niigata Station. It produces only junmai sake using pure water from Mt. Suganadake.
Visitors can join daily brewery tours, including an English tour on weekdays, and enjoy tastings in a beautifully preserved wooden brewery that feels like stepping back into old Japan.
4. Iwamuro Onsen
Iwamuro Onsen is a 300-year-old hot spring village in Niigata, famous for its unique black sulfur water and the legend of a healing goose. Surrounded by mountains, rice fields, and the Sea of Japan, it offers a peaceful retreat with traditional inns, geisha culture, and a relaxing rural atmosphere.
Iwamuro Onsen is the birthplace of Echigo Geisha and can be reached within 40 minutes from central Niigata city by car.
出所：岩室温泉｜新潟の観光スポット｜にいがた観光ナビ（JPN Site）
Sightseeing Spots Nearby Niigata City
1. Shibata Castle
Shibata Castle, a 25-minute walk from JR Shibata Station, was built in 1598 by Lord Mizoguchi Hidekatsu, the first feudal lord of the Shibata Domain.
Today, several original structures remain, including the Front Gate and the Ninomaru Corner Turret, both designated as Important Cultural Properties.
The castle grounds are now a peaceful park with cherry blossoms, seasonal scenery, and views of the moats and stone walls.
2. Ashigaru Row Houses
These Edo-period row houses were built for ashigaru, the foot soldiers who formed the lowest rank of the samurai class.
Rather than lavish samurai mansions, visitors can see the real-life daily routines of ordinary samurai. The quiet streets lined with row houses also make for photogenic traditional scenery.
出所：足軽長屋｜にいがた観光ナビ（JPN Site）
3. Tsubame Industrial Materials Museum
The Tsubame Industrial Materials Museum offers an in-depth look at the metalworking heritage that has made the Tsubame-Sanjo region famous worldwide.
A key feature of the museum is its hands-on polishing workshop, where visitors can try the meticulous finishing techniques that give Tsubame products their signature shine.
4. Tojiro Open Factory
The Tojiro Open Factory in Tsubame-Sanjo provides an immersive experience into the art of Japanese knife making.
Visitors can observe each stage of the process, from forging and heat treating the steel to sharpening the blade and crafting the handle.
出所：燕三条製包丁の藤次郎株式会社｜TOJIRO JAPAN（JPN Site）
Gourmet Information
Niigata is one of Japan’s best gourmet regions. It is famous for premium rice, fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan, and high-quality sake.
Visitors can enjoy unique dishes such as hegi soba, tare-katsu, traditional fermented foods, and popular rice crackers made in the region.
1. Rice, Rice Crackers, and Sake
Niigata is Japan’s top rice region, offering world-class sake and famous rice crackers. It is also the home of major rice cracker brands and some of the country’s finest sake breweries.
Key products include premium Koshihikari rice, rice crackers such as Bakauke and Kameda Seika products, and clean, crisp sake made with snowmelt water.
2. Hegi Soba
Hegi soba is a signature noodle dish made with seaweed, called funori, as a binder, giving it a smooth and firm texture.
It originated from the Uonuma region of Niigata Prefecture and is served in a dish called a hegi.
3. Fermented Foods and Snow Country Traditions
Niigata’s heavy snowfall nurtured a strong fermentation culture. Examples include Echigo miso and kanzuri, a fermented chili paste.
Kanzuri is made from red chili peppers, yuzu citrus, salt, and koji. The peppers are spread on snow in winter to remove bitterness and create a mild, rich flavor.
出所：越後みその特徴 | 新潟県味噌醤油工業協同組合（JPN Site）
出所：かんずり｜にいがた観光ナビ（JPN Site）
4. Local Comfort Foods
Tare-katsu is a local Niigata specialty: thin, tender pork cutlets that are lightly breaded, deep-fried, and dipped in a sweet soy-based sauce.
Niigata-style “Italian” is a local comfort food made with stir-fried noodles similar to yakisoba, topped with a spicy tomato-based sauce.
Poppo-yaki is a traditional sweet from Niigata: soft, chewy brown-sugar cakes shaped like long sticks.
It's a very exciting race event. We are very much looking forward to seeing you at the race venue.
