A Major City Marathon with Easy Access from Tokyo

Saitama Marathon is a major city marathon with a field of up to 14,000 runners, and it is incredibly easy to reach from central Tokyo. Saitama-Shintoshin Station, the nearest station to the race venue, is about 30 minutes by JR train from central Tokyo.

With such convenient access, it is an ideal full marathon for international visitors looking to add a race to their Tokyo trip without the hassle of extensive travel.

Start and Finish at Saitama Super Arena!

The start and finish area is located around GMO Arena Saitama (Saitama Super Arena), one of Japan’s largest and most iconic indoor arenas, which has hosted performances by many world-famous musicians.

Starting and finishing at such a spectacular venue gives the race an impressive sense of scale. The lively, festive atmosphere is sure to get you excited before the race—and make your finish even more memorable!

Experience Nature in a Major City

One of the highlights of the Saitama Marathon is that it is much more than a typical urban race. The scenery changes as you run from the city streets of Omiya and Urawa to the natural surroundings of Minuma.

You’ll encounter the peaceful rural landscape of the expansive Minuma rice fields, where on a clear day you may even catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji, along with waterways, wooded areas, and other tranquil scenery reminiscent of the Japanese countryside.

The course also takes you past the area around Saitama Stadium 2002, a huge stadium that hosts Japan national soccer team matches, as well as Urawa Komaba Stadium, offering plenty of visual highlights along the way.

Race ambassador Naoko Takahashi, the Sydney Olympic marathon gold medalist, describes the course as one that “takes you through the streets of Omiya and Urawa and the natural landscapes of Minuma.”

Unlike the tourist spots of Tokyo or Kyoto, this course lets you feel the everyday life of Japan — residential neighborhoods, shopping streets, local people, and rural scenery.

A Mostly Flat, Runner-Friendly Course

Although there are some gentle ups and downs, the course is generally flat, making it easy to maintain a steady pace. There are also long, straight stretches around Saitama Stadium 2002.

This makes the race a great choice both for runners aiming for a personal best and for those taking on their first full marathon.

True to the event’s concept of “Everyone Can Participate,” the race also offers family and fun-run events. With enthusiastic support from spectators along the course, the marathon has a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Aid stations are well supplied with drinks and food at approximately every 5 km.

Enjoy photogenic sightseeing spots too

Before or after the race, take time to explore some of Saitama’s photogenic sights and attractions, including Hikawa Shrine and its beautiful approach, the Railway Museum, and Omiya Bonsai Village, all offering a taste of traditional Japanese culture.

Just a short trip from Tokyo, Saitama Marathon combines the convenience and excitement of a major city marathon with distinctly Japanese scenery—from Mt. Fuji and impressive stadiums to peaceful rice fields and rural landscapes.

This is a highly recommended race for international runners, offering the convenience and excitement of an urban marathon close to Tokyo, combined with distinctly Japanese scenery including Mt. Fuji, stadiums, and rural landscapes!