The course starts in front of a surviving Edo-period castle keep, turns towards the Pacific that Sakamoto Ryoma looked out on, and ends with a plate of seared bonito.
Overview
The Kochi Ryoma Marathon is the prefecture’s flagship road race and a regular on Japan’s list of 100 recommended running events. Its appeal is less about a fast time than about what surrounds the run: coastal views, the Niyodo River valley, and roadside support that includes yosakoi dance troupes and tables of local food.
The 2027 edition is the thirteenth, run under the Tosa-dialect slogan kojanto wakuwaku saseru kine – roughly, we are going to get you seriously excited.
When and where
Race day is Sunday 21 February 2027. The event is traditionally held on the third Sunday of February. General entry opened on 1 August 2026 and runs to 31 October 2026, or until the field fills – places are allocated first come, first served rather than by lottery, and recent editions have closed early.
Start area: Kochi Castle, in the centre of the city.
Getting there
Kochi Ryoma Airport is about 30 minutes from the city centre by bus. From Okayama, the Nanpu limited express reaches Kochi in around two and a half hours. The start and the city-centre hotels are close enough to walk between, which is a real advantage on a February morning.
Book accommodation as soon as your entry is confirmed; central Kochi has a limited number of rooms and they go quickly for race weekend.
What to expect
Beyond the marathon itself there is a fun run and a pair relay, and a set of related events over the weekend.
- Full marathon starting at Kochi Castle, with the Pacific coast and the Niyodo River on the route
- Fun run and pair relay categories for shorter distances
- Aid stations stocked with Kochi produce, and katsuo no tataki seared bonito at the finish
- Yosakoi dance performances and continuous crowd support along the road
- A participation T-shirt for every entrant, plus online running seminars in the build-up
Tickets and admission
Entry is paid and made in advance through the official race site; there is no on-the-day registration. Spectating is free and needs no ticket. Road closures affect central Kochi for much of the morning, so plan city sightseeing for the afternoon.
Tips for visitors
If you want a place, enter early rather than close to the deadline – the 2027 field was filling more than two weeks ahead of the previous year’s pace. February in Kochi is mild by Japanese standards but the coastal wind is real, so pack a throwaway layer for the start pen. Stay an extra night and spend Monday at Katsurahama and the Sunday market, which runs on Ote-suji in the city centre.
Access and map
| Dates | 21 February 2027 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Start at Kochi Castle, Kochi City |
| Access | Kochi Ryoma Airport 30 min by bus; Nanpu express from Okayama |
| Admission | Paid entry for runners (1 August-31 October 2026); free to watch |
| Official site | Kochi Ryoma Marathon 2027 |
Source: Kochi Ryoma Marathon 2027 official site
Image: Photo: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.5
