The course is built as a tour: seven zones of the city, and aid stations serving Kanazawa food rather than just water and bananas.
Overview
The Kanazawa Marathon started in 2015, the year the Hokuriku Shinkansen reached the city, and has become one of the region’s biggest sporting events. The certified course begins in front of Shiinoki Geihinkan beside Kanazawa Castle and finishes at the athletics stadium in Ishikawa Seibu Ryokuchi Park.
Its signature is the Tabemasshi Station concept, where local food culture is served on the course, and a roster of guest pace runners drawn from well-known athletes.
When and where
Race day is Sunday 25 October 2026, with the full marathon starting at 08:30 and closing at 15:30. The wave-start system used previously has been dropped in favour of a single mass start. A fun run over 0.9 km and 1.4 km starts at 09:00.
Entry ran from 10 April to 20 May 2026 for the marathon; the field is capped at 15,000, of which 1,000 places are set aside for overseas runners.
Getting there
Kanazawa is 2.5 hours from Tokyo on the Hokuriku Shinkansen. The start is a 15-minute walk or short bus ride from Kanazawa Station; shuttle buses run from the finish back to the centre. Road closures affect much of the city on race morning, so plan sightseeing for the afternoon.
What to expect
A city marathon with an unusually strong food element.
- Full marathon capped at 15,000 runners, with a 15:30 finish deadline
- A single mass start from 2026, replacing the wave-start format
- Tabemasshi Stations serving Ishikawa and Kanazawa specialities on course
- Guest pace runners supporting finishers through the field
- A route taking in seven distinct districts of the city
Tickets and admission
Paid entry for runners, applied for in spring; overseas places close as soon as they fill. Spectating is free. Kenrokuen and Kanazawa Castle Park stay open as normal, though approaches near the start are restricted in the morning.
Tips for visitors
If you are running, note the 15:30 hard close – this is not a generous cut-off for a first marathon. Book accommodation as soon as your place is confirmed; central Kanazawa fills for race weekend. Non-runners should head to Omicho Market or Higashi Chaya in the morning and let the roads reopen before crossing the city.
Access and map
| Dates | 25 October 2026, 08:30 start |
|---|---|
| Venue | Start Shiinoki Geihinkan; finish Ishikawa Seibu Ryokuchi Park, Kanazawa |
| Access | 15 minutes from Kanazawa station on foot or by bus |
| Admission | Paid entry for runners; free to spectate |
| Official site | Hot Ishikawa (Ishikawa Prefecture tourism) |
Source: Hot Ishikawa, Ishikawa Prefecture official tourism site
Image: Photo: Hirorinmasa / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
