World Heritage Himeji Castle Marathon 2026

Date of event Sun Feb 22 2026
Location of event HIMEJI City
Category
  • Running
Official website WORLD HERITAGE HIMEJI CASTLE MARATHON 2026
Hotel Booking Hotelmap.com
Official SNS

Entry

Application method First come, first served
You can enjoy running through the historic castle town while viewing the world heritage site of Himeji Castle.
The course has few ups and downs, so it is highly recommended for those aiming for a record or running with the goal of finishing.
Date of event Sun Feb 22 2026
Course and Time

The course is starting from Otemae-dori Street and finishing at San-no-Maru Plaza of Himeji Castle. (42.195 km certified by the JAAF (Japan Association of Athletics Federations))

Start (simultaneous start) : 9:00 a.m. at  Otemae-dori Street
Finish : 3:00 p.m. at  San-no-Maru Plaza, Himeji Castle

Starting lines ◆Regardless of whether the runner is registered with the JAAF or not, the start corral will be designated according to the time declared upon application.
◆When lineup time is reached, please line up in the designated corral in the order of arrival.
Eligibility Those born before April 1, 2007

◆Registration Category :  Athletes registered with the JAAF in 2025
◆General Category : Unregistered athletes of the Japan Association of Athletics Federations

※ For individuals with disabilities (holding a Physical Disability Certificate or Special Education Certificate, etc.), if running alone is difficult, they are generally allowed to have one accompanying person. If you wish to change the accompanying person during the race, please contact the event office by phone after your participation is confirmed. (Accompaniment by guide dogs is not permitted. Please arrange your own accompanying person.)
※ Due to narrow sections and elevation differences along the course, participation with a wheelchair is not possible.
Runner Reception (1) Date and Time : Saturday, February 21, 2026    10:30 am - 8:00 pm  ( last entrance at 7: 30 pm )
(2) Location : Egret Himeji ( address: 68-290 Honmachi, Himeji City )
※The participation information, athlete bib exchange slips, etc. will be downloaded from My Page or sent by e-mail from late January to early February (tentative).
※Runners must register to enter the race. Please note that registration will NOT be held on the day of the race Sunday, February 22.
※Your identity will be verified at reception via identification documents.(Original of passport, Certificate of Eligibility or photo ID is accepted).
※At the time of reception, the applicant's identity will be verified with identification documents (Only original passport, Certificate of Eligibility or photo ID is accepted).
※Registration by proxy is not allowed.
※Runners do not need to be accompanied by a companion runner at the registration desk, but a registration form for the companion runner will be sent in advance for them to submit.
Participation Award ◆Original T-shirt 
※Size cannot be changed after application.
◆Free admission ticket to Himeji Castle 
※Valid from the day before the event until the end of February 2027. Valid only once per person.
Awards 1) Overall: 1st to 8th place each male and female 
2) Age group: 1st to 3rd place each male and female 
(29 and under, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s) 
3) Finishers over 80 years old (awards will be given regardless of rank) 
※Awards will be given based on gross time.
※② excludes those eligible for ①.
※Awards ceremony for ② and ③ will not be held (certificates will be mailed at a later date).
Finisher's Certificate and Prize Finishers' certificates will be issued on the web.
※Only those who finish the race within the time limit will receive a certificate. 
※Authorized record certificate will be issued for a fee (500 yen) (for registered runners only).
Finishers will receive a finisher's medal and finisher's towel.
Emergency handling In the event of an accident, fire, or other emergency during the race, runners may be asked to stop running by staff members, and emergency vehicles and race vehicles (including bicycles) may pass alongside the runners.
Personal Information The organizer will handle personal information in accordance with the organizer's personal information protection policy and in compliance with the Law Concerning the Protection of Personal Information and related laws and regulations. The information will be used for the purpose of improving services to participants in the event, including lottery, participation information, athlete bibs, records, notification of related information, provision of services from the event sponsors, cooperating and related organizations, first aid during the event, and announcement of records (rankings, etc.).
The organizer or contractor may contact the participants for confirmation as necessary for the operation of the event.
Others (1) An additional JSS system fee will be charged for the entry.
(2) All participants are requested to train sufficiently and take all possible precautions to ensure their physical condition, such as undergoing a medical checkup prior to participating in the event.
(3) In the marathon division, registered competitors are not allowed to use shoes that do not conform to TR5.2 (shoe sole thickness: up to 40 mm) of the competition rules. In addition, registered competitors who achieve the following records in the race may have their shoes measured after the race. (Men within 2:21:00, Women within 2:56:00)
(4) The area around Himeji Castle, Otemae-dori Street, and the area around Himeji Station North Station Square are designated by city ordinance as a street smoking ban area and a beautification enhancement area, and any person smoking on the street (except at ashtray locations) within these areas will be subject to a fine of 1,000 yen. A fine of up to 20,000 yen will also be imposed for “littering” empty cans or garbage.
(5) Only runners and management officials are allowed to pass through the Sakura-mon Bridge and Otemon Gate, as they are used as running paths.
(6) This event will be held in compliance with all applicable laws in Japan and in accordance with the event regulations as well as the application rules.
Entry Office JTB Sports Station
Email address jtbss@jtb.com