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40th Tazawako Marathon race photo

40th Tazawako Marathon

The city you want to run becomes your next trip.

40th Tazawako Marathon race photoSemboku
JP
(Tea-making tea) 掬茶 · CC BY-SA 4.0Douglas P. Perkins · CC BY 3.0
Race date Sep expected
September 2027
City · Distance
Semboku · 42.195km · 20km · 10km +1 more events
Entry fee
42.195km1万円 20km8000円From the 2026 edition
2027Date September 2027 · expected · Soon
2026Date Sep 20, 2026 · Entry Apr 1, 2026 ~ Jun 10, 2026 · Entry fee ¥6,000 · Start 08:30
Official website ↗D-day as of Oct 11, 2026
40th Tazawako Marathon race photo
(Tea-making tea) 掬茶 · CC BY-SA 4.0
40th Tazawako Marathon race photo
Douglas P. Perkins · CC BY 3.0
About the raceRunner storiesHow to enterCourseRace PrepTravel
Why you dream of this race

THE DREAM

About 40th Tazawako Marathon — what makes it special

ABOUT THE RACE

A day you'll remember,
long past the finish line.

The race began in 1986 as Akita Prefecture's first full marathon event.

It is considered one of the toughest course among course that circle Lake Tazawa,

Japan's deepest lake, and is popular for being held relatively early among the nation's full marathon.

In recent years it has drawn around 3,000 participants from Japan and abroad.

The road to your own record

Picture the course in advance
and find the pace that fits you.

When the city cheers

Streets lined with cheers, runners all around.
You'll be part of that scene.

The trip that follows the run

Take it slow with the finish still in you,
and meet the city all over again.

40th Tazawako Marathon runner reviews and race reports

Stories from runners who've been there.

From the joy of finishing to the tough moments — read what runners wrote themselves.

Race reports: 3
StrongerRan in 2013 · Finish time 4 hours 35 minutes
“Finish time was 4 hours 35 minutes.”

The author records their experience of running the Tazawako Marathon and finishing in 4 hours 35 minutes.

Read the original on Stronger
ejrun
“Glancing at Lake Tazawa's blue waters, I decided to hold on until the Tatsuko statue.”

The car park and shuttle buses were crowded before the start. The runner wrote about holding on through the final 21 km while running around the lake, all the way to the Tatsuko statue. The runner held on at each aid station, raised their pace at the end, and crossed the finish line. The warm support from local residents and the views of the lake made a strong impression on the runner.

Quoted from the original · translated

Original quote

田沢湖ブルーを横目にたつこ像までは頑張ろうと何とか粘ることを決意。

Read the original on アメブロ「諦めなければ夢は叶う」
足音ランナー
“Tazawako blue. This was the color of Japan's deepest lake.”

The runner enjoyed the blue waters of Lake Tazawa and the shade of the trees along the way, but wrote that their legs were badly worn out by the steep climbs and descents in the back half. They fought through the course's ups and downs, crossed the line confident they'd broken four hours, and picked up rice balls and pork soup afterward.

Quoted from the original · translated

Original quote

田沢湖ブルー。日本一深い湖はこんな色をしてるんだね。

Read the original on アメブロ「足音」

We translated a short line from each public race report and summarized the experience. Finish times are as stated by the author, and past editions may differ from this year's weather and operations.

See it on video,
feel it through their stories.

Preview the course and read what runners who went before you wrote.

Finisher vlog

もーりーちゃんねる · Finisher vlog

View on YouTube

This may be from a past edition. Check the organizer for this year's course and operations.

The way in that fits you

YOUR ENTRY

How to enter 40th Tazawako Marathon — registration routes

How to reach the start line —
start with what fits you.

Here are the ways to enter and what each requires.
Check the organizer's page for whether entries are open.

From the 2026 edition

We'll fill this in once the official entry rules are out.

Registration platform RUNNET

Official race websiteEntry options
From the start line to the finish

RACE WEEK

40th Tazawako Marathon course map and elevation

Your 42.195km

Know the course and time limit, and race day comes into focus.

From the 2026 edition
Runners start · local timeFrom 08:30
Time limit6 hours
Show more

6 hours, cut-off point 3 hours at 22km point, 4 hours 30 minutes at 32km point / 2 hours (estimate) / turnaround point 9:20 (20 minutes after start)

42.195km 10,000 yen 20km 8,000 yen 10km 6,000 yen Pair (1 group) 5,000 yen *If you enter the day before, there will be an additional 1,000 yen for each event.

START

Lake Tazawa (marathon special venue), Katajiri

10km

Start · Google Maps
FINISH

Lake Tazawa

marathon special venue

Cutoff
Cut-off point 22km location 3 time, 32km location 4 time 30 minutes

Show more

Runners start · local time — (42.195km) / 09:00(20km) / 09:00(10km) / 09:00(3km)

The event began in 1986 as the first full marathon in Akita Prefecture.

As one of Japan's major full marathon, it takes place relatively early in the season and has attracted runners from Japan and overseas.

In 2025, there were 3,003 participants in total: 996 in the full marathon, 938 in the 20km, 724 in the 10km and 345 in the 3km pair event.

The 42.195km and 20km are officially certified course.

Course follows a route around Lake Tazawa, known as Japan's deepest lake, before returning to finish.

It is considered a course with a high level of difficulty even in Japan.

Full marathon must pass in front of Hanagokorotei Shirahama, the 22km mark, within 3 hours of the start,

and pass in front of Tazawako Rose Park Hotel, the 32km mark, within 4 hours 30 minutes.

The full marathon time limit is 6 hours.

Field size
42.195km 1600 people, 20km 2000 people, 10km 1600 people, 350 pairs *Applications accepted the day before (13:30-17:00, first come first served, 30 people each, 15 pairs)

Participant benefits

Not yet confirmed in the official race guide

From the most recent edition

Event T-shirt 2026

Timing chip 2026

Finisher certificate 2026

Bag drop 2026

This may change for the next edition.

Where and when to collect your 40th Tazawako Marathon race bib

To the start line,
step by step.

Pick up your bib, check your wave.
So on race morning, you can just run.

From the 2026 edition

Pick up your bib at the expo

🔴 Bibs are mailed in advance, so the former on-site check-in has been discontinued.
However, **advance mailing is not available to applicants residing overseas**, so collection must be confirmed on site.
Collect the commemorative item using the enclosed exchange voucher; collection the day before is recommended.

Domestic participants: no on-site registration

bibs are mailed in advance / commemorative items: exchange counter at the marathon special venue

Google Maps
Souvenir exchange — 9/19 (Sat)
13:30~17:00
9/20 Sun
06:30~15:00

Stations & transport near the venue

Source · checked Aug 24, 2026

More details

Getting to the start

田沢湖駅 (Tazawako Station, Akita Shinkansen/Tazawako Line)

Official site: nearest station is Tazawako Station on the Akita Shinkansen (Tazawako Line). Start/finish area is at the east shore of Lake Tazawa, with parking limited during the event.

Well-documented station/shuttle access per official site.

Map

Getting to the finish

田沢湖駅 (Tazawako Station)

Same venue area as start (east shore of Lake Tazawa).

Map

Start shuttle

Official site: free shuttle buses run race day from Tazawako Station to the venue at 6:20, 6:30, 6:55, 7:00, and 7:30. Additional shuttle pickup points: Nyuto Onsen (departs 6:10), Kogen Onsen (departs 6:30), and Tazawako Lake Resort parking lot. Return shuttles run hourly (10:00-16:00).

Transit card

Semboku is a rural Akita area served by JR East's Tazawako Line and Akita Shinkansen; Suica/IC card tap-in-tap-out coverage in this part of Akita Prefecture is limited or unavailable at smaller stations, so paper tickets are the safer bet. There is no dedicated local transit card, and cash is widely accepted for buses and taxis to the venue.

Source · checked Aug 24, 2026
READY TO RUN

From race morning to after the finish.

Your start time, fuel and bag drop.
Know them ahead and the run feels easier.

The race on 19 September requires preparation for hot conditions.

If the WBGT before the start reaches 28~31, indicating a severe-heat caution level, the event may be cancelled.

Prepare breathable clothing and a plan for fluid and electrolyte intake in hot conditions.

Bananas, lemons, sports drinks and barley tea are available at the venue,

but if you're running the full marathon, decide in advance whether to bring the supplies you normally use.

Overseas participants do not receive bib by mail in advance, so you must visit race headquarters on the day before or on race day.

Unlike domestic participants, you do not arrive at the start with bib already prepared.

Allow plenty of time to travel from your accommodation to the venue, and bring your passport and any other documents needed to confirm your application.

A changing room is available inside the temporary venue, but space is limited, so it is more practical to travel in clothing suitable for the start.

Times are local to Semboku. Check the latest official information before the race.

A trip built around the race

STAY A LITTLE

MAKE IT A RUNTRIP

The race is one day,
the trip can be longer.

From a hotel that makes race morning easy,
to the meals and views you'll enjoy with the medal on.

Hotels that make race morning easyDistances are straight-line from the start.View on mapEating well is part of the tripA meal before the race, a dinner to celebrate the finish.View on mapSeeing Semboku with the medal onThe city you ran — this time, a little slower.View on map

Total cost and budget for 40th Tazawako Marathon

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Trip prep too,
light and in one place.

ChecklistLocal eSIM · Trip.comFlight delay or cancellation compensation · AirHelpPace calculator

Once saved, you can open this page without an internet connection

Runner stories and questions about 40th Tazawako Marathon

RUN TOGETHER

With runners who dream of
the same start line.

Be the first runner
Leave this room's first post

Semboku runners' room

Frequently asked questions about 40th Tazawako Marathon

FAQ
When does 40th Tazawako Marathon 2027 take place?

Not officially announced yet.

It's expected in September 2027;

the 2026 race was held on Sun, September 20, 2026.

When does registration for 40th Tazawako Marathon 2027 open?

Not announced yet. Entries for the 2026 race opened on Wed, April 1, 2026.

How much is the 40th Tazawako Marathon 2027 entry fee?

Not announced yet. The 2026 race entry fee was about ¥6,000.

What distances does 40th Tazawako Marathon 2027 offer?

Marathon · 10K. (From the 2026 edition)

Where does 40th Tazawako Marathon 2027 start?

Lake Tazawa (marathon special venue), Katajiri. (From the 2026 edition)

Where does 40th Tazawako Marathon 2027 finish?

Lake Tazawa (marathon special venue). (From the 2026 edition)

What are the 40th Tazawako Marathon 2027 cutoff times?

Cut-off point 22km location 3 time, 32km location 4 time 30 minutes.

(From the 2026 edition)

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