How to Enter the Osaka Marathon 2027: Lottery, Fees & Overseas Registration
<strong>Entry to the Osaka Marathon 2027 is by lottery (ballot) on the official site, osaka-marathon.com — the race is on Sunday, February 28, 2027, over the full 42.195 km, from near the Osaka Prefectural Government Office to a finish inside Osaka Castle Park.</strong> There is no first-come guaranteed slot in the general field: you apply during the window, wait for the draw, and pay only if you win. Domestic runners apply through RUNNET, while overseas runners use the JTB Sports Station platform — the route that makes this one of Japan's most inbound-friendly big-city marathons.
Key facts at a glance
- Race day: Sunday, February 28, 2027
- Distance: 42.195 km (full marathon)
- Entry method: Lottery / ballot — oversubscribed most years
- Start: Near the Osaka Prefectural Government Office (Osaka Castle area)
- Finish: Osaka Castle Park (not Intex Osaka — that was the pre-2019 finish)
- Field size: 28,420 for the general field, confirmed for 2027 (unchanged from 2026), plus a 50-place Para-athlete category
- Official site: osaka-marathon.com
For the event overview, start date and course map, see our Osaka Marathon 2027 event page and keep it bookmarked for schedule updates.
Domestic vs overseas entry
The single most important thing to get right is which portal you use, because they are different:
- Domestic applicants apply via the official site through RUNNET, Japan's standard race-entry system.
- Overseas applicants register through the JTB Sports Station online platform — not RUNNET — or via travel agencies that bundle your race entry with hotel and flights. This overseas route is the key inbound angle: if you are travelling from abroad, JTB Sports Station (or an official tour package) is your path in.
If you live outside Japan, do not try to force your way through the domestic RUNNET flow. Use JTB Sports Station or a bundled agency package instead.
Fees (confirmed for 2027)
The Organizing Committee confirmed 2027 fees on July 21-22, 2026, unchanged from the 2026 edition:
| Category | Individual | Group |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic | ¥16,000 | ¥16,500 |
| Overseas | US$145 | US$150 |
The 2026 edition also charged an administrative fee (6% domestic, 11% overseas) plus a mandatory charity donation on top of the base entry — the July 2026 release didn't restate that surcharge explicitly, so budget for it and confirm the exact add-on on osaka-marathon.com when you apply. Charity Runners (a separate first-come category, cap 1,000) require a minimum donation of ¥69,000 domestic (2+ units of ¥500) or US$475 overseas (2 units of $5).
Charity and guaranteed entry
The Osaka Marathon runs a separate "Charity Runners" category. If the general lottery is the gamble, the charity category asks you to commit to a charity donation as part of your entry. If supporting a cause appeals to you, look at the charity category on osaka-marathon.com when applications open.
The 2027 timeline (confirmed)
The Osaka Marathon Organizing Committee confirmed the full 2027 entry schedule on July 21-22, 2026:
- Citizen Athletes (early window, first-come, cap 1,500): July 27, 2026, 10:00 – July 28, 2026, 17:00
- General field (individual + group, lottery, cap 28,420) and Para-athlete category (cap 50): July 28, 2026, 10:00 – August 28, 2026, 17:00
- Osaka Sports Supporter Runner (donation entry): July 28 – October 5, 2026, 17:00
- Charity Runners (first-come, cap 1,000): July 28 – October 19, 2026, 17:00
- "10K & Fun Run" (entry-linked qualifier, cap 200, first-come): race day October 25, 2026
- Main race: Sunday, February 28, 2027
The general field goes to a lottery if oversubscribed, same as prior years — and 28,420 is confirmed as the 2027 cap, unchanged from 2026. The lottery results date has not been published yet; the committee's July release covers entry windows only. Check osaka-marathon.com for the results announcement once it's confirmed — we'll update this page too.
The course
The current course starts near the Osaka Prefectural Government Office in the Osaka Castle area and finishes inside Osaka Castle Park — a scenic, spectator-friendly loop through central Osaka. Note for returning runners: the finish is no longer at Intex Osaka; that was the old pre-2019 course.
FAQ
How do you enter the Osaka Marathon 2027? By lottery on the official site, osaka-marathon.com. Domestic runners apply via RUNNET; overseas runners register through JTB Sports Station or a travel-agency package.
When is the Osaka Marathon 2027? Sunday, February 28, 2027, over the full 42.195 km.
Is it first-come or a lottery? The general field is by lottery (ballot) and is oversubscribed most years. A separate Charity Runners category offers another route to a place.
How much does it cost? As of the 2026 edition, ¥16,000 domestic / US$145 overseas for individuals, plus an admin charge (6% domestic, 11% overseas) and a mandatory charity donation. 2027 fees are still to be confirmed.
How do overseas runners register? Through the JTB Sports Station online platform, or via travel agencies that bundle entry with hotel and flights — not through the domestic RUNNET flow.
When does entry open for 2027? Confirmed: the general field (individual and group) opens July 28, 2026 at 10:00 and closes August 28, 2026 at 17:00. A separate early window for the Citizen Athletes category (cap 1,500, first-come) runs July 27 10:00 – July 28 17:00. The lottery results date has not been published yet.
Where does the race start and finish? It starts near the Osaka Prefectural Government Office (Osaka Castle area) and finishes in Osaka Castle Park.
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Racing in Japan? All eight 2026–2027 marathons, entry windows and how overseas runners get a guaranteed bib: Japan Marathons guide.
Frequently asked questions
- How do you enter the Osaka Marathon 2027?
- By lottery on the official site, osaka-marathon.com. Domestic runners apply via RUNNET; overseas runners register through JTB Sports Station or a travel-agency package that bundles entry with hotel and flights.
- When is the Osaka Marathon 2027?
- Sunday, February 28, 2027, run over the full 42.195 km.
- Is entry first-come or a lottery?
- The general field is by lottery (ballot) and is oversubscribed most years. There is also a separate Charity Runners category, which involves committing to a charity donation.
- How much does it cost to enter?
- Confirmed for 2027, unchanged from 2026: ¥16,000 domestic / US$145 overseas for individuals (¥16,500 / US$150 for groups), plus an admin charge and mandatory charity donation as in 2026 (confirm the exact add-on on osaka-marathon.com).
- How do overseas runners register?
- Through the JTB Sports Station online platform, or via travel agencies that bundle entry with hotel and flights — not through the domestic RUNNET flow.
- When does entry open for 2027?
- Confirmed: the general field (individual and group) opens July 28, 2026 at 10:00 and closes August 28, 2026 at 17:00. Citizen Athletes (cap 1,500, first-come) get an early window, July 27 10:00 - July 28 17:00. The lottery results date is not yet published.
- Where does the race start and finish?
- It starts near the Osaka Prefectural Government Office in the Osaka Castle area and finishes inside Osaka Castle Park. It no longer finishes at Intex Osaka.
- Is it worth entering as an overseas runner?
- Yes — the JTB Sports Station route and bundled tour packages make it one of Japan's most accessible big-city marathons, with a scenic central-Osaka course finishing at Osaka Castle.
