Naha Marathon 2026

The 40th NAHA Marathon takes place Sunday, December 6, 2026, with the gun going off at 9:00 a.m. from Onoyama Park in Naha, Okinawa. Runners finish by 3:15 p.m. at Onoyama Stadium, a short walk away, after a 42.195 km loop through five municipalities in southern Okinawa. General entry opened July 1, 2026 and is first-come, first-served up to the 30,000-runner cap — here's what to know, whether you're racing or watching.

What it is

Known by its tagline "太陽と海とジョガーの祭典" — the Sun, Sea, and Joggers' Festival — the NAHA Marathon is the largest citizen marathon in Japan west of the Chugoku and Shikoku regions. It launched in 1985 to mark the 25th anniversary of Naha's sister-city relationship with Honolulu, modeled directly on the Honolulu Marathon (which also runs in December). What began with 4,503 runners has grown into a 30,000-strong field, and the race has held official Japan Association of Athletics Federations (JAAF) certification since its 28th edition in 2012.

2026 marks the milestone 40th running. The NAHA Marathon Association is chaired by Naha Mayor Satoru Chinen, who called it "a landmark 40th edition" and pledged a safe, celebratory race for participants.

Quick facts (confirmed on the official site, as of July 2026)

• Date: Sunday, December 6, 2026
• Start: 9:00 a.m., Onoyama Park, Naha
• Finish: by 3:15 p.m., Onoyama Stadium
• Distance: 42.195 km, JAAF-certified "Peace Memorial Park Course"
• Route: through Naha, Haebaru, Yaese, Itoman and Tomigusuku — five municipalities in southern Okinawa
• Time limit: 6 hours 15 minutes
• Capacity: approximately 30,000 runners, including a Furusato Nozei (hometown-tax) framework and guaranteed slots for the 14 runners who have completed all 39 previous editions
• Entry fee: ¥11,000 for general entrants; ¥9,000 for participants aged 65+ or 18 and under

The course

The route centers on Heiwa Kinen Koen (Peace Memorial Park) in Itoman — the site commemorating the Battle of Okinawa — which sits roughly at the course's midpoint. From there the marathon threads through Haebaru, Yaese and Tomigusuku before returning to Naha, giving runners a tour of the island's southern coastline alongside its most significant historical ground, a combination that sets NAHA apart from Japan's other big-city marathons.

Entry — how to sign up

General entry runs through Sports Entry and opened at 9:00 a.m. on July 1, 2026; it stays open until the field fills, so applying early matters. A separate Furusato Nozei (hometown-tax donation) entry route, offering roughly 2,500 of the 30,000 slots, ran June 8–30, 2026 and is now closed. Fees rose ¥1,200 from the previous edition to ¥11,000 (general) and ¥9,000 (65+ / under 18); the fee covers your bib, a commemorative finisher T-shirt, race insurance and on-course safety support. Finishers within the 6-hour-15-minute cutoff receive a finisher's medal and a certificate.

Getting there and watching for free

Both the start (Onoyama Park) and finish (Onoyama Stadium) sit about a 1-minute walk from Tsubogawa Station or Onoyama-koen Station on the Okinawa Urban Monorail (Yui Rail) — the easiest way in from central Naha, and just 3 stops from Naha Airport Station. Spectating along the entire 42.195 km route is free, and the Peace Memorial Park stretch and the Onoyama Stadium finish straight are the two liveliest spots to cheer.

Practical tips

Book Naha accommodation early — hotel rooms fill up fast around race weekend, one of Okinawa's biggest annual sporting draws. December in Okinawa is mild (typically mid-teens to low-20s °C), but bring layers for the early-morning start. If you're not running, arrive at your viewing spot well before the 9:00 a.m. gun, since roads along the course close to traffic that morning.

All details above are drawn from the official NAHA Marathon site and Okinawa Times as of July 2026 — always confirm the latest entry status and course map at naha-marathon.jp before you travel.

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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.