Tokyo Marathon

2020 WAITLIST

Tokyo Marathon 2019

3rd March 2019

Duration: 4 Nights Distance: Marathon

The Tokyo Marathon is one of the six World Marathon Majors – a marvelous marathon in an exciting city. The marathon course winds through Tokyo’s central districts and takes in many of the city’s major sights.

It is a hugely popular and superbly organised international event, with the total number of runners capped at 35,500. Over 300,000 runners applied to run this year so it is a massively over-subscribed event.

However, as the official Irish International Travel Partner for the Tokyo Marathon, we have an allocation of Guaranteed Entries and can therefore offer you guaranteed entry as part of a tour package.

Bookings for 2019 are now closed. Please sign up for notifications of next years' event!

DETAILS
Please note our 2019 Tokyo Marathon tours have now sold out. For information about the 2019 Tokyo Marathon, please sign up to our waitlist. In the meantime, why not take a look at our range of other upcoming exciting marathon around the world here >

Running is a revered sport in Japan where it has a long and proud tradition. Japan’s Naoko Takahashi won the Olympic Marathon in Sydney in 2000 and became the first ever woman to break the 2:20 barrier when she clocked 2:19.46 in Berlin in 2001.

Marathon Information

The Marathon begins in front of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building and from there heads through the heart of the city past various landmarks and Tokyo Station before finishing at the Imperial Palace.

Start Time is 9.10 am on Sunday 3 March 2019. Time limit is 7 hours – gun time, not chip time. Slow runners must pass stages of the race within certain times. Details of these checkpoints are available on request. You should be capable of completing the course in less than 6 hours 30 minutes net time to allow for any delay at the start if you are in the last corral. The minimum age on the day is 19 years.

The official course map for 2019 can be found HERE

Tour Package Includes:
- Guaranteed Marathon Race Entry
- 4 nights accommodation at the 4**** New Otani Hotel on twin/ double / single / triple basis
- Full Breakfast daily
- Entry to Tokyo Marathon Friendship Run 2019 (5km)
- Shuttle Coach to Race Start and back from Marathon Finish Line between 1-5 pm
- All Taxes and Charges
- Guide Services Feb 28 – Mar 4
- Security of a fully licensed and bonded travel agency
Also Available:
- Travel insurance
- Half day city tour of Tokyo (See itinerary for full details)
- Full day trip to Odawara, Kanagawa (See itinerary for full details)
- Post Marathon party (See itinerary for full details)
- Official Race Jacket
The Sports Travel International team will be on hand to assist you throughout your stay. We have been coming to Tokyo for the Marathon for a good few years now so we are very well placed to ensure that you make the most of your experience in Tokyo.

Our hotel is in the Akasaka district of central Tokyo, a short distance from the Imperial Palace and the Marathon Finish Line. Superb daily breakfast (both Western-style and Japanese) is included in your tour package, with early breakfast arranged on Race Day because of the early race start.

As an alternative to paying your own way for this tour, you also have the option of fundraising for one of our nominated charities and travelling FREE. Details are available on request.

Flights:

This is an Accommodation & Guaranteed Entry package so flights are not included. You should book your flights to arrive in Tokyo on Thursday 28 February. This generally means departing Ireland on Wednesday 27 Feb.

DO NOT book flights until we confirm your place on the tour!

TESTIMONIALS

"It was outstanding"

I would like to extend my thanks to Sports Travel as well as Martin for the excellent organization and wonderful experiences in Tokyo . It was outstanding.

Michael, Belfast -

"A big thank you"

Tokyo was an experience I will never forget. It was mind-blowing. A big thank you to Martin for his guidance and steering us around Tokyo. Never could have done this on our own.

Paula, Downpatrick -

"I loved every minute"

I loved every minute of Tokyo and Martin was fantastic. Very impressed with the organisation.

Veronica, Dublin -

"thank you so much"

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you so much for a wonderful trip & for all your help and attention to detail. I look forward to booking with you again in the near future.

Fiona, Donegal -

"such great memories"

I’ve such great memories from the trip and as learned something new every day. Martin, thanks for your patience and arranging the tours, etc. To those who completed their 6 majors, take a bow and to everyone else, let’s keep going. Our day will come too.

Patricia, Cork -

"Thanks to everyone"

Thanks to everyone in the group for making Tokyo such an amazing and enjoyable experience, memories to last for a life. Special thanks to you Martin for all your hard work in keeping everything going like clockwork each day. Top marks as always.

Dermot, Co Westmeath -

"wonderful memories made with so many great people"

I will take away from this trip some wonderful memories made with so many great people during a truly wonderful experience. Martin, your enthusiasm, positivity and drive are so infectious and you have been a wonderful host.

Robert, Newtownabbey -

"a pleasure"

It was a pleasure to be part of the Sports Travel Tokyo 2018 team.

Klemen, Slovenia -

"Thanks for everything"

Thanks for everything Martin. Well organised as usual. Looking forward to my next tour.

Denis, Donegal -

"Fantastic"

What a fantastic few days!

Natasha, Dublin -

"Thanks everyone"

Thanks everyone. Had a great time. Martin, thank you very much. You made it all possible.

Damien, Co Down -

"Great organisation"

Martin, thank you for the great organisation. Hope to see you soon.

Seda & Secil, Turkey -

"Many Thanks"

Many thanks to Martin for minding us so well throughout. Mayo football will have its day!

Ger, Co Meath -

"Great Weekend"

It’s been a great weekend with wonderful companions and perfect organisation.

Jacek, Dublin -
ITINERARY
4 night / 5 day full tour package including hotel with daily breakfast, guaranteed marathon entry, friendship run entry and guide services:

Thursday 28 February 2019 – Arrival in Tokyo

Arrive in Tokyo today for the start of your tour. Meet tour leader Martin Joyce and other tour participants.

The Tokyo Marathon Expo 2019 will take place on the following days when you pick up your bib number for the marathon:
- Thurs February 28
- Fri March 1
- Sat March 2
Friday 1 March 2019 – Half Day City Tour (optional tour)

Departs from the Hotel at 10am

This is a three and a half hour tour, with an excellent Japanese English-speaking guide. The tour takes in all the main sights in Tokyo, including the beautiful Meiji Jingu Shrine in a magnificent park, panoramic views from the top of Tokyo Tower and a visit to the 7^th century Asakusa Kannon Buddhist Temple and colourful Nakamise shopping street.

Pick-up is from The New Otani Hotel and drop off is at 13.30pm at the Marathon Expo for race registration.

Cost €49 (based on minimum 31). We recommend this city tour as part of your Tokyo experience. It is also very convenient for getting to Race Registration and the Expo.

Saturday 2 March 2019 – Tokyo Marathon Friendship Run 2019

The Tokyo Marathon Friendship Run 2019 entry is included for our Tokyo Marathon runners. Non-marathon runners on the tour can participate for an additional cost of only €15, which includes a special t-shirt.

The Friendship run will start at 10:45am. Full course details will be confirmed in due course. The distance is approximately 5km. If you wish to take part, please select this as an optional extra.

We strongly recommend you participate, it is a very special atmosphere and experience.

Sunday 3 March 2019 – Tokyo Marathon 2019 Race Day

An early breakfast will be available at the hotel this morning, with the time to be confirmed within your travel itinerary.

Marathon Times:

09.05am – Wheelchair Start
09.10am – Marathon Start
16.10pm – Finish

You can hand in a personal bag at the start of the race and pick it up at the finish area.

Sunday 3 March 2019 – Tokyo Marathon 2019 After Run Party

19:00 – 21:30 | Cost: €170

Celebrate with runners from all over the world. The cost includes return shuttle bus, food, drink, live music and Japanese dance show, plus World Marathon Major completer ceremony. Yes, it is expensive, but in our opinion this is by far the best post-marathon party of any marathon in the world, bar none. It has an incredible buzz and the music, food, drink and entertainment are all first-class. It is the perfect end to a memorable marathon day.

The After Run Party takes place at the historic and beautiful Happo-En Mansion at 1-1-1 Shiroganadei, Minato-ku.

The shuttle bus to the venue leaves the hotel at 18:30 and leaves Happo-En just after 21:30.

Monday 4 March 2019 – Departure day

Today we offer a unique day trip to Odawara in the Kanagawa prefecture.

Full day trip to Odawara, Kanagawa

Odawara is a typical Japanese town 100km from Tokyo with a unique history. It has one of Japan’s most iconic Zen Buddhist monasteries, dating back to the 14^th century. The monastery is a sacred site hidden in a forest at Daiyuzan nearby where the cedar trees have grown undisturbed for 500 years. The very impressive and beautiful temple complex is unspoilt and completely off the tourist trail. It is a real must-see.

We then go to a magnificent outdoor natural hot springs Spa, experiencing the famous Japanese onsen and giving the body an invigorating and muscle-relaxing refresher the day after the marathon. The hot water, rich in organic nutrients, comes straight from the Hakone Mountains. This is followed by a wonderful fresh Japanese lunch.

After the Spa and lunch we visit Odawara Castle, dressing up in traditional Samurai and Ninja costumes, male and female, which is great fun and makes for fantastic photo opportunities.

You also get to travel on a bullet train – twice, with speeds of up to 320 km per hour!

Since 2015 this day trip has been the highlight for many runners and companions on the tour (apart from the marathon itself!). We cannot recommend it highly enough.

Included are:
- Transport by private bus from hotel to Tokyo Train Station
- Bullet train from Tokyo Station to Odawara
- Coach for the day with local English-speaking guide
- Donation at Monastery and entrance fee to Spa
- Excellent Japanese Lunch (drink included)
- Cost of Costume Hire at Odawara Castle
- Bullet train to Narita or Haneda Airport for late flight home, or return train to Tokyo Station for those extending their stay.
The cost is €238 including all of the above if you are returning to Narita or Haneda Airport.

The cost is reduced to €215 if you are returning to Tokyo Station.

Numbers on this trip are limited to 45.

To see some photos from Odawara and our previous Tokyo Marathon tours visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/SportsTravelInt See also the comments on Tokyo from previous participants on our website.
HOTELS & PRICING
New Otani

The New Otani Hotel is in the ideal location to explore the sights of Tokyo and is close to the Marathon route. We offer a shuttle bus service to the Start and back from the...

Tour Prices

Runner Non-Runner

Hotel New Otani Tokyo

Twin or Double Sharing €1,926 €1,437

Single Room €2,462 €1,973

Triple Share * €1,896 €1,407

* Triple rooms for 3 person bookings only

Extra Night Rates:

Price per person

Hotel New Otani Tokyo

Twin or Double Sharing €152

Single Room €245

Triple Share * €144

* Triple rooms for 3 person bookings only

Extra Trips and Activities :

Travel Insurance (For Residents of Ireland and NI only) : €49

Half Day City Tour: €49

Full Day trip to Odawara, Kanagawa:

Returning to Narita or Haneda: €238 / Returning to Tokyo Station: €215

Official Race Jacket: €88

Post-Marathon after run party: €170

Tour booking deposit schedule:

Deposit €450 per runner / €250 per non-runner at time of booking

Second deposit of €500 per person due by 22 September.

All balances due by 7th December.
Tokyo Marathon Hotels
New Otani

The New Otani Hotel is in the ideal location to explore the sights of Tokyo and is close to the Marathon route. We offer a shuttle bus service to the Start and back from the Finish Line as part of your tour.

The hotel is only minutes away from the most popular shopping and entertainment spots – just a 5 minute subway ride to Ginza, the main shopping area, and a 10 minute ride to Shinjuku, one of Tokyo’s two main stations, from where you can go anywhere.

Facilities include a sauna, spa, business centre, beauty salon, hairdresser and cash dispenser, plus a choice of many restaurants and a magnificent and historic Japanese garden. The well-appointed bedrooms include a flat screen TV with satellite channels and a minibar.

Hotel Price

Hotel Facilities:

Post Office & ATM

Free wireless and wired internet

400 year old Japanese garden.

Rose Garden

Spa

Seiseian

Patisserie

Room Amenities:

Flat-screen TV that receives digital terrestrial broadcasting

Individual air-conditioning in each room

En-suite shower and toilet

Dual line telephones / Voicemail

Alarm clock

In-room safe

Refrigerator / Mini bar

Japanese “YUKATA” robes / Bathrobes

Hairdryer

Towels
IMPORTANT INFO

Travel Insurance

For details of our travel packages, please visit our insurance page. If you have your own travel insurance for this trip, you must ensure that your policy covers you to participate in running events. We also recommend it includes cover for travel disruption.

General, visa, passport and health information

Passport

Check the date of validity of your passport well in advance of travel and renew if necessary.

www.dfa.ie/passports

https://www.gov.uk/browse/citizenship/passports

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFA) issues travel advice on destinations, which includes information on passports, visas, health, safety and security and more. For all information relating to Japan, please click HERE.
GALLERY
VIDEOS
ASK A QUESTION

Previous Question

Q. Do you send me my information by mail or email?

A.
Runners will receive their race pack directly from Tokyo in due course. Sports Travel will email an itinerary and final tour instructions before departure.

Q. I am a single traveller, is this event for me?

A.
Yes, absolutely. We offer single room or twin share room options, and our guides are on hand to assist you and introduce you to other runners on the tour.

Q. Can I bring family and friends on the trip?

A.
Yes, we welcome non-running companions. Our guides will accompany non runners to a suitable viewing point to watch the marathon. Non-marathon runners can participate in the Friendship Run if they wish.

Ask a Question

Please note that your email address will be passed to our Enquiries Department, and your details will not be used for any other purpose. See our Privacy Policy for further details.

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	Runner	Non-Runner
Hotel New Otani Tokyo
Twin or Double Sharing	€1,926	€1,437
Single Room	€2,462	€1,973
Triple Share *	€1,896	€1,407

	Price per person
Hotel New Otani Tokyo
Twin or Double Sharing	€152
Single Room	€245
Triple Share *	€144

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