Annual Marathon event in Kobe

As part of our resources for visitors to Kobe, we present this guide to the Kobe Marathon.

Kobe Marathon

– Overview of Kobe Marathon
– When is the Kobe Marathon Each Year?
– What is the Deadline to Apply for the Kobe Marathon?
– How Much Does it Cost to Participate in the Kobe Marathon
– Starting Point for the Kobe Marathon Course
– How Do We Get to Kobe Marathon
– Who attends the Kobe Marathon
– What is the History of Kobe Marathon
– Events and Activities at Kobe Marathon
– Other Marathon Events in Japan

More detail below.

Overview of Kobe Marathon

Event Name: Kobe Marathon
Usual Date: Mid-November
Location: Starts at Kobe City Hall and finishes at Harborland
Race Types: 26.2 miles (42.195 kilometers) & a relay marathon with two people
Website: https://kobe-marathon.net/2025/

The Kobe Marathon is a popular marathon event in Kobe City that has been held since 2011. Today, there are more than 20,000 people joining the Kobe marathon. The race is free to watch, but participants are charged an entrance fee. Part of the fees generated by the race are donated to local and international charities related to emergency/disaster relief.

Runners must complete the race within seven hours. It is said that the Kobe Marathon course is relatively flat, making it easier for runners to complete the race.

Runners can choose between two types of races: an individual full marathon or a relay marathon. The full marathon follows the standard distance of 26.2 miles, while the relay marathon allows two runners to form a team, with each runner completing around 13.1 miles.

When is the Kobe Marathon Each Year?

The marathon in Kobe is held in November, making it one of the last marathons in Japan each year. The event is usually held in the middle of November.

For 2026, the Kobe marathon will be held in November 15. For 2025 it was held on November 16. In 2024, the event was held on November 17.

While the date of the event is mid-November, if you would like to participate in the event, the registration deadline for the Kobe Marathon is much earlier, usually in Apr of the same year.

What is the Deadline to Apply for the Kobe Marathon?

The Kobe Marathon is usually held in November, but the application deadline is several months before the event. Application form typically opens around mid of April and closes at beginning of June. Participants are confirmed in the beginning of July.

For 2026, the Kobe marathon registration period is from April 17 to June 01.

To participate, plan to submit an application for the Kobe Marathon before the deadline. You will receive the result of your entry for the marathon. Runners can apply for the marathon online. There is no fee required to apply; you only pay if you are selected to participate in the race. Once you are selected as a runner you need to pay and register in advance.

The Kobe marathon has a limited number of spots (20,000 runners for the full marathon and 150 pairs for the relay run). If there are exceeded number of people applied for the marathon, entry will be decided by lottery.

For more information, see the Kobe Marathon official website: https://kobe-marathon.net/2026/

How Much Does it Cost to Participate in the Kobe Marathon

Japanese natives: 18,000 JPY
International runners: 24,200 JPY
Relay pairs: 30,400 JPY (price for two people)

The entry fee for the Kobe marathon depends on where you are from and which category you apply for; locals runners from Japan pay the standard price, while runners coming to Japan from other countries pay a different fee.

The entrance fees paid by participants includes the charity donation. Administrative handling fee will be charged separately.

Starting Point for the Kobe Marathon Course

The Kobe Marathon starts at Kobe City Hall, near Sannomiya Station. From City Hall, the runners head west for about 20 km to the Akashi and Okurakaigan areas (toward toward the Okura Beach Park), then turn around and returns for the remaining 20 km, finishing at Harborland.

How Do We Get to Kobe Marathon

To access the Kobe Marathon, you would typically take public transportation to Sannomiya Station in Kobe. The starting location of the marathon, Kobe city hall, is less than 10 minute walk from the station.

If you come from Kobe Airport, take a train to Boeki Center Station, which only has a 7 minute walk to the Kobe city hall. If you arrive in Japan via Kansai International Airport, you can take a ferry to Kobe Airport and then transfer to a train, which is a faster option than traveling by land.

Who Attends the Kobe Marathon

80 percent of participants of Kobe marathon are male. Most runners come from Hyogo, Osaka, and other Kansai region areas.

As for international runners, 2,223 people out of 20,000 participants were from other countries in the Kobe Marathon 2025. Most of them are from Asian countries such as Korea, China, and Thailand.

What is the History of Kobe Marathon

The Kobe Marathon started in 2011.

It is said that the first race in Japan to use the name “marathon” was a marathon race in Kobe, held on March 21, 1909. It was a 32 kilometers marathon from Minatogawa in Kobe to the eastern end of Nishinari Bridge in Osaka.

Events and Activities at Kobe Marathon

Kobe Marathon EXPO is held every year for both runners and supporters (family and friends). There is a Kobe Marathon open market that has a variety of booths including sports shops, a massage booth, and a Kobe earthquake exhibition. This market is held at Kobe International Exhibition hall for two days before the marathon date.

Other Marathon Events in Japan

— Sapporo marathon in Japan
— Hokkaido Marathon in Japan
— Osaka Marathon is on the list of marathons in Osaka

Annual Marathon Event in Kobe City, Japan