tripuuu.log
Event Guide · Okinawa

NAHA Marathon

DecemberNaha2026 (40th anniversary race): Dec 6 (Sun), 9:00 start
Search by dates and destination
Overview

Overview

A citizens' marathon with the theme "a festival of sun, sea and joggers," started in 1985 to mark the 25th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Naha and Honolulu. Starting at Onoyama Park, the JAAF-certified 42.195 km course passes along Kokusai-dori and by the Peace Memorial Park as it loops through five cities and towns in southern Okinawa, with a field of 30,000. Roadside cheering, Eisa drumming and unofficial aid stations set up by local residents are its trademarks.

When
Usually the first Sunday of December
Confirmed dates: 2026 (40th anniversary race): Dec 6 (Sun), 9:00 start
Venue
Onoyama Park (start), Onoyama Athletic Stadium (finish) / Naha, Haebaru, Yaese, Itoman and Tomigusuku
Official website
https://naha-marathon.jp/
Highlights

Highlights

From Kokusai-dori right after the start to the villages of southern Okinawa around the Peace Memorial Park, the cheering never stops, with unofficial aid stations run by residents and sanshin and Eisa performances along the way. With a relatively generous 6-hour-15-minute time limit and many costumed runners, it's a "festival-style" marathon.

Times

Times

Start9:00

December 6, 2026, Onoyama Park. Held rain or shine

1st checkpoint (21.3 km)12:15

Cutoff time for the 2026 race

2nd checkpoint (34.3 km)14:10

Cutoff time for the 2026 race

Finish closes (time limit 6 hours 15 min)15:15

Onoyama Athletic Stadium

Runner check-in (day before)10:00–20:00

Saturday, December 5, 2026, Okinawa Prefectural Budokan Arena Building, Onoyama Park

Times can change from year to year. Check the official website for the latest information.

Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓Entries for the 40th race in 2026 closed on July 11 (field of 30,000). If you want to run in a future year, check the official website for entries, which usually open around summer
  • ✓Non-runners can cheer along Kokusai-dori or around Onoyama Park. Kokusai-dori right after the start is a popular spot to see the huge pack of runners
  • ✓The time limit is 6 hours 15 minutes, with checkpoints at 21.3 km (12:15) and 34.3 km (14:10). Runners stopped at a checkpoint are taken back to Onoyama Park by a retirement bus
  • ✓Even in December temperatures rise during the day, and the southern section has ups and downs. Drink water and take salt regularly
  • ✓On race day, traffic is restricted across a wide area of Naha and southern Okinawa. Avoid planning to travel by rental car, or check the restriction times
Access

Getting there

Nearest stations
  • Onoyama-koen Station (Yui Rail)About a 5 min walkThe nearest station to the start and finish. Extremely crowded on race day
  • Tsubogawa Station (Yui Rail)About a 10 min walkYou can enter Onoyama Park from the east side
From major stations
  • Naha Airport: Yui Rail to Onoyama-koen Station (About 8 min)
  • Kenchomae Station (Kokusai-dori): Yui Rail to Onoyama-koen Station (About 5 min)
IC cards (Suica etc.)
Yui Rail and route buses accept OKICA as well as nationwide IC cards such as Suica (some route buses may not accept them)
Getting back
  • After the finish, the ticket gates and platforms at Onoyama-koen Station are extremely crowded. Consider walking to Tsubogawa or Asahibashi Station
  • Taxis and buses around the venue can barely move until the traffic restrictions are lifted
  • If you are heading straight to the airport, allow extra time for crowds on the Yui Rail
Open in Google Maps ↗
Crowds

Crowds & best timing

Busiest times
Onoyama Park and Onoyama-koen Station before the start on race day (7:00–9:00), and 13:00–15:00 when most runners finish
Quieter times
The morning of check-in on the day before; on race day, the course in southern Okinawa is relatively calm for spectators
Saving a spot
To see the pack right after the start on Kokusai-dori, be at the roadside by the 8:00 hour
Time needed
1–2 hours if you're just cheering. If you're running, it takes two days starting the day before, including check-in and travel
Weather

Weather & what to wear

Evening temperatures
December normals in Naha are lows of about 16°C and highs of about 22°C (reference values based on JMA normals). Mornings and evenings are a bit chilly, while daytime can be warm enough to make you sweat
What to wear
For spectators, a long-sleeved shirt and a light jacket. For runners, a disposable poncho or similar is handy while waiting before the start. Don't forget sun protection
Rain, snow & typhoons
Held rain or shine. The organizers decide whether to cancel in stormy weather or other conditions
Where to check for cancellations
NAHA Marathon official website (https://naha-marathon.jp/) and its news page
☁ Okinawa weather in December →
Etiquette

Local rules & etiquette

  • !Do not step onto the course or block runners. Follow staff instructions when crossing
  • !Take your trash home, or sort it and dispose of it in the designated places
  • !When offering food at unofficial aid stations, follow the organizers' guidelines (to prevent food poisoning)
  • !Flying drones along the course requires permission
  • !Under Naha city ordinance, smoking on the street is restricted in areas such as around Kokusai-dori
  • !Public trash bins are rare in Japan. Bring a small bag and take your trash with you.
  • !Smoking while walking is banned in many cities. Use designated smoking areas.
Facilities

Facilities

Toilets
Toilets and temporary toilets in Onoyama Park (long lines before the start). Temporary toilets are also set up along the course
Lockers & luggage
There are few coin lockers around Onoyama-koen Station. Non-runners are advised to leave luggage at their hotel
Paying at food stalls
Some food stalls at Onoyama Park are cash only, so bring cash
ATMs
Convenience store ATMs (Seven Bank, etc.) around Onoyama Park and Asahibashi Station
Seven Bank ATMs (inside 7-Eleven stores) usually accept cards issued overseas.
Wheelchairs & strollers
Onoyama Park is relatively flat but very crowded on race day. For cheering with a wheelchair or stroller, less crowded spots along the course are recommended
Food

Food

Local favorites
Okinawa sobaZenzai (Okinawan-style shaved ice)Sata andagi (Okinawan doughnuts)Brown sugar and salt from roadside aid stations
Vegetarian & halal
Food stalls and unofficial aid stations rarely have vegetarian or halal labels, so bring your own energy food if needed
Tours & tickets for this eventPR
🏨 Where to stay during the event

From the day before to race day, hotels in Naha are extremely busy with about 30,000 runners plus supporters. Book accommodation around Onoyama Park or Kokusai-dori as soon as your entry is confirmed

Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near NAHA MarathonPR

PRSee more places to stay near NAHA Marathon on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Attractions

Attractions in Naha

Photo coming soonAquarium

DMM Kariyushi Aquarium

Okinawa ・ Tomigusuku

An aquarium inside the iias Okinawa Toyosaki shopping center, about 20 minutes by car from Naha Airport. Opened in 2020, it combines spatial effects using video and light with hands-on encounters with marine life. It's open until 19:00, making it easy to drop by on your arrival day or before departure.

Theme park

Okinawa World

Okinawa ・ Nanjo

A theme park in Nanjo City in the south of Okinawa Island, centered on the Gyokusendo limestone cave. Besides exploring the cave, you can watch Eisa dance and try crafts in the Ryukyu Kingdom castle town lined with old houses, visit the Habu Museum Park, and experience Okinawa's nature and culture all in one place. It's about 30 minutes by car from Naha Airport.

See all attractions →
Events

Events & festivals in Okinawa

February–March

Okinawa Pro Baseball Spring Camp

Okinawa ・ Naha

Usually February 1 to late February (the Yomiuri Giants' Naha camp runs from mid-February to early March)

August–September

Okinawa Zento Eisa Matsuri

Okinawa ・ Naha

Usually three days, Friday to Sunday, on the weekend after the lunar Obon (late August to early September)

October

Naha Great Tug-of-War Festival

Okinawa ・ Naha

Usually the three-day weekend around Sports Day (formerly Health and Sports Day) in October. The tug-of-war is on the Sunday in the middle of the long weekend

2026 (56th): Oct 10 (Sat) – Oct 12 (Mon, holiday); Hatagashira procession and tug-of-war on Oct 11 (Sun)

See all events →

Dates, times and access are based on official and other primary sources. Only dates confirmed by official sources are shown as “Confirmed dates”; otherwise the usual timing is given.

Last checked: 2026-09-30

PRKlookYui Rail 1-Day Digital Ticket (Okinawa)Unlimited monorail rides for one day, handy for getting between Naha Airport and Onoyama-koen StationView