Tokyo Marathon road closures, in-person bib pickup at the EXPO, when runners should land, stopping at Big Sight from the airport, and where to stay near the course.
For runners, the two or three days before the Tokyo Marathon matter as much as the race: you have to collect your bib in person, the start is in Nishi-Shinjuku and the finish in Marunouchi, road closures cover the course on race day, and where you stay and when you land all shape your airport transfer. The details below are from the official information for the 2027 race; dates change each year, so always check the official Tokyo Marathon website.
Bib pickup: in person, before race day only
The 2027 Tokyo Marathon is on Sunday 7 March, and the Tokyo Marathon EXPO runs from 4 to 6 March at Tokyo Big Sight's South Halls. The organisers are clear on three points:
- Bibs must be collected in person during the EXPO; proxies are not allowed.
- There is a photo ID check at pickup.
- There is no registration or bib pickup on race day.
In other words, you must reach the EXPO before it closes on its final day. Landing on that last day is risky — one flight delay and you could miss it.
Stop at Big Sight on the way from the airport
Tokyo Big Sight is in Ariake on Tokyo Bay. If you want to collect your bib on arrival day, the car can stop at the EXPO on the way from the airport to your hotel. Let us know in advance and we will arrange the stop; our team confirms the location and timing (see adding a stop to your airport transfer, and for the area itself Narita and Haneda to Toyosu and Ariake). Bring your ID and the documents sent by the organisers.
Tokyo Marathon road closures near the start and finish
- Start: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Nishi-Shinjuku. On race morning the roads around it are closed and packed with runners and spectators. If you stay in Nishi-Shinjuku you can walk to the start, but do not plan a car that morning.
- Finish: around Wadakura-mon, Marunouchi. According to the official course information, the last runners are expected to finish at around 16:00, so the finish area stays busy well into the afternoon. For staying near the finish, see Narita and Haneda to Marunouchi and Otemachi.
- Along the course: the route passes Kanda, Akihabara, Ryogoku, Kuramae, Ginza and Hibiya, each with different closure times; check the official traffic restriction information.
Fly home the next day
After a full marathon you will be tired, and closures in the centre run into the afternoon, so racing to the airport on race day is hard work. Fly out on Monday and go straight from your hotel to the airport — about 30–45 minutes to Haneda and 60–90 minutes to Narita, depending on traffic.
Price
Prices do not change on marathon weekend. Anywhere in Tokyo: from Haneda, Alphard ¥15,000 or Hiace ¥17,000; from Narita, Alphard ¥22,000 or Hiace ¥27,000 (per vehicle, tax included). For a running club, six people in an Alphard from Haneda pay about ¥2,500 each. See Haneda to Tokyo and Narita to Tokyo.
Fix your EXPO pickup day first, then send your flight, hotel and any stop on the booking page.
FAQ
- Can I land on race morning and go straight to the start?
- We would not. The organisers state that bibs must be collected in person at the EXPO before the race, with no pickup on race day. You need to be at the EXPO before it closes on its final day, so arrive at least a day early.
- Can I stop at the EXPO for my bib on the way from the airport to my hotel?
- Yes. If you would like to stop on the way, let us know in advance and we will arrange it; our team confirms the stop and timing. The EXPO is held at Tokyo Big Sight in Ariake — check the official site for dates and hours.
- With Tokyo Marathon road closures, can I fly out on the afternoon of race day?
- Roads along the course stay closed into the afternoon, drive times in the centre are hard to predict, and you will be tired. We recommend flying the next day. If you must leave on race day, give us your hotel and flight details when booking and our team will confirm a departure time.