Kumamoto Castle Marathon
Kumamoto · Feb 22, 2026
A samurai heritage marathon centered on one of Japan's most impressive castles. The February course circles the reconstructed Kumamoto Castle, passes traditional gardens, and follows the Shirakawa River through a city proud of its warrior history.
Date
Feb 22, 2026
Difficulty
Moderate
Elevation
~150m elevation gain
Field Size
10,000 runners
Course
Starting from Kumamoto Castle, along the Shirakawa River, past Suizenji Garden and Reigando Cave, finishing at the sports center
Tips
- •February temps around 4-12°C, cool but usually clear — bring a jacket for the start
- •The castle reconstruction is ongoing but still impressive — visit the keep
- •Pre-race visits: Kumamoto Castle, Suizenji Garden, Mount Aso, Kurokawa Onsen
- •Kumamoto is famous for horse sashimi (basashi) — try it if you're adventurous
Samurai CastleShirakawa RiverWarrior HeritageKyushu Spring