[2026 Hitachi Sakura Marathon] Race Entry + Great Value Selected 2-Night Stay

Detailed race information and notes are provided below

Highlights of the Hitachi Sakura Marathon

✨Run through a cherry blossom tunnel: The starting point is on “Heiwa-dori,” where runners will pass through a dreamy pink tunnel formed by hundreds of cherry trees in full bloom—an absolutely stunning sight.

✨Exclusive seaside expressway: In the middle section of the course, runners will run on the “National Route 6 Hitachi Bypass,” which is normally closed to pedestrians, suspended above the Pacific Ocean with unbeatable sea views throughout.

✨Convenient access and lively festival atmosphere: Take a limited express from Tokyo and arrive directly at Hitachi Station in about 90 minutes. Race day is usually combined with the “Hitachi Sakura Festival,” so after finishing, you can immediately enjoy festival food stalls and the lively atmosphere.

2026 Hitachi Sakura Marathon

．Race date: 2026/04/05 (Sun)

．Race divisions: Half Marathon (21.0975 K), 10K, 5K

📢The following is 2025 information for reference only. Actual details are subject to the organizer’s final announcement.

．Start times: Opening ceremony 08:10AM

〔Half Marathon〕09:20AM〔10K〕09:00AM〔5K〕11:30AM

．Time limits: 〔Half Marathon〕2 hours 25 minutes, 2 checkpoints〔10K〕1 hour 20 minutes, no checkpoints〔5K〕1 hour, no checkpoints

．Event venue: Hitachi Civic Center New City Plaza (日立シビックセンター新都市広場)

．Start/Finish: Heiwa-dori in front of Hitachi Station (日立駅前平和通り（ホテルウィング付近）) / City road on the south side of Hitachi Civic Center (日立シビックセンター南側市道)

．Eligibility: Men and women in good physical and mental health who are 18 years old or above on race day.

．Race pack pickup time & location: Pick up at the hotel upon check-in (actual information is subject to the final announcement)

．Participation gift: Not yet announced (actual information is subject to the final announcement)

．A baggage check area will be available. Please remember to bring your baggage check bag, baggage claim slip, and bib number. (There is a limit to the number of baggage items that can be checked, so please take good care of your valuables.)

*The above is for reference only. Actual information and prizes are subject to the organizer’s final announcement.

【Course Map & Elevation Chart】2025 information for reference Video reference

【Half Marathon Time Limit (Checkpoint) Locations】2025 information for reference

• Near the Sakuragawa T-junction on National Route 245 (6.1 km) must be passed by 10:20 AM
• Near Hamamiya Road Park on the Hitachi Bypass of National Route 6 (19.1 km) must be passed by 12:15 PM

【Aid Stations】

Water stations will be set up at the following locations.

Please note that personal food and drinks are not allowed on the course.

• Half Marathon (6 water stations)

Located near the 5 km, 6 km, 8 km, 11 km, 14.8 km, and 18 km marks

• 10 km race (2 water stations)

Located near the 3.5 km and 8 km marks

【Timing Measurement】

• Runners who complete the race will receive a finisher certificate.
• Records will be measured using the runner’s chip.
• In the half marathon, split times will be measured every 5 km. An app (Runner's Update) will be provided so you can check your records on your smartphone, including real-time updates.

【Awards】

• The overall male and female champions of the half marathon, as well as the winners of each division, will receive awards on the New City Plaza stage.
• Second through tenth place in each division will receive awards at the “Awards for 2nd Place and Below” area inside the venue.

【Participation Prize】

Not yet announced. Actual details are subject to the organizer’s final announcement.

Comfortable hotel options with convenient access to and from the race venue

Selected Stay 1: JR-East Hotel Mets Mito (JR-East Hotel Mets Mito)｜Breakfast included

Address: 〒310-0015 1-1-1 Miyamachi, Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture

Stay dates: 2026/04/04, 2026/04/05 for a total of 2 nights

Check-in time: 15:00 PM Check-out time: 11:00 AM

Twin Room

Room size

22m²

Single Room

Room size

16.5m²

Selected Stay 2: Toyoko Inn Hitachi Ekimae (Toyoko Inn Hitachi Ekimae)｜Breakfast included

Address: 〒317-0073 1-3-5 Saiwaicho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki, Japan

Stay dates: 2026/04/04, 2026/04/05 for a total of 2 nights

Check-in time: 15:00 PM Check-out time: 10:00 AM

Single Room (Smoking room, deodorized)

Room size

12m²

Room amenities

Floor lamp/reading lamp, refrigerator, safe, telephone/wake-up service, telephone, safe, electric kettle, bathroom/toilet, humidifier, hangers/deodorizing spray, slippers/shoe polishing paper, trouser press (shared), air conditioning, hair dryer, wireless internet (free)

Selected Stay 3: KOKO STAY Hitachi (KOKO STAY Hitachi)｜Breakfast not included

Address: 〒317-0073 1-5-12 Saiwaicho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture

Stay dates: 2026/04/04, 2026/04/05 for a total of 2 nights

Check-in time: 15:00 PM Check-out time: 10:00 AM

Single Room (Smoking room, deodorized)

Room size

12.5m²

Room amenities

TV/refrigerator/air conditioning/unit bath/toilet with bidet/free Wi-Fi/USB outlet/shampoo, conditioner, body soap/full set of bath amenities/full set of towels/hand soap/hangers/deodorizing spray/slippers/electric kettle/satellite broadcasting/bathroom and bathtub

Transportation suggestions for independent travel. Actual traffic conditions are subject to Japan’s announcements on the day, and you may also purchase tickets in advance to avoid limited seat availability.

■ Direct flights from Taiwan to the local airport

At present, Taipei in Taiwan has direct flights to Ibaraki Airport in Japan. You may check Ibaraki Airport to find your preferred flight arrangement.

■ If there are no flights to Ibaraki, you can also enter via Narita Airport/Haneda Airport as follows:

Narita International Airport↔️JR Hitachi Station:

From Narita Airport Terminal 2 or 3, take the Keisei Main Line - Limited Express bound for Keisei Ueno and get off at Keisei Narita Station.

Walk 5 minutes, then from JR Narita Station take the JR Narita Line to Kashiwa Station (stops include: Shimofusa-Manzaki, Ajiki, Kobayashi (Chiba), Kioroshi, Fusa, Araki (Chiba), Kohoku, Higashi-Abiko, Abiko (Chiba), Shinagawa), then walk 2 minutes and from JR Kashiwa Station take the JR Hitachi/Joban - Joban 77 Limited Express bound for Takahagi and get off at Hitachi Station. (Stops include: Ryugasaki City, Ushiku, Tsuchiura, Ishioka, Tomobe, Akatsuka (Ibaraki), Mito, Katsuta Station, Omika, Hitachi-Taga)

Haneda International Airport↔️JR Hitachi Station:

From Haneda Airport Terminal 3, take the Keikyu Airport Line - Rapid Limited Express bound for Inba-Nihon-Idai for 1 stop and get off at Shinagawa Station.

Walk 2 minutes to JR Shinagawa Station, then take the JR Hitachi/Joban - Hitachi 27 Limited Express bound for Iwaki (Fukushima) for 8 stops and get off at Hitachi Station. (Stops include: Tokyo Station, Ueno, Tsuchiura, Mito, Katsuta Station, Omika, Hitachi-Taga)

■ JR Hitachi Station ↔️ JR-East Hotel Mets Mito (JR-East Hotel Mets Mito)

Take the Joban Line for 5 stops, get off at “Mito Station”, and walk 6 minutes (290 meters) to reach the hotel.

■ JR Hitachi Station ↔️ Race Venue (Hitachi Civic Center New City Plaza (日立シビックセンター新都市広場))

Walk about 4 minutes (280 meters) to reach the race venue

■JR Hitachi Station ↔️ Toyoko Inn Hitachi Ekimae (Toyoko Inn Hitachi Ekimae)

Walk about 4 minutes (250 meters) to reach the hotel

■ Toyoko Inn Hitachi Ekimae (Toyoko Inn Hitachi Ekimae) ↔️ Race Venue (Hitachi Civic Center New City Plaza (日立シビックセンター新都市広場))

Walk about 1 minute (110 meters) to reach the race venue

■ JR Hitachi Station ↔️ KOKO STAY Hitachi (KOKO STAY Hitachi)

Walk about 6 minutes (450 meters) from the station to reach KOKO STAY Hitachi (KOKO STAY Hitachi)

■ KOKO STAY Hitachi (KOKO STAY Hitachi) ↔️ Race Venue (Hitachi Civic Center New City Plaza (日立シビックセンター新都市広場))

Walk about 3 minutes (230 meters) from the hotel to reach the race venue.

Don’t miss the Hitachi Sakura Festival held at the same time as the race!

Hitachi City in Ibaraki Prefecture is one of the prefecture’s most famous cherry blossom viewing spots. The Hitachi Sakura Festival is a traditional spring event in Hitachi City, held every year in early April.

Heiwa-dori is one of Japan’s 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots. Part of the street becomes a pedestrian paradise, hosting various events such as presentations of “Hitachi Furyumono,” which is listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, along with food stalls that attract many visitors.

★Actual event dates are subject to the Japanese organizer’s announcement.

Hitachi Kamine Zoo (日立市かみね動物園)

Opened in 1955. Over the years, this zoo has been loved not only by local residents, but also by people from inside and outside the prefecture.

The zoo is home to about 100 species and 540 unique animals. By observing the various animals on display and interacting with small animals, you can find your favorite one.

Oiwa Shrine

This scenery was selected as one of the 100 scenic views of Ibaraki. Walk about 70 meters along this path and you will see a giant cedar tree.

The trunk splits into three branches at about 3 meters above the ground. This is the Sanbon-sugi. It was selected as one of the Forestry Agency’s “100 Giant Trees of the Forest.” The trunk circumference is about 8 meters, and the tree is 50 meters tall.

The Sanbon-sugi is the largest of its kind in the city and one of the finest in the prefecture, and it is designated as a natural monument by the prefecture.

【What’s Included】

1. Entry to the 2026 Hitachi Sakura Marathon (race category according to the package you select).

2. 2 nights at one of the selected hotels: JR-East Hotel Mets Mito, Toyoko Inn Hitachi Ekimae, or KOKO STAY Hitachi (hotel and room type depend on your selection).

3. Participation gift has not yet been announced; actual details are subject to the organizer’s final announcement.

【Not Included】

- Round-trip international airfare is not included.

- Fees for newly applying for a passport, some meals, usage fees for other activity facilities, personal expenses, and transportation costs. (For example: beverages, alcohol, laundry, telephone, telegrams, and personal transportation expenses)

※ It is recommended that you purchase your own travel insurance (children under 15 cannot be covered by travel accident insurance according to regulations).

【Cancellation Policy】

Race bookings cannot be canceled once purchased. If cancellation is required due to force majeure, please provide the relevant documents and contact AsiaYo customer service for assistance and confirmation of any refund arrangements. AsiaYo customer service hotline: 02-77550575.

AsiaYo Sports Travel Booking Process

1. Book online and submit your order
2. AsiaYo confirms your order within 48 business hours
3. After confirmation, the system will send the "Participant Race Information" form — please complete it before the deadline
4. 5–7 days before check-in, AsiaYo will update your final itinerary details
5. Bring your original passport for hotel check-in and race registration

★ Friendly reminder: Race registration and hotel check-in both require identity verification, so please confirm your passport's validity and carry the original with you.

【Visa】

Holders of a “Taiwan passport” may enter and exit Japan visa-free, but the passport must be valid for more than 6 months and must include the Republic of China national ID number. Holders of foreign passports must check for themselves whether a Japanese visa is required.

【Time Difference】

All of Japan is in the same time zone, Greenwich Mean Time (G.M.T.) +9 hours, which is 1 hour ahead of Taiwan time.

【What’s Included】

1. Entry to the 2026 Hitachi Sakura Marathon (race category according to the package you select).

2. 2 nights at one of the selected hotels: JR-East Hotel Mets Mito, Toyoko Inn Hitachi Ekimae, or KOKO STAY Hitachi (hotel and room type depend on your selection).

3. Participation gift has not yet been announced; actual details are subject to the organizer’s final announcement.

【Not Included】

- Round-trip international airfare is not included.

- Fees for newly applying for a passport, some meals, usage fees for other activity facilities, personal expenses, and transportation costs. (For example: beverages, alcohol, laundry, telephone, telegrams, and personal transportation expenses)

※ It is recommended that you purchase your own travel insurance (children under 15 cannot be covered by travel accident insurance according to regulations).

【Cancellation Policy】

Race bookings cannot be canceled once purchased. If cancellation is required due to force majeure, please provide the relevant documents and contact AsiaYo customer service for assistance and confirmation of any refund arrangements. AsiaYo customer service hotline: 02-77550575.

【Hotel Check-in Method】

After your booking is confirmed, you only need to present your original passport at the hotel front desk on the day of check-in to complete the check-in process smoothly.

【Race Pack Pickup】

Pick up your race pack at the hotel upon check-in (actual information is subject to the final announcement)

【Race Regulations】

Participation Notes

• Participants must undergo a medical examination by a doctor in advance and are responsible for managing their own health. Participants must also carry their health insurance card (a copy is also acceptable).

Please note that people aged 65 and above, as well as those with underlying medical conditions, are more likely to contract COVID-19 and develop severe illness. Therefore, they should be aware of their higher risk and make a careful decision when participating in the event.

• The organizer will purchase marathon insurance. In the event of an accident during the race, the organizer will bear only the emergency treatment costs and expenses covered by the marathon insurance, and will not assume any other responsibility.
• If you feel unwell on race day, please do not participate. In addition, if you feel unwell during the race, please stop immediately and receive first aid from the ambulance following you.
• Running with a companion or cheering from a vehicle is strictly prohibited. However, if you need a companion runner for any reason, please contact the race organizing committee in advance.
• Traffic restrictions will be lifted at 12:30 PM. After the restrictions are lifted, please run on the sidewalk in accordance with traffic signals. Finish timing will end at 1:00 PM.
• A baggage storage area will be set up at the venue on the day of the event.

If you need to check baggage, please place your baggage and baggage claim slip into the baggage bag we send you in advance.

＊Baggage check capacity is limited, so please take good care of your valuables.

• There is no parking available here, so please use public transportation.
• Traffic restrictions will be implemented around the venue. Please note that vehicles will not be able to enter or exit during the restricted period. For details, please refer to the traffic restriction map (to be released in early March).

【Race Assembly and Related Information】

All details are subject to the final itinerary information and the organizer’s official announcement.