[2026 World Heritage Himeji Castle Marathon] Race Entry + 2 Nights of Handpicked Accommodation

Detailed race information and notes are provided below

✨The course begins at the World Heritage Himeji Castle and finishes gloriously in front of this magnificent historic landmark, where you can fully enjoy the castle’s captivating scenery and historical atmosphere.

✨The course is designed to be extremely flat with very few undulations, and is known as a fast race, giving runners a great chance to achieve their personal best.

✨There are enthusiastic local cheering groups along the route, including taiko drum performances and other lively support acts, giving runners a huge boost of energy.

2026 World Heritage Himeji Castle Marathon

• Event date: 2026/02/22 (Sun)
• Race category: Full Marathon
• Start time: 2026/02/22 09:00AM
• Time limit: 6 hours, with 9 cutoff points.
• Start/Finish venue: Otemae-dori (大手前通り) / Himeji Castle Sannomaru Square (姫路城三の丸広場)
• Check-in location: Egret Himeji (イーグレひめじ)
• Check-in time: 2026/02/21 10:30-20:00 (last entry at 19:30)

*Participants must check in in person (a proxy is accepted in special circumstances).

*Please bring the original copy of your identification document when checking in.

*Check-in is not available on race day.

• Eligibility: Participants must be 18 years old or above, born before April 1, 2007.
• Participation gift: Free admission ticket to Himeji Castle, original T-shirt (subject to the organizer’s final announcement)
• Finisher awards:

① Finishers will receive a finisher’s medal + finisher’s towel (commemorative gifts will not be provided to finishers aged 70 or above for this event).

② Only those who finish within the official time limit will receive a certificate issued online.

*The above information is for reference only. Please refer to the final itinerary information for actual details.

[Course Map & Elevation Chart]

[Cutoff Points]

• The time limit is based on the starting gun.
• To comply with traffic regulations and ensure the smooth running of the race, checkpoints (as shown in the table below) will be set up along the course with designated closing times. After a checkpoint closes, you will not be allowed to continue the race.
• In addition, even outside the checkpoints, if there is a significant delay, you may be asked to withdraw from the race.
• Before the event begins, checkpoints and closing times may be subject to change.

[Participation Gifts] (subject to the organizer’s final announcement)

1. Free admission ticket to Himeji Castle. (Valid from the day before the race until the end of February 2027, one-time use per person only)
2. Original T-shirt. *Size cannot be changed after submission. *Please use the size chart below as a guide.

[Starting Order]

Regardless of whether you are registered with the Japan Association of Athletics Federations, your starting block will be assigned based on the predicted start time declared at registration. After the starting block opening time, please line up in the designated area in order.

*Even if two of you register together, you may still be assigned to different starting lines.

[Awards]

1. 1st to 8th place overall in the men’s and women’s divisions
2. Age divisions: 1st to 3rd place for men and women (under 29, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s)
3. Finishers aged 80 and above (awarded regardless of placing)

*Awards will be given based on gross time.

*② does not include items covered in ①.

*No award ceremony will be held for ② and ③. (Certificates will be mailed at a later date.)

A comfortable hotel with convenient access to and from the race venue

Hotel Monterey Himeji

Address: 〒670-0927 60 Ekimaecho, Himeji-shi, Hyogo Prefecture

Stay dates: 2026/02/21, 2026/02/22, total 2 nights

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

Property features: Directly connected to JR Himeji Station and only a 15-minute walk from the World Heritage Site and National Treasure, Himeji Castle.

Twin Room | Breakfast Included

Room Size

22㎡

Room facilities: Washlet toilet, bathtub, TV, telephone, Wi-Fi, wired LAN internet connection, refrigerator, humidifying air purifier, alarm clock, mug, stationery, shoehorn, electric kettle

Room amenities: Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothbrush, razor, bath towel, face towel, hair dryer, yukata, shoe brush, laundry bag, drip coffee, tea set, cotton swabs, bath mat, sanitary bag, tissues, deodorizing spray, slippers

Helpful transportation information for your independent race trip

■ From Taiwan to Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture

There are currently flights from Taiwan to Kansai International Airport and Kobe Airport in Japan. You may check Kansai Airport (KIX) and Kobe Airport (UKB) to find your preferred flight arrangement.

■ Kansai Airport high-speed ferry Bay Shuttle ↔️ Kobe Airport

Timetable for reference (actual schedule is subject to the official website/onsite announcement)

■ Kobe Airport ↔️ Hotel Monterey Himeji

From Kobe Airport, take the Port Liner toward Sannomiya, passing 7 stops (Computational Science Center, Medical Center, Shimin Hiroba, Port Island, Naka Koen, Minatojima, Boeki Center), and get off at Sannomiya Station. Then transfer to the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen Line toward Himeji, passing 4 stops (Kobe (Hyogo), Akashi, Nishi-Akashi, Kakogawa), and get off at Himeji Station. Finally, walk about 5 minutes (280 meters) to reach Hotel Monterey Himeji.

■ Route from JR Himeji Station to the hotel (Click here)

■ Hotel Monterey Himeji ↔️ Race check-in venue (Egret Himeji (イーグレひめじ))

Option 1: It takes 11 minutes on foot.

Option 2: Take one of the following buses: ① Himeji Station North – Yokoseki – Suginouchi – Maesho ② Himeji Station North – Shoshazan Ropeway ③ Himeji Station North - Yokoseki - Shosha Nishi Jutaku ④ Himeji Station North – Nishi High School – Dokkyo University ⑤ Himeji Station – Shimoike – Oikedai, get off at Himeji Castle Temon-mae [Nishihomon Bus Stop], then walk 1 minute to the check-in venue.

■ Hotel Monterey Himeji ↔️ Race venue (Otemae-dori (大手前通り) / Himeji Castle Sannomaru Square (姫路城三の丸広場))

Same route as from the hotel to the check-in venue. Walk or take a bus to Himeji Castle Temon-mae [Nishihomon Bus Stop], then walk about 7 minutes (500 meters) to reach the race venue.

Recommended famous sightseeing spots in Himeji to make your independent trip even more enriching

※The images for the suggested itineraries below are all from the official visit Himeji website

✨Himeji Castle

In 1993, it became Japan’s first World Heritage Site. Although the castle was built over 400 years ago, it remains in perfect condition. Because its magnificent white main keep resembles a white egret spreading its wings in flight, it is also known as the “White Heron Castle.”

✨Koko-en Garden

Making full use of the Himeji Castle residence ruins, samurai house ruins, passageway ruins, and other remains confirmed through excavation surveys, this garden allows you to enjoy nine different garden styles as you pass through layers of castle gates and walls.

[Package Includes]

1. Entry to the 2026 Himeji Castle Marathon.

2. 2 nights at the selected hotel, Hotel Monterey Himeji.

3. Any race participation gifts, if applicable, are subject to the organizer’s final announcement.

[Not Included]

- Round-trip international airfare is not included.

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

※ We recommend that you purchase your own travel insurance (children under 15 are not eligible for travel insurance coverage 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 refund confirmation. 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]

Travelers entering and leaving Japan with a Taiwan passport are visa-exempt, but the passport must be valid for more than 6 months and must include the Republic of China national ID number. Travelers holding foreign passports should 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.

[Package Includes]

1. Entry to the 2026 Himeji Castle Marathon.

2. 2 nights at the selected hotel, Hotel Monterey Himeji.

3. Any race participation gifts, if applicable, are subject to the organizer’s final announcement.

[Not Included]

- Round-trip international airfare is not included.

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

※ We recommend that you purchase your own travel insurance (children under 15 are not eligible for travel insurance coverage 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 refund confirmation. AsiaYo customer service hotline: 02-77550575.

[Hotel Check-in Method]

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

[Race Pack Collection]

Please go to the venue on your own to collect race materials

• Check-in location: Egret Himeji (イーグレひめじ)
• Check-in time: 2026/02/21 10:30-20:00 (last entry at 19:30)

*Participants must check in in person (a proxy is accepted in special circumstances).

*Please bring the original copy of your identification document when checking in.

*Check-in is not available on race day.

[Race Rules]

Competition Rules

• This event will follow the 2025 Japan Association of Athletics Federations competition rules and the regulations of this event.

Regarding Suspension from the Race

• If an emergency such as an accident or fire occurs during the event, staff may instruct participants to stop racing, or emergency vehicles and race vehicles (including bicycles) may pass beside participants.

Regarding Personal Information

• The organizer will comply with the Act on the Protection of Personal Information and related laws and regulations, and will handle personal information in accordance with the organizer’s personal information protection policy. In order to improve services for participants, this information will be used for lotteries, race guides, bib numbers, records, related information notices, services provided by sponsors, partner organizations and related institutions, first aid during the event, and publication of records (including rankings).
• The organizer or operator may contact you to confirm information necessary for race operations.

Other

1. Please fully consider your physical condition, such as training adequately and undergoing a medical checkup in advance, before participating in the race.
2. In the marathon race, registered athletes may not use shoes that do not comply with competition rule TR5.2 (sole thickness not exceeding 40 mm). In addition, registered athletes who achieve the following results in the race may have their running shoes measured after the race. (Men: within 2 hours 21 minutes, Women: within 2 hours 56 minutes)
3. The areas around Himeji Castle, Otemae-dori, and Himeji Station North Plaza are designated as non-smoking and beautification zones under city ordinances. Smoking in these areas (except in designated areas with ashtrays) is subject to a fine of 1,000 yen. In addition, littering empty cans or trash is subject to a fine of up to 20,000 yen.
4. Sakuramon Bridge and Otemon Gate are part of the running route and are accessible only to participants and race organizers.
5. This event will comply with all relevant domestic laws and strictly follow the entry terms and race regulations.

Entry Terms

1. Minors must obtain consent from a guardian to register.
2. Duplicate registrations by the same person (including marathon, fun run, different events, and different registration types), or false declarations of name, age, gender, address, results, etc., will invalidate the participation decision.
3. We do not accept inquiries or status checks regarding registration by phone, email, or other methods.
4. The organizer bears no responsibility for registration failures caused by the terminal device, operating system, or browser software used, or for registration delays caused by network equipment or line failures.
5. After registration procedures are completed, changes to the event, changes or corrections to registration details, or cancellation of registration due to personal reasons are generally not accepted. In addition, registration fees and other charges will not be refunded regardless of payment errors or non-participation.
6. We will not reconfirm emails that fail to be delivered due to an incorrect registered email address. In addition, depending on email reception settings and security software, emails may not be received or may be classified as spam, and the organizer bears no responsibility for any resulting loss.
7. No one other than the registrant may participate (proxy entry is prohibited). If proxy entry is discovered, participation eligibility will be revoked and registration fees and other charges will not be refunded. In addition, future registrations by the registrant or participant will not be accepted for this event. Insurance may also not apply if the proxy entrant is injured or becomes ill.
8. After registration, you may not change or cancel registration information (such as race information) for personal reasons. In addition, overpayments or duplicate payments will not be refunded.
9. If the event is canceled or shortened due to earthquakes, storms, floods, severe weather, snowfall, incidents, accidents, epidemics, terrorism, bomb threats, or other reasons beyond the organizer’s control, registration fees, handling fees, or Aijo Runner registration fees will not be refunded.
10. The organizer bears no responsibility for lateness caused by public transportation or road conditions on the day of registration or race day.
11. Clothing or costumes that cover the face or bib number, pose danger to others, or cause discomfort or offense are prohibited.
12. At the event venue (including on the course), it is prohibited to wear or display advertising materials representing company or product names, such as designs and trademarks used for advertising purposes.
13. If an epidemic, loss, or accident occurs during the event, the organizer will provide first aid only and will bear no further responsibility or take further measures. Compensation standards for accidents, injuries, or illness occurring during the event will be determined according to the compensation standards of the insurance purchased by the organizer.
14. Participants’ personal information such as name, age, gender, address (country, prefecture, or city/ward/town/village), records, likeness, and audio may be reported, published, or used in television, newspapers, magazines, the internet, brochures, or any other media. In addition, publication rights and usage rights belong to the organizer.
15. Photos and other materials approved by the organizer may be sold on a consignment basis.
16. For any other matters related to the race, please follow the organizer’s instructions. If fraud or other improper conduct is found, disqualification will result, and registration fees or other charges will not be refunded. In addition, the participant will no longer be accepted for future race registrations.

[Race Assembly and Related Details]

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