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

Detailed race information and notes are provided below

Highlights of the Yamagata Marathon

✨A route that runs through the city center!

This is a journey where you can fully enjoy Yamagata’s history, culture, and abundant nature, including the former prefectural office "Bunshokan," a nationally treasured cultural property used as a filming location for movies, as well as the lively imoni festival atmosphere along the "Mamigasaki Riverside," and more.

✨A course made for chasing your personal best

If you can get through the climb of "Imoni-zaka" between the 12km and 2km points in the latter half of the race, the rest of the course turns completely downhill. It’s a course where it’s easy to break your personal best.

✨Enjoy Yamagata’s wonderful local food specialties

Yamagata offers its own unique hospitality for all participants after the race, where you can enjoy many local delicacies, including the served "imoni."

2026 Yamagata Marathon 

■ Event Date: 2026-10-04 (Sun)

■ Race Category: Half Marathon (21.0975km) 

■ Event Start Time: 2026-10-04 , 09:05

■ Time Limit: 21.0975K 2H50M

※There are 4 cutoff points. 

■ Start Location: Yamagata City General Sports Center ( Yamagata City General Sports Center / 山形市総合スポーツセンター )

■ Finish Location: Yamagata City General Sports Center ( Yamagata City General Sports Center / 山形市総合スポーツセンター )

■ Race Course: The first half of the race passes through central Yamagata City, while the second half features the 2km-long Imonozaka, turning into a downhill course. 

■ Eligibility: Healthy men and women aged 18 or above on race day (excluding high school students) 

■ Participation Prize: Commemorative gift, sports drink, imoni (a local specialty dish), and Shine Muscat grapes.

■ Finisher Prize: Finisher certificate (WEB) (subject to the official announcement for the event year).

■ Race Pack Pickup Method & Location: Pick up race materials at the hotel upon check-in (actual information is subject to the organizer’s final announcement) 

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

【Course Map & Elevation Chart】2025 information for reference

【Cutoff (Checkpoint) Information】2025 information for reference

• Race time limit: 2 hours 50 minutes, 4 checkpoints

Comfortable hotel options are available for convenient travel to and from the race venue

Hotel Metropolitan Yamagata South Wing ( Hotel Metropolitan Yamagata South Wing / ホテルメトロポリタン山形 南館 )

📍Google Map

Accommodation Address: 〒990-0039 1-1-1 Kasumicho, Yamagata, Yamagata Prefecture ( 1-1-1 Kasumicho, Yamagata, 990-0039, Japan / 〒990-0039 山形県山形市香澄町１丁目１−１ )

Stay Dates: 2026/10/03, 2026/10/04, total 2 nights

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

Single Room｜20㎡｜Breakfast Included

*Images on this page are for reference only. Room layout and decor may vary due to on-site adjustments. Please refer to the actual room provided upon check-in.

Room Facilities

Bed (Simmons) / Bathtub / Shower / Wireless internet / High-speed wired LAN connection (up to 100Mbps / free connection) / LAN cable provided / Telephone / Negative ion hair dryer / Electric kettle / LCD TV (video streaming apps available) / Refrigerator / Humidifier and air purifier / Sleepwear

Amenities

Shampoo / Body soap / Hand soap and facial cleanser / Bath salts / Cotton swabs / Toothbrush / Razor / Comb / Hair net / Drip coffee / Sencha tea bags / Mineral water

Twin Room｜20㎡｜Breakfast Included

*Images on this page are for reference only. Room layout and decor may vary due to on-site adjustments. Please refer to the actual room provided upon check-in.

Room Facilities

Bed (Simmons) / Bathtub / Shower / Wireless internet / High-speed wired LAN connection (up to 100Mbps / free connection) / LAN cable provided / Telephone / Negative ion hair dryer / Electric kettle / LCD TV (video streaming apps available) / Refrigerator / Humidifier and air purifier / Sleepwear

Amenities

Shampoo / Body soap / Hand soap and facial cleanser / Bath salts / Cotton swabs / Toothbrush / Razor / Comb / Hair net / Drip coffee / Sencha tea bags / Mineral water

Here are transportation suggestions for your independent trip. 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.

■ How to get to Yamagata?

You can travel from Sendai Airport, or transfer from central Tokyo or Narita/Haneda Airport. Please refer to the transportation options below (for reference only; actual conditions are subject to local traffic conditions in Japan at the time).

■ Departing from Sendai

【From Sendai Airport to JR Yamagata Station】

• Take the Sendai Airport shuttle bus (travel time approx. 1 hour 20 minutes) to arrive at "Yamagata Ekimae."
• Take the Sendai Airport Access Line to "Sendai Station", then transfer to the bus 🚌 Sendai–Yamagata (travel time approx. 1 hour 7 minutes) to arrive at "Yamagata Ekimae."
• Take the Sendai Airport Access Line to "Sendai Station", then transfer to the JR 🚅 Senzan Line (travel time approx. 1 hour 29 minutes) to arrive at "Yamagata Station."

JR Yamagata Station ↔️ Hotel Metropolitan Yamagata South Wing ( Hotel Metropolitan Yamagata South Wing / ホテルメトロポリタン山形 南館 )

Hotel Metropolitan Yamagata South Wing is directly connected to Yamagata Station, so runners can check in as soon as they arrive—super convenient!

Hotel Metropolitan Yamagata South Wing (Hotel Metropolitan Yamagata) ↔️ Race Venue (Yamagata City General Sports Center ( Yamagata City General Sports Center / 山形市総合スポーツセンター ))

From JR Yamagata Station, take either the JR Senzan Line or the JR Yamagata Line, travel one stop (Kitayamagata), get off at "Uzen-Chitose Station", then walk about 16 minutes (1.1 km) to reach the race venue.

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

✨Kajo Park (Yamagata Castle Ruins) — A top choice for history and strolling

Location: About a 10-minute walk from the west exit of JR Yamagata Station.

Highlights:

1. This is the site of "Yamagata Castle," one of Japan’s Top 100 Castles, and also the largest castle ruin site in the Tohoku region.
2. Inside the park, you can see the magnificent Ninomaru Higashi Otemon Gate (reconstructed) and an equestrian statue of Mogami Yoshiaki.
3. Important highlight: The park’s Former Saiseikan Main Building is a red, circular Western-style building that once served as a hospital and is now a local museum, with a very unique and refined appearance.

Why we recommend it: Very close to the hotel, and the flat walking paths in the park are ideal for runners to enjoy a light recovery walk before the race.

(Image source: Yamagata Castle official website)

✨Bunshokan (Yamagata Prefectural Local Museum) — A journey through splendid Western-style architecture

Location: About 10 minutes by downtown loop bus from JR Yamagata Station, or about 20 minutes on foot.

Highlights:

1. This is a red-brick building constructed in 1916 in the British Renaissance style, formerly used as the Yamagata Prefectural Office and Assembly Hall.
2. The interior decoration is extremely luxurious, including delicate plaster ceilings and marble columns, and it is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
3. The live-action film version of "Rurouni Kenshin" was also filmed here.

Why we recommend it: Admission is free, and it is located in the heart of Yamagata City, with many cafés and specialty shops nearby (such as "Nanokamachi Gotenzeki"), making it perfect for a half-day city stroll.

(Image source: Bunshokan official website)

✨Yamadera (Hojusan Risshakuji Temple) — A breathtaking sacred training site

Location: Take the JR Senzan Line from JR Yamagata Station to "Yamadera Station" in only about 20 minutes, then walk 5 minutes from the station to the trailhead.

Highlights:

1. A thousand-year-old temple famous for the haiku line by Matsuo Basho: "Such stillness—the cicadas’ cries sink into the rocks."
2. Climb the 1,015 stone steps to reach the top at "Godaido," where you can overlook the magnificent scenery of the entire valley.

Why we recommend it: Although it requires climbing stairs, it is one of Yamagata Prefecture’s most iconic attractions. If you still have the energy after the race, the air and atmosphere here are incredibly healing. (Friendly reminder: if you plan to visit after the race, please consider the condition of your leg muscles.)

(Image source: Hojusan Risshakuji Temple official website)

【What’s Included】

1. Entry to the 2026 Yamagata Marathon.

2. 2 nights at the selected hotel: Hotel Metropolitan Yamagata South Wing ( Hotel Metropolitan Yamagata South Wing / ホテルメトロポリタン山形 南館 ). (Room type depends on the package you choose)

3. If the race includes participation gifts, etc., all details are subject to the organizer’s final announcement.

【Not Included】

- Round-trip international airfare is not included.

- Passport application fees, some meals, fees for use of other activity facilities, personal expenses, and transportation costs. (Such as beverages, alcohol, laundry, telephone, telegrams, and personal transportation expenses)

※It is recommended that you purchase your own travel insurance additionally (children under 15 are not eligible for travel insurance according to regulations).

【Cancellation Policy】

Race entries cannot be canceled once booked. 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】

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. Travelers holding foreign passports should check for themselves whether a 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 Yamagata Marathon.

2. 2 nights at the selected hotel: Hotel Metropolitan Yamagata South Wing ( Hotel Metropolitan Yamagata South Wing / ホテルメトロポリタン山形 南館 ). (Room type depends on the package you choose)

3. If the race includes participation gifts, etc., all details are subject to the organizer’s final announcement.

【Not Included】

- Round-trip international airfare is not included.

- Passport application fees, some meals, fees for use of other activity facilities, personal expenses, and transportation costs. (Such as beverages, alcohol, laundry, telephone, telegrams, and personal transportation expenses)

※It is recommended that you purchase your own travel insurance additionally (children under 15 are not eligible for travel insurance according to regulations).

【Cancellation Policy】

Race entries cannot be canceled once booked. 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, on the day of check-in you only need to present your original passport at the hotel front desk to complete the check-in process smoothly.

【Race Pack Pickup】

Pick up your race materials when checking in at the hotel, so there’s no need to rush around before the race—making race pack collection easy and stress-free.

【Race Regulations】

• Your bib number will be sent to you in advance. Please keep it safe and do not forget to bring it on the day of the event. Please note that the organizer will not reissue it.
• If the event is canceled due to circumstances beyond the organizer’s control (earthquake, storm, flood, incident, accident, etc.), no refunds will be issued under any circumstances.
• This race will use a "runner chip" to record results. The runner’s chip will be attached together with your bib. Please be sure to return it after the race. For the half marathon, "net time" will be measured.

*Net time: the time from crossing the start line to crossing the finish line.

*Gross time: the time from the starting gun to crossing the finish line (also known as gun time)

• Any accidents occurring during the race will be handled by the organizer within the scope of the accident insurance. Eligible persons are those who received treatment and examination at the medical center for this marathon event. To claim insurance benefits, the relevant person must contact the secretariat. Participants must carry their insurance card (or a copy) in case of an accident.
• The half marathon course will have 4 checkpoint stations and 7 water stations. Detailed information such as installation locations and closing times will be announced on the championship website once confirmed.
• Changing rooms for runners are available at the venue, but as crowding is expected, please try to come wearing the clothes you will race in.
• Only the half marathon will have assembly at the starting line. Participants will gather in groups according to the self-reported time submitted in advance (bib card order).
• For advertising purposes, participants may not wear or display any designs or trademarks representing company or product names within the event venue (including the race course).
• Please note that photos and other items may be consigned for sale if approved by the organizer.
• Participants who complete the half marathon, 5km, and 3km online races will receive a finisher certificate (including time and ranking). In addition, the latest recorded finish times can be found in "Runner Update" on race day. https://runnet.jp/record/
• In addition to the above, please follow the instructions of the race organizer regarding all other race-related matters.
• Baggage may be stored at the "Baggage Storage" area set up by the organizer starting from 7:00 a.m. on race day. Please attach and use the baggage tag included with your bib card on your luggage.

*Please keep your valuables with you at all times.

【Race Assembly and Related Information】

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