DateMarch 29, 2026

LocationMiyajima Island, Hiroshima

Distances15km · 5km

Entry from¥10,000

Cherry blossoms.
Wild deer.
15km of pure Miyajima.

Oh deer, what a hill — and you'll want every meter of it.

Why This Race

Japan's Most Iconic Island.
Seen by Millions. Run by Very Few.

Miyajima draws millions of visitors every year — for the floating torii gate, the sacred deer, the ancient shrines at the water's edge. On March 29, a small group of runners gets to experience it in a way no tourist ever does: on foot, through cherry blossom trails, past deer grazing at the roadside, on a course that most people will never see. The ferry ride over before the crowds arrive. The finish line with the sea behind you. This is the Miyajima the guidebooks miss.

Cherry Blossom SeasonWild Deer on CourseWorld Heritage IslandSea Views Throughout120m Elevation ChallengeHistoric Shrine RouteSmall, Community Race

Course Details

Two Distances. One Unforgettable Island.

15km

Challenger Course

Beyond Tsutsumigaura, deep into Miyajima's interior. A challenging course with 120m of elevation gain and sweeping ocean views. For runners who want to earn their finish line.

Time limit2h 30m

Elevation gain120m

Aid stations2.5 / 7.5 / 12.5 km

Eligibility18 years and older

Entry fee¥10,000

5km

Scenic Course

Miyajima Gakuen to Tsutsumigaura and back. Gentle rolling hills, cherry blossoms, friendly deer alongside the road. The perfect introduction to running Japan's hidden places.

Time limit1h 20m

ElevationGentle hills

Aid stations2.5 km

EligibilityGrade 4 and older

Entry fee¥10,000

What's Included

Everything You Need to Show Up and Run.

Chip Timing

Accurate electronic time tracking. Your official result, precisely recorded and available online after the race.

Digital Race Certificate

Downloadable after the event. Your finish time, your proof, your memory to keep.

Age Group Awards

Top 5 overall (men and women). 1st place in each age group: 18-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65 and over.

Multiple Aid Stations

Water points at regular intervals on both courses. Stay hydrated, keep moving forward.

05 — Option

Shakushi Finisher Medal

A custom rice paddle — Miyajima's iconic craft — engraved with your race record. A keepsake unlike any finisher medal you've received before.

+ ¥3,000 · Add during registration

06 — Option

Official Race T-Shirt

Dry-fit polyester in sizes 140 / 150 / XS / S / M / L / XL. Sold out fast in 2025. Reserve yours early.

+ ¥2,500 · Add during registration

Race Day

Schedule — March 29, 2026

08:00Venue opens

08:30Check-in opens — closes 30 min before each race start

09:30Opening ceremony

09:40Warm-up session

10:3015km race start

10:405km race start

12:15Award ceremony

13:30Closing ceremony

The Race Community

8th Edition.
Still the Best-Kept Secret in Japan.

Local volunteers line the entire course. The organising team is on-hand from the first ferry to the closing ceremony. It's the kind of race where strangers become friends by the time they reach the finish line.

8th

Annual Edition

Distances

100%

English Support

Getting There

Access and Where to Stay

Start and Finish

Miyajima Junior High School Grounds
Miyajima-cho, Hatsukaichi City
Hiroshima Prefecture

Open in Google Maps

From Hiroshima City

JR San-yo Line to Miyajimaguchi Station, then a short ferry crossing to the island.

Approx. 40 minutes total from Hiroshima Station

More access info will be emailed after registration

From Hiroshima Airport

Airport Limousine Bus to Hiroshima Station, then JR and ferry.

Approx. 90 minutes total

More access info will be emailed after registration

Where to Stay

Stay on Miyajima Island the night before — experience the shrine at dusk with almost no crowds. Book well in advance as accommodation is extremely limited.

Hotel recommendations will be emailed after registration

Registration

Ready to Race Miyajima?

Enter in minutes. Everything is in English. No Japanese required.

Miyajima Marathon 2026

March 29, 2026 · Miyajima Island, Hiroshima

15km — Challenger CourseAges 18 and older · Time limit 2h30m

¥10,000

5km — Scenic CourseGrade 4 and older · Time limit 1h20m

¥10,000

Shakushi Finisher MedalOptional · Custom engraved rice paddle

+ ¥3,000

Official Race T-ShirtOptional · Dry-fit · Sizes XS–XL

+ ¥2,500

All in EnglishInternational cards acceptedSecured by StripeInstant confirmation emailCalendar invite included

No Japanese required · No refunds after payment
Questions? Email h.kuroda@smilebibs.com

FAQ for Overseas Runners

Questions, Answered.

Absolutely. This Global Race Page and the entire registration process is in English. The organising team has English-speaking support available on race day. Just show up.

All major international credit and debit cards — Visa, Mastercard, American Express — via Stripe. Apple Pay and Google Pay are also supported. No Japanese bank account required.

Take the JR San-yo Line to Miyajimaguchi Station, then a short ferry crossing to the island. About 40 minutes from Hiroshima city centre. We recommend arriving early — the island before the crowds is something special.

Yes. Baggage storage is available at Miyajima Junior High School Grounds. Please check in at least 30 minutes before your race start time.

Absolutely. Miyajima is one of Japan's great day trips — the torii gate, Itsukushima Shrine, and deer are all walkable from the venue. Your family will be well occupied while you run.

Refunds are not available once payment has been confirmed. We recommend registering only once your travel plans are finalised.

Cherry blossoms.Wild deer.15km of pure Miyajima.

Japan's Most Iconic Island.Seen by Millions. Run by Very Few.