Kyoto Marathon 2027: spectator guide and weekend itinerary

19 to 21 February 2027 · ExpectedKyoto, Japan

Kyoto Marathon takes runners a few hours and spectators all day. This guide gives supporters cheer points they can reach by public transport, plans the expo day and race eve around tired legs, and fills the recovery day in Kyoto.

Tours in Kyoto Hotels for these dates

Airport to Nishikyogoku stadium to Heian Shrine

Kansai airport (KIX) has the Haruka express to Kyoto in 75 minutes. Tokyo is 2 hours 15 minutes by shinkansen.

Start and finish areas are on public transport; streets on the course close for the morning.

Public transport directions to Nishikyogoku stadium to Heian Shrine

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Kyoto station area	Business hotels by the trains.
Mid-range	Gion and Kawaramachi	Old streets and dining.
Splurge	Higashiyama ryokan	Traditional inns.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Piece Hostel Sanjo
Mid-range: Hotel Kanra Kyoto
Splurge: The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto

Links search the nights from 18 February to 22 February. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual marathon weekend schedule for 19 to 21 February 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival and expo

Wednesday 17 February

Runners collect bibs at the expo. Companions can split off for a half-day.

Half-dayArashiyama bamboo grove Half day · Family
Go early.
EatIppudo or local ramen on Ramen Koji Ramen alley at the station

Day before the race

Thursday 18 February

Runners rest their legs: pick seated or slow outings, then an early pasta dinner.

Easy outingTea ceremony Half day · Indoor · Low walking
Matcha in a machiya.
EatNishiki Market Covered food market

Race day

Friday 19 February

Spectators: pick two cheer points you can reach by public transport, then meet at the finish.

Cheer pointKamo River banks.
Cheer pointHeian Shrine finish.
EatPontocho alley Riverside dining

Recovery day

Monday 22 February

Sore legs: boats, buses and long lunches beat walking tours today.

Easy outingKimono rental and photo walk Half day · Family
Dress up for the old streets.
Rain or heat backupKyoto National Museum.

Family-friendly picks

Full day · Family

Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera tour

Torii gates and the wooden temple.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Arashiyama bamboo grove

Go early.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Nara day trip

Deer park and the Great Buddha.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Kimono rental and photo walk

Dress up for the old streets.

See times and prices

Kyoto Railway Museum.
Toei Kyoto Studio Park.

Evening and day-trip tours

Evening · Nightlife

Gion evening walk

Geisha district stories.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera tour

Torii gates and the wooden temple.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Nara day trip

Deer park and the Great Buddha.

See times and prices

After dark

Kiyamachi street bars.

6 tours worth booking for Kyoto Marathon

Tour	Length	Good for
Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera tour	Full day	Families
Arashiyama bamboo grove	Half day	Families
Tea ceremony	Half day	Bad weather, Tired legs
Nara day trip	Full day	Families
Kimono rental and photo walk	Half day	Families
Gion evening walk	Evening	Night owls

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

Nishiki Market Covered food market
Pontocho alley Riverside dining
Ippudo or local ramen on Ramen Koji Ramen alley at the station

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Half day · Indoor · Low walking

Tea ceremony

Matcha in a machiya.

See times and prices

Kyoto National Museum.
Manga Museum.

Getting around on event days

Buses get crowded; the subway and walking are often faster.
A Suica or PASMO card (or Apple Pay) works on trains, buses and convenience stores.
Shinkansen tickets can be booked on smartEX; reserved seats sell out on holidays.

Day trips from Kyoto

Nara: 45 minutes
Osaka: 30 minutes

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for Kyoto Marathon.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is Kyoto Marathon 2027?

The next edition is 19 to 21 February 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Nishikyogoku stadium to Heian Shrine?

Kansai airport (KIX) has the Haruka express to Kyoto in 75 minutes. Tokyo is 2 hours 15 minutes by shinkansen. Start and finish areas are on public transport; streets on the course close for the morning.

Where should I stay for Kyoto Marathon?

For most visitors the best base is Gion and Kawaramachi: Old streets and dining.

What else can we do around Kyoto Marathon?

Good short outings in Kyoto include Arashiyama bamboo grove, Tea ceremony, Kimono rental and photo walk. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Kyoto Marathon?

Family-friendly picks: Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera tour, Arashiyama bamboo grove, Nara day trip. Kyoto Railway Museum.

How far is Nishikyogoku stadium to Heian Shrine from Kyoto centre?

About 1 km in a straight line. Start and finish areas are on public transport; streets on the course close for the morning.

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