Running along the fresh green lakeshore, the Lake Toya Marathon is a popular event that, for Hokkaido runners, signals the opening of the spring season. This article brings the events, schedule, course, entry and lodging together into a single comprehensive guide. Written from the perspective of a local operator running lodgings at Lake Toya, the information is organized so that even first-time entrants can follow it easily. Participation fees and dates that change from year to year are noted as “for the 2026 event”; for the latest information, please check the official site at toyako-marathon.jp.
What is the Lake Toya Marathon (typically held on a Sunday in mid-May)
The Lake Toya Marathon is a road race staged along the shores of Lake Toya. It is usually held on a Sunday in mid-May, and the 2026 event will take place on Sunday, May 17, 2026, and will be held rain or shine. May, with its fresh greenery, is one of the times of year when the air is clearest, and the scenic beauty of running with views of the lake and Mount Usu is a major draw of this event. It is organized by the Lake Toya Marathon Committee.
The event’s title sponsor and similar details may change from year to year. In this article, we refer to it by its common name, the “Lake Toya Marathon.”
Events and participation fees (information for the 2026 event)
For the 2026 event, the following three events are offered.
- Full marathon 42.195 km: participation fee ¥11,500
- 10 km: participation fee ¥5,000
- 5 km: participation fee ¥5,000 (high school students ¥2,500, junior high school students ¥2,000)
The full marathon is the classic distance for runners, but with 10 km and 5 km events on offer as well, it is also well suited to those just starting out with running or to families taking part together. Event categories and participation fees may change from year to year.
Start times and time limits (2026 event)
The start times for the 2026 event are as follows.
- Full marathon: 9:00 start (time limit 5 hours 30 minutes)
- 10 km: 10:00 start
- 5 km: 10:10 start
Because the full marathon starts early, at 9:00 a.m., arriving on the day itself from far away is not really practical. Staying the night before to get your condition right is the safer choice. We cover how to think about lodging later in this article.
Course overview (start and finish at Wakasaimo Honpo, turnaround at Tsukiura)
The course starts in front of Wakasaimo Honpo (on the town road Onsen-odori Line), turns around in the Tsukiura district (National Route 230), and finishes on the Lake Toya lakeside promenade behind Wakasaimo Honpo. It is a lakeside course with elevation changes, so while you can enjoy the scenery, preparing for the ups and downs is essential. For details on tackling the course, see our Lake Toya Marathon course strategy guide.
How and when to enter (for the 2026 event, Feb 1–Mar 8)
Entry is done online (via RUNTES), and the registration period is typically from February to early March. For the 2026 event, the registration period was February 1 to March 8. Because there is a capacity for the full marathon only of 4,500 runners on a first-come, first-served basis, those aiming to run the full marathon can feel more secure by entering early once registration opens. In some years, participation slots are also made available through the hometown tax (furusato nozei) program. The registration period, capacity and method may change from year to year, so please check the official site at toyako-marathon.jp for the latest information.
A whole-house rental is convenient for lodging before and after the event
If you are aiming for the full marathon’s 9:00 start, staying the night before is essential. Every Kamonoya property has a fully equipped kitchen and is a whole-house or whole-room private rental (you never share with other guests), so you can pace your own meal the day before the race, and it also suits staying the night before with running friends or as a team. Toya INN-West (capacity 9, from ¥25,000/night) and Toya House (capacity 8, from ¥24,000/night), located in the center of the onsen town, offer convenient access from the onsen-town area around the start line. For a larger team training camp, we also recommend Toya Farmer’s House (capacity 18, from ¥25,000/night). For details on how to choose your lodging, please see our runners’ guide to staying the night before.
Lodgings tend to fill up before and after the event. You can compare the properties on our list of facilities.
Booking directly through our official site is the best-value official rate, with no agency commission (best-rate guarantee). Check availability here
Frequently asked questions
Q1. When is the 2026 Lake Toya Marathon held?
The 2026 event will be held on Sunday, May 17, 2026, rain or shine. It is usually held on a Sunday in mid-May, and the date changes from year to year.
Q2. Are there events other than the full marathon?
For the 2026 event, three events are offered: the full marathon 42.195 km, the 10 km, and the 5 km. The 5 km also has discounted fees for junior high and high school students, making it well suited to running beginners and to families taking part together.
Q3. When does entry open? Is there a capacity limit?
Entry is typically accepted online (via RUNTES) from February to early March. For the 2026 event it was February 1 to March 8. Because the full marathon alone has a capacity of 4,500 runners on a first-come, first-served basis, entering early is the safer choice.