Race-city guide · Japan

Osaka

Japan's food capital and a flat, fast course past Osaka Castle. How to plan Osaka Marathon week.

Osaka Marathon 2027 Sun, 28 Feb 2027
Book this trip on ATHLO+ ↗ Plan your days →Register ↗

The race

Categories, key dates, race-week weather and getting there
Categories
  • Marathon42.195 KM (certified)
Key dates
  • Race daySun, 28 Feb 2027 · 8:15 AM
Getting there from Singapore
Race-week weather
Loading weather…
Get race-ready
Plan your race trip Train with a running crew on ATHLO+ Shop your trip kit on ATHLO+
Location
Osaka Castle Park
Open venue in Google Maps

Where to stay

Areas that work on race week
Photo: Own work, CC BY-SA 3.001Food and nightlifeNamba

Close to Dotonbori and well connected on the subway.

Map
Photo: Zairon, CC BY-SA 4.002Best transport hubUmeda

The main rail hub for day trips to Kyoto and Nara.

Map
03Close to the raceNear Osaka Castle

The race starts and finishes around Osaka Castle Park. The quietest race morning.

Map

Local favourites

Grouped by what you need on race week. Tap Map to open each place in Google Maps.

Run

3
Photo: 663highland, CC BY 2.5
Shakeout run
Osaka Castle ParkChuo

The city's favourite running spot, with loops around the moat.

Map ↗
Photo: Mc681, CC BY-SA 4.0
Shakeout run
Nakanoshima ParkKita

Flat riverside paths on an island between two rivers.

Map ↗
Route
Yodo River riverside pathKita and Yodogawa

Long, flat, traffic-free paths for an easy longer run.

Map ↗
See the routes on our 3D map →

Refuel

10
Photo: Type specimen, CC BY-SA 3.0
Eat
DotonboriNamba

Takoyaki, okonomiyaki and neon. The classic Osaka food street.

Map ↗
Eat
Kuromon MarketNippombashi

A covered market for street food and fresh seafood.

Map ↗
Café
LiLo Coffee RoastersShinsaibashi

A tiny roaster with a big following.

Map ↗
Café
Mel Coffee RoastersShinmachi

A neighbourhood roaster for a quiet pour-over.

Map ↗
Café
Ult CoffeeKyomachibori

No. 24 on the World's 100 Best Coffee Shops 2026.

Map ↗
Café
Mill PourKitahorie

The shop that started Osaka's third wave in 2010.

Map ↗
Café
Takamura Wine & Coffee RoastersEdoboriMap ↗
Café
SÖT CoffeeChuoMap ↗
Café
Brooklyn Roasting Company KitahamaKitahama

By the river in Nakanoshima.

Map ↗
Café
YattNakazakicho

In Osaka's best café-hopping neighbourhood.

Map ↗

Recover

1
Recovery
Spa WorldShinsekai

A huge onsen complex. Ideal for the day after the race.

Map ↗

Explore

1
Sight
Day trip to Nara or KyotoBy train from Osaka

Both are under an hour away. Save it for after the race.

Map ↗

Local crews

Groups that welcome visitors. Times change, so check each group's own channel before you go.
Run crew
The Osaka Run ClubWeekly, 7am, Osaka Castle Park

Social morning runs with café time afterwards. Check the Meetup page for dates.

Follow ↗
Run crew
Osaka Outdoor LoversOsaka Castle Park

A running club of around 70 members based at Osaka Castle, in English and Chinese.

Follow ↗
Run crew
RNK Running ClubSaturdays, 7am, Rinku Town

A Saturday morning run near Kansai Airport. The schedule can change without notice.

Run crew
Umekita Running ClubUmekita Park

Group runs in the new park next to Osaka Station.

Good to know

Late-winter weather

Late February is cold, often around 3–8°C at the start. Bring gloves and a throwaway layer.

Getting around

An ICOCA card, or a Suica or PASMO, works on trains and subways across Osaka.

Go with us

ATHLO+ runs a Land & Bib trip for this race: a guaranteed bib, your stay and the group experience. Members get first access.

Book on ATHLO+ ↗Plan my race trip →