The Nago Cherry Blossom Marathon is held each February in conjunction with the Nago Sakura Festival, drawing thousands of runners from across Japan and abroad to race through streets lined with blooming Kanhizakura trees. Route distances range from 3 km fun runs to a full 42.195 km marathon, making it accessible for participants of all levels. Spectators line the course waving and offering Okinawan snacks, creating a festive carnival atmosphere. The finish line near Nago Castle Park is surrounded by cherry trees in full bloom, making the crossing a memorable moment even for non-competitive runners.
- Type
- Festival
- Category
- Cherry Blossom
- Season
- Winter
- Month
- Early February
- Region
- Okinawa
- Prefecture
- Okinawa
- City
- Nago
Highlights
- ◆Run through Kanhizakura-lined streets in full bloom
- ◆Full marathon, half marathon, and 3 km fun run distances
- ◆Festive spectator atmosphere with local food and music
- ◆Finish beneath cherry trees at Nago Castle Park
- ◆Popular with international runners seeking a tropical marathon