Where To Stay For The Tokyo Marathon

The Tokyo Marathon starts in west Shinjuku. The best place to stay to avoid any stress on race day is in Shinjuku, ideally west Shinjuku, so you can walk to the start. Here are the best hotels to stay in for the Tokyo Marathon.

[Tokyo Marathon runners - image © nakashi / CC BY-SA 2.0]

Introduction

The 2026 Tokyo Marathon is set for March 1, 2025, and if you’re thinking of joining the race, it’s important to plan ahead for the most enjoyable experience. The last thing you want on race day is the stress of trying to figure out and navigate Tokyo’s extensive public transport system. Ideally, you want to be able to walk from your hotel to the start line, which is at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in west Shinjuku. Luckily, west Shinjuku is filled with great hotels in all price ranges.

[West Shinjuku: T.Yagi / Shutterstock.com]

If you can’t find anything in west Shinjuku, then staying in east Shinjuku, on the other side of the train station, is also fine: You could walk through the station and over to the start line in 20 minutes or so on race day. See my comprehensive guide to east and west Shinjuku to get a sense of what’s in the district besides the marathon starting line.

If you cannot find a place in Shinjuku, you should try to stay in a nearby hub on the Yamanote Loop Line like Shibuya or Ikebukuro. That way, you can simply board a train, ride it for a few stops and then walk to the start line.

Tokyo Holiday Essentials

Finally, if you cannot find anything in Shinjuku, Shibuya or Ikebukuro, then consider staying somewhere on the Marunouchi subway line, which stops at Nishi-shinjuku Station near the start line. The Marunouchi Line has stops in Ginza, Tokyo Station and Ohtemachi,, which are all packed with hotels, shops, restaurants etc. A quick subway ride from these hubs will get you to the starting line in about 30 minutes. One nice feature of staying in these areas is that the finish line is at Tokyo Station, so you could walk back to your hotel after the race.

Here’s a map of the Tokyo Marathon Route so you can get an idea of where to stay.

[Tokyo Marathon route map © TOKYO MARATHON FOUNDATION]

[West Shinjuku: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com]

Best Hotels in West Shinjuku for the Tokyo Marathon

As mentioned above, west Shinjuku (Nishi-Shinjuku in Japanese) is the most convenient area to the start line.

• Time to start line: 5- to 10-minute walk
• Time from finish line: 21-minute subway ride (Marunouchi Line)

Here are some great hotels in West Shinjuku:

[Park Hyatt Tokyo]

Park Hyatt Tokyo

(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Just steps from the start line, this sanctuary in the sky is the perfect base for well-heeled marathoners.

[Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo]

Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo

(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
A short walk to the start line, the Kimpton is a luxurious haven in west Shinjuku.

[Mimaru Tokyo Shinjuku West]

Mimaru Tokyo Shinjuku West

(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
The family-friendly Mimaru is super close to the start line and has all the features you need, not just for you, but for the whole family.

[Hotel Century Southern Tower]

Hotel Century Southern Tower

(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
The Century Southern Tower is one of our favorite hotels in Tokyo. It’s a great value and also close to the start line.

[Hyatt Regency Tokyo]

Hyatt Regency Tokyo

(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
The Hyatt Regency is a quick stroll from the start line and a surprisingly good value.

[JR Kyushu Blossom Hotel Shinjuku]

JR Kyushu Blossom Hotel Shinjuku

(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
The Kyushu Blossom is an excellent mid-range hotel within a short walk of the start line and the station.

[East Shinjuku: aon168 / Shutterstock.com]

Best Hotels in East Shinjuku for the Tokyo Marathon

If you cannot find a hotel in west Shinjuku, you can try in east Shinjuku, which is withing walking distance of the start line.

• Time to start line: 15- to 20-minute walk
• Time from finish line: 19-minute subway ride (Marunouchi Line)

Here are some great hotels in East Shinjuku:

[APA Hotel Shinjuku-Kabukicho Tokyo]

APA Hotel Shinjuku-Kabukicho Tokyo

(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
In the heart of bustling and bawdy Kabukicho, the APA is a budget hotel within 20 minutes’ walk of the start line.

[Hotel Gracery Shinjuku]

Hotel Gracery Shinjuku

(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
The Gracery is a good value hotel on the east side of Shinjuku within striking distance of the start line.

[Shibuya: f11photo / Shutterstock.com]

Best Hotels in Shibuya for the Tokyo Marathon

If Shinjuku is booked out, try Shibuya. It’s just three stops south of Shinjuku on the Yamanote loop line.

• Time to start line: 7-minute train ride (Yamanote Line) then 10-minute walk
• Time from finish line: 25-minute train ride (Yamanote Line) then short walk

Here are some great hotels in Shibuya:

[Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel]

Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel

(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Arguably the best hotel in Shibuya, the Cerulean Tower would make a comfortable base for the marathon.

[Shibuya Tokyu REI Hotel]

Shibuya Tokyu REI Hotel

(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Very close to Shibuya Station for an easy race day, the REI Hotel is a moderately priced hotel with high standards.

[Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu]

Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu

(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
With a direct connection to Shibuya Station, getting to the start line will be a breeze. And this place is surrounded by great restaurants.

[Ikebukuro: Det-anan / Shutterstock.com]

Best Hotels in Ikebukuro for the Tokyo Marathon

Ikebukuro is only four stops north of Shinjuku on the Yamanote loop line. It’s a popular shopping and entertainment district so it’s packed with good places to eat.

• Time to start line: 9-minute train ride (Yamanote Line)
• Time from finish line: 17-minute subway ride (Marunouchi Line)

Here are some great hotels in Ikebukuro:

[Mimaru Tokyo Ikebukuro]

Mimaru Tokyo Ikebukuro

(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
If you’re traveling with your family, you’ll love this place: The Mimaru chain specializes in family-friendly hotels with laundry facilities, multiple bathrooms, living areas and separate bedrooms.

[Tokyo Station Marunouchi side: Phattana Stock / Shutterstock.com]

Best Hotels in the Tokyo Station Area for the Tokyo Marathon

There’s a lot to be said for staying in the Tokyo Station area: You can easily jump on the Marunouchi subway line, which runs direct to Nishi-shinjuku Station for the race start, and the race finishes right at Tokyo Station, on the Marunouchi side, so that you can stagger right to your hotel for a well needed shower and rest after the race. Plus, the Tokyo Station area is crammed with great restaurants and shops.

• Time to start line: 21-minute subway ride (Marunouchi Line) then short walk
• Time from finish line: short walk

Here are some great hotels in the Tokyo Station Area:

[The Peninsula Tokyo]

The Peninsula Tokyo

(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
The Peninsula is one of the best hotels in Tokyo and it’s a short walk to two different stops on the Marunouchi Line: Tokyo Station and Ginza.

[Shangri La Hotel Tokyo]

Shangri La Hotel Tokyo

(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Located directly above Tokyo Station and very close to the Marunouchi subway stop, this is a brilliant choice for marathoners.

[Hotel Ryumeikan Tokyo]

Hotel Ryumeikan Tokyo

(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
We love this mid-range hotel just across the street from Tokyo Station. Grab a room here if you can (it’s very popular). The healthy breakfast they serve is the perfect fuel for the race.

[Ginza: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com]

Best Hotels in Ginza for the Tokyo Marathon

Ginza is a great place to be based for the marathon: Ginza Station is on the Maruouchi subway line for easy transport to the start line, and it’s also within easy walk of the finish line at Tokyo Station. And the area is one of Tokyo’s best shopping and dining districts.

• Time to start line: 22-minute subway ride (Marunouchi Line)
• Time from finish line: 10- to 20-minute walk

Here are some great hotels in Ginza:

[The Gate Hotel Tokyo]

The Gate Hotel Tokyo

(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Just steps from Ginza Station, this is a very comfortable and stylish mid-range hotel.

[Remm Hibiya Hotel]

Remm Hibiya Hotel

(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
This efficient budget business hotel has in-room massage chairs, which you’ll love after the race. And it’s very close to Ginza Station.

[Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Ginza]

Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Ginza

(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
The Solaria Nishitetsu chain is a solid mid-range value and it’s within easy walking distance of Ginza Station.

[Ohtemachi: pic0000 / Shutterstock.com]

Best Hotels in Ohtemachi for the Tokyo Marathon

Ohtemachi (sometimes written as Otemachi), which is just northwest of Tokyo Station, is a great place to be based for the Tokyo Marathon. Ohtemachi Station is on the Marunouchi subway line, so getting to the race start is easy, and the finish line is on the Marunouchi side of Tokyo Station, which is less than 10 minutes’ walk to the hotels in this district. Plus, it’s a quiet, peaceful and lovely neighborhood, with the Imperial Palace nearby for lovely strolls or runs.

• Time to start line: 22-minute subway ride (Marunouchi Line)
• Time from finish line: 5- to 10-minute walk

Here are some great hotels in Ohtemachi:

[Palace Hotel Tokyo]

Palace Hotel Tokyo

(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
The Palace Hotel is one of the finest hotels in Tokyo. If you would like to do some warm-up runs in the days before the race, you’ll appreciate the jogging route around the nearby Imperial Palace — it’s the most popular running route in the city. And, on race day, it’s a short walk to Ohtemachi Station on the Marunouchi subway line for easy race-day transport.

[Ascott Marunouchi]

Ascott Marunouchi

(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
The Ascott Marunouchi is a mid-range service apartment with excellent views. This is a great choice for those who want to do some self-catering prior to the race.

Additional Information

• Official Tokyo Marathon site (English language)
• Shinjuku Area Guide
• Tokyo Hotels
• Where to Stay in Tokyo

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