The 57th Hofu Yomiuri Marathon starts in Hofu City, Yamaguchi, on Sunday, December 6, 2026. If you are not running, the day matters for one reason: roads along the course close in stages, from 9:40 to 15:00. This guide lists the closure times from the official map and the official notes on parking, shuttle buses and trains.
In short
- The race starts at 10:40 on Sunday, December 6, 2026. The time limit is 4 hours, so the course closes at 14:40.
- Roads close in 10 sections. The earliest closure begins at 9:40 and the latest ends at 15:00.
- Runner entry has closed (general entry July 6, elite entry September 30).
- By train, go to JR Hofu Station on the JR Sanyo Main Line. A free shuttle bus runs from there to the venue.
Checked with official pages on October 11, 2026.
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1. When does the race start?
Hofu Yomiuri Marathon organizers
The race starts at 10:40 on Sunday, December 6, and the time limit is 4 hours, to 14:40. The starting gun sets the clock. There are cut-off points along the course, and runners who fall far behind are stopped. Runner check-in is the same day, from 7:30 to 10:00, at Daikyo Nishikawa Square Salt Arena Hofu. Race outline (official, Japanese)
The course is a certified 42.195 km. The race also counts as part of the MGC Series 2026–27 (men’s G1, women’s G3). KRY Yamaguchi Broadcasting covers it on TV and radio. Runner entry has closed. The runner fee was ¥13,000, with 3,500 places.
2. What is the course?
Hofu Yomiuri Marathon organizers
According to the official outline, the race starts on the prefectural road in front of Salt Arena Hofu. It turns at Tajima in Hofu City and finishes at Daikyo Nishikawa Square Athletics Stadium. Part of the course changed from the 57th race. The official course video shows the changes. Course and access (official, Japanese)
3. When and where are roads closed?
Official traffic control map
Closures start at 9:40 in the earliest section and the last section reopens at 15:00, so the time depends on where you are on the course. The table lists the 10 sections on the official “marathon course and traffic control plan” map, in order of closing time. Start and end times are approximate. While a section is closed, vehicles cannot drive on it or cross it, and pedestrians and bicycles are also restricted from crossing the course. Traffic control map (official PDF, Japanese)
Intersection names are as printed on the Japanese map, so you can match them with the PDF and local signs. The official map gives no English readings. Where the name is a landmark, an English hint is in brackets.
| From | To | Closed |
|---|---|---|
| 廣政鉄工所北西交差点 | ソルトアリーナ防府南交差点 (Salt Arena Hofu South) | 9:40–12:45 |
| ソルトアリーナ防府南交差点 | 陸上競技場 (athletics stadium) | 9:40–15:00 |
| ソルトアリーナ防府南交差点 | 横入川交差点 | 10:30–15:00 |
| 陸上競技場 (athletics stadium) | デルタ工業北西角地交差点 (Delta Kogyo) | 10:30–12:45 |
| 横入川交差点 | 浜方交差点 | 10:55–12:15 |
| 横入川交差点 | ウォンツ鋳物師店交差点 (Wants drugstore) | 10:55–15:00 |
| ウォンツ鋳物師店交差点 (Wants drugstore) | 市役所前交差点 (City Hall) | 11:30–14:30 |
| 佐波一丁目交差点 | 市役所前交差点 (City Hall) | 11:35–14:20 |
| 植松交差点 | 潮合交差点 | 11:45–14:05 |
| 潮合交差点 | the turnaround point (out and back) | 11:50–14:00 |
The area around Salt Arena Hofu, where the race starts and finishes, closes first, at 9:40.
4. What changes for large vehicles?
Official traffic control map
Large vehicles travelling between the Yamaguchi/Shunan direction and the Nakanoseki Port direction are meant to use the official detour while the roads are closed. The map shows traffic control planned from 10:30 to 12:45 on that route. For the Nakanoseki Port direction, the detour turns left at the Okiimajuku 2-chome intersection (沖今宿二丁目交差点) and uses the old National Route 2.
Large vehicles coming from the national road side cannot turn right or left from 11:35 to 14:20 (planned). The back of the map has enlarged drawings of the intersections, so check the PDF if you will be driving through.
5. How do I get there by car or train?
Hofu Yomiuri Marathon organizers
On the Sanyo Expressway, leave at Hofu-Nishi I.C. from the Shimonoseki side, or at Hofu-Higashi I.C. from the Hiroshima side. The official site says the venue is about 25 minutes from either exit. It notes that you cannot exit at the other I.C. in each direction. By train, take the JR Sanyo Main Line to Hofu Station.
The official parking notice is addressed to runners. It lists two temporary car parks. The one next to Salt Arena Hofu costs ¥1,500 per car, and parking tickets sold out on September 2. The Shiosai Ichiba Hofu temporary car park is free and needs no ticket. Neither takes medium-sized vehicles (11 seats or more). Parking ticket notice (official, Japanese)
The official Q&A says a free shuttle bus runs to Salt Arena Hofu from the Minato-guchi exit of JR Hofu Station and from the west car park of the roadside station Shiosai Ichiba. Q&A (official, Japanese)
6. Where can I watch, and who do I ask?
Hofu Yomiuri Marathon organizers
The official site does not name spots for spectators or give spectator parking; ask the organizers before you go. The race office is at 7-1 Kotobuki-cho, Hofu City, Yamaguchi. Google Maps. Phone: 0835-25-2274. The official site does not say whether staff answer in English.
Common questions
Can I still enter the race?
No. Entry has closed: general entry closed on July 6 and elite entry on September 30.
When is the race cancelled?
According to the official outline, the race is cancelled if a government body requests it, or if a natural disaster or similar makes safe operation difficult.
Is there a shuttle bus?
The official Q&A says a free shuttle bus runs from Hofu Station (Minato-guchi exit) and from the Shiosai Ichiba west car park to the venue.
7. Is there another marathon in Yamaguchi soon?
Shimonoseki Kaikyo Marathon organizers
The Shimonoseki Kaikyo Marathon is on Sunday, November 1, 2026. See the official website (Japanese) for details.
Sources (checked October 2026)
7 pages we checked
- Hofu Yomiuri Marathon: race outline (official, Japanese)
- Hofu Yomiuri Marathon: traffic control map, PDF (official, Japanese)
- Hofu Yomiuri Marathon: course and access (official, Japanese)
- Hofu Yomiuri Marathon: parking ticket notice (official, Japanese)
- Hofu Yomiuri Marathon: Q&A (official, Japanese)
- Hofu Yomiuri Marathon: entry (official, Japanese)
- Shimonoseki Kaikyo Marathon: outline (official, Japanese)
