Hakone Ekiden Museum

Overview

The Hakone Ekiden Museum celebrates the Tokyo–Hakone Ekiden, one of Japan's most watched sporting events — a two-day, ten-section relay marathon covering 217.1 km between central Tokyo and the Hakone turnabout point beside Lake Ashi.

Highlights

• Race History: Exhibits chronicling over 100 years of the Ekiden's history, from its founding in 1920 to dramatic modern-day finishes.
• Runner Profiles: Stories and memorabilia of legendary runners who have conquered the grueling mountain stage of the relay.
• Turnabout Point: The museum sits beside the actual turnabout point where runners on the final stage reach Hakone before heading back to Tokyo — marked by a monument outside.

History

The Hakone Ekiden was first run on February 14, 1920, organized to train Japanese long-distance runners for the Olympics. It is now held annually on January 2–3 and is watched by an estimated television audience of over 60 million — roughly half of Japan.

Visitor Tips

• January 2-3: Visiting during the actual race is an electrifying experience, with spectators lining the roadsides.
• Compact: The museum is small and can be visited quickly, complementing a trip to the nearby Hakone Checkpoint.
• Duration: 20–30 minutes.