What is the Hakone Ekiden?
Ever wondered why 駅伝 (Ekiden, relay road race) occupies such a visible place in winter in Japan? The 箱根 (Hakone, Hakone) Ekiden, formally the Tokyo-Hakone Round-Trip University Ekiden Race, is a two-day university relay run between 大手町 (Otemachi, Otemachi) in Tokyo and Hakone in 神奈川 (Kanagawa, Kanagawa). It first started in 1920 as a test of endurance and coordination among university athletes, and today it’s one of Japan's most watched sporting events.
Compared to back home, the way communities line the route feels intimate, almost familial. Ten runners form a team, each passing a sash called a 襷 (tasuki, relay sash) to the next runner. What I especially like is how the sash is more than just an object; it’s a public promise: the effort of one hands its weight to another.
Race structure and university teams
No wonder the format is precise and traditional; teams arrive prepared like artisans getting their tools ready. The race covers approximately 217 kilometres round trip, split into ten legs across two days. Day one is the outward journey to Hakone, while day two is the return to Tokyo.
Stages and distance
Quick detour: each leg varies between roughly 20 and 23 kilometres, with hills and coastal stretches that test different strengths. Some legs are flat and fast, while others climb toward Hakone's mountain passes, so teams select runners according to terrain, much like craftspeople choose knives for different cuts. The overall distance and leg profiles create tactical depth that rewards both stamina and team strategy.
How teams qualify and compete
Unlike what we're used to in single-day road races, the Hakone Ekiden has a laddered entry system. The top teams from the previous year are seeded, and other universities vie for the remaining spots in qualifying events. Television coverage on NHK turns many of the matchups into household conversation, and rivalries deepen with decades of history behind them.
Hakone and Kanagawa: more than a finish line
Fact: Hakone sits in Kanagawa prefecture, just a short train ride from central Tokyo but with a different pace entirely. When the race reaches Hakone, local ryokan, onsen, and small shops feel the presence of the event days in advance. The town's economy is a ripple system; guesthouses fill, shops extend hours, and even riverboats see more passengers.
On a related note, for residents, the race isn’t just a sporting spectacle. It’s a civic calendar marker, a winter event that mobilises volunteers and local municipalities. I remember standing on a roadside in 小田原 (Odawara, Odawara), seeing families and school groups volunteer to hand out water. Their sleeves were rolled up, showcasing the kind of civic participation that anchors the event to place.
Watching, learning, and language
Fun fact: many Japanese learners use the Hakone Ekiden to practice listening since the commentators repeat vocabulary and team names slowly. If you’re studying romaji, following team names and announcer calls is a concrete, enjoyable exercise. My tip? Note the names of the university teams and the sash colours, then make short flashcards. The repetition on TV is quiet tuition.
Before I forget, broadcasters often show split times, leg rankings, and historical notes. Those numbers are helpful for learners of both language and context. I keep a small notebook when I watch because it turns passive viewing into a study session without feeling like one.
On the flip side, the crowds can be large, and spaces narrow. If you plan to see a leg live, arrive early and respect local directions. Highly recommended: find a café or small shrine near the course and observe the rhythm of pre- and post-run rituals rather than trying to follow the entire race on foot.
What stays with me are the small domestic scenes: a woman sweeping fallen leaves near a roadside, an old man snapping photos, teenagers in university jackets cheering for their alma mater. These are the human textures that make the Hakone Ekiden a cultural fixture as much as an athletic contest. See what I mean?
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Hakone Ekiden take place?
The race runs annually on January 2 and 3.
How long is the race?
The round trip covers roughly 217 kilometres, split into ten legs over two days.
Who competes in the race?
University teams from the Kanto region and qualifying universities compete, fielding ten runners per team.
