The breathtaking views and the sense of freedom of the islanders' large party are irresistible. The appeal of the Yoron Marathon

Pushed by the beautiful scenery and cheers, even beginners can enjoy the race and reach the finish line

The Yoron Marathon is held every March on Yoron Island, the southernmost island of Kagoshima Prefecture, on the border with Okinawa Prefecture. Both the full marathon, which goes around the island twice, and the half marathon, which goes around the island once, are courses that allow you to fully enjoy the beautiful scenery of the blue sea. The time limit for the full marathon is seven hours, and for the half marathon it is five hours, and the relaxed "island time" setting is also appealing.

Every year, there are about 1,000 participants, including the full and half marathons, so there is no need to take positions before the start. The start and finish points are in Chahana village, where the old town hall is located. There is a beach right next to it, so it's a great location where you can jump into the blue sea after finishing.

The Yoron Marathon course has many ups and downs, and at Shoryu Bridge, 7 kilometers before the finish line, you will encounter the greatest elevation change of the course. However, at the top of the hill, there is a famous aid station where you can enjoy local dishes such as goat soup.

On the day of the marathon, the whole island is in a frenzy. After finishing the race, participants are offered a brown sugar or ginger drink to soothe their tired bodies, as well as a mugwort massage. With the beautiful scenery and the warm support from the islanders, even first-time marathon participants are sure to have a fun time reaching the finish line.

Have fun before and after the marathon. Drink and dance at the pre- and post-marathon parties.

Welcome party/Finisher party

Even veteran runners get nervous the day before the marathon, but there's no need to worry about that at the Yoron Marathon. The welcome party on the night before the race is a huge drinking and dancing party. Advance registration is required and there is a fee, but most people participate.

What's more, the after-party "Finisher's Party" held just after the finish line is even more of a party. Many people keep it moderate at the pre-party as they are thinking about the marathon the next day, but once they reach the finish line, after a toast of "good job," people start drinking more and more. There is also a service where they serve free Yoron Island's original brown sugar shochu "Shima Arisen." Drinking Shima Arisen from a large glass is something special.

There are also Eisa, Ryukyu dance, hula dancing and live music performances, and the runners and islanders come together to have a great time. Many people participate more to enjoy the eve of the festival and the after-party than to run. It's like an island festival and a marathon all in one, and you can't experience this fun in other regional marathons on Yoron Island.

The enchanting blue is the best view on the marathon course

If you visit the island for the marathon, be sure to enjoy the beautiful sea views of Yoron. The slope overlooking Oganeku Coast, one of the most spectacular views on the marathon course, is a place you won't be able to stay long at during the marathon, but it's definitely worth visiting again and taking your time. You'll lose track of time as you gaze upon the engrossing blue that spreads out before your eyes.

Below this is a famous spot called the "Time Tunnel," which is literally a "hidden spot." This spot cannot be seen from the marathon course. From a tunnel-like hole in a large rock, you can see the beautiful, clear blue sea and sky.

A heavenly, phantom island. Yurigahama Beach is a must-see when touring Yoron Island.

There are many scenic spots on Yoron Island, but Yurigahama Beach stands out above all others. It is a "phantom island" that only appears for a few days a month, when the tide is low, and for a few hours at that time. The timing of the 2019 Yoron Marathon is extremely fortunate, and it is scheduled to appear on any day of the day before, the day of, or the day after the race.

To get to Yurigahama, you need to take a boat about 1.5 kilometers offshore from Oganeku Beach. All you can see is the white sand island and the crystal clear blue sea. You'll feel like you're in heaven.

A railway linking Kagoshima and Okinawa? A romantic monument: "Yoron Station"

The last place we'll introduce is Yoron Station. Like Okinawa Island and Amami Oshima, Yoron Island does not have a railway. However, there is a monument called Yoron Station on the island, which is loved as a famous spot.

At Yoron Station, there is a station sign with the name of the neighboring station, "Okinawa/Kagoshima," as well as about five meters of rails and wheels donated by the Kagoshima Railway Bureau.

The reason this station was built was because of National Route 58, which crosses the sea from Kagoshima to Okinawa. Yoron Station was built as a relay point on the longest national route in Japan, which stretches a total of 880 kilometers from Kagoshima City to Tanegashima, Amami Oshima, and the main island of Okinawa. There's something romantic about the invisible rails that stretch out into the blue sea.

The Yoron Marathon is a joy to experience, with beautiful island scenery and the warm hospitality of the local people, from children to the elderly. Many islanders will greet and see you off at the airport and port, saying "Welcome home" when you arrive on the island and "See you again" when you leave.

Due to its comfortable atmosphere, most of the participants are repeat participants, so why not try your hand at your first marathon?