Tokyo Marathon 2026 Plogging Event in Asakusa

The Tokyo Marathon 2026 Plogging Event was held on Saturday, February 28, the day before the race in the Asakusa area, which is also part of the marathon course. "Plogging" is a new SDGs experience sport that originated in Sweden, combining the words for trash picking ("Plocka Upp") and "Jogging." The Tokyo Marathon is made possible not only by the runners but also by the support of staff, volunteers, and the people of the host city, Tokyo. With gratitude to the city of Tokyo, the event was held again this year, with the theme "The Day Tokyo Blossoms in." This marked the third consecutive year of the event.

Approximately 50 people from Japan and overseas participated in this year's plogging event. The runners put on work gloves, carried plastic bags, and split into four groups divided into three time slots to jog through the early morning streets of Asakusa.

Blessed with fine weather, Saturday's Asakusa was bustling with tourists from the morning. Even amid such crowds, the streets were beautifully cleaned, but upon careful inspection of the roads, cigarette butts, empty cans, and the like were discarded. In inconspicuous back alleys, empty bottles were also left behind. While jogging, the runners carefully picked up each piece of such garbage. They also sorted it meticulously into categories like combustible waste, cans, bottles, and PET bottles.

Miyuki Ouchi, who participated continuously from last year, shared the appeal of plogging like this: "It's really fun to call out to everyone, say 'Nice!' or something, and pick up garbage while running. By doing that, you can become friends with runners you've met for the first time, and though you're picking up garbage, it feels like you're picking up fun feelings." Incidentally, after enjoying the plogging event, Ms. Ouchi headed toward the "Tokyo Marathon Friendship Run 2026," held on the same day at the Taito Riverside Sports Center Athletics Field. She smiled and told us, "I'm enjoying the events as a set, continuing from last year!"

On the other hand, what makes the "Tokyo Marathon 2026 Plogging Event" distinctive is that rickshaw pullers, who usually guide around Asakusa by human-powered rickshaw, accompany as guides. This year as well, starting from Kaminarimon Gate, they ran together through Kannon-dori, Denboin-dori, Bentendo, Senso-ji Temple's Nitenmon, and more, introducing the highlights of the city. Not only overseas runners but also Japanese runners witnessed Asakusa's lesser-known famous spots, historic sites, and important cultural properties, raising voices of admiration. It seemed that a special experience was added beyond just garbage pickup and running.

Rickshaw pullers Koji Yoshida and Tatsuo Kanuma reflected: "Running and picking up garbage together with the runners left our hearts feeling refreshed and clean. We feel like we gave something back to Asakusa" and "It's made tomorrow's Tokyo Marathon even more exciting—our cheering energy is at an all-time high! " For the rickshaw pullers too, the plogging event of running together with runners appeared to be a fresh experience and made them feel even more relatable to the Tokyo Marathon .

The plogging event was held under the theme of "The Day Tokyo Blossoms in," with the hope for Tokyo to take a step into the future and truly shine. The actions of each and every runner who participated brought us one step closer to realizing "The Day Tokyo Blossoms in." There are plans to continue engaging in various activities in the future so that the city of Tokyo will continue to thrive and shine even brighter.

Yasukuni-dori Cleanup Activity

Additionally, on Monday, March 2, the day after the Tokyo Marathon 2026, a cleanup activity as part of the Tokyo Running Festa was conducted on Yasukuni-dori, which is part of the race course. 

Fourteen people participated in the cleanup activity along the Yasukuni-dori sidewalk from Jimbocho intersection to Sudacho intersection. One participant, who had run as a runner, joined with the sentiment, "Tokyo Marathon was really fun, so I wanted to give back." Furthermore, those who supported the event as volunteers and those who cheered along the course also joined. Everyone conducted the cleanup activity with heartfelt dedication.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all who participated in the event, the local residents, and everyone who supported the event. From now on, let's all—runners, supporters, and cheerers—connect to create a clean Tokyo!

Kireina (Clean) Shibuya Project with Harajuku Gaien Junior High School

On Monday, March 9, a week after the Tokyo Marathon 2026, as part of the Tokyo Running Festa, we organized a trash-picking event together with people from Harajuku Gaien Junior High School and local residents in the Japan National Stadium, Sendagaya and Harajuku areas.

Students in the third grade also conducted a trash-picking activity in the Shibuya area and spent two hours cleaning up the local area, focusing on Fire-dori. 

In addition to the local residents, graduates of Harajuku Gaien Junior High School and those who volunteered to manage the course at the Tokyo Marathon 2026 also participated in the event. 

We would like to thank everyone who participated in the Tokyo Marathon 2026 Plogging Event, Tokyo Running Festa Cleanup Activity and Kireina (Clean) Shibuya Project with Harajuku Gaien Junior High School. 

The Tokyo Marathon will continue to engage in connecting to create a clean Tokyo together with all —runners, supporters, and cheerers — with the theme "The Day Tokyo Blossoms in."