Ekiden 駅伝
Ekiden is a long-distance multi-stage relay race in Japan. The first Ekiden was held in 1917 as a 3-day, 23-stage run from Kyoto to Tokyo covering over 500km. It was a celebration to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Tokyo's establishment as the nation's capital after it was moved from Kyoto.
Since then its popularity has become widespread; schools, universities, and companies in Japan will often hold ekiden races annually and teamwork is a very important part of the race. The most famous is the Hakone Ekiden which celebrated its 100 year anniversary in January 2024 and inspired the inaugural UK Ekiden 2024!
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The Japan Society Ekiden Activity PackDownload our Ekiden Activity to learn a bit more about the race and for some fun activities. It includes a kanji writing exercise, a tasuki design activity, and a short quiz with fun facts about the race and Japan! |
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Organise your Own Ekiden Race!The inaugural UK Ekiden was held on Monday 24 June. UK Ekiden encouraged schools in the UK to be a part of the special race by holding their own mini-ekiden on the same day. Hosting an ekiden is would be a fun way for schools to learn about Japan through a Japanese sporting tradition. Download the guide for schools from UK Ekiden for suggestions on how schools can host their own mini-ekiden, suitable for their students and surrounding environment. The guide also provides more information on the history and tradition of Ekiden races in Japan. UK Ekiden website: https://ukekiden.com/schools |
Learn more about Japan
The Japan Society has a range of resources for about Japan suitable for both classroom and at home learning. Visit our Education section to learn more!
