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.
Did you know? Ekiden was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2025! Following on from the success of the inaugral UK Ekiden in 2024, the third UK Ekiden will take place in June 2026.
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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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Host Your Own Mini Ekiden!Ekiden is an annual event in the UK organised by UK Ekiden – the first race took place in June 2024. UK Ekiden encourages schools in the UK to be a part of the special race and supports them by providing a mini-ekiden box with everything they need to host their own mini-ekiden. Hosting an ekiden brings Japanese culture to life for students through movement, teamwork, and fun! Visit the UK Ekiden website to apply for a box or download the guide for schools on how to host your own mini ekiden, suitable for your pupils 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 |
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Learn more about Japan
The Japan Society has a range of resources all about Japan suitable for both classroom and at home learning. Visit our Education section to learn more!
