FAQ's

The Yamathon is a community impact fund raising challenge organized by International Volunteer Group (IVG) - Japan, where teams of two to four people walk around the 30 stations of Tokyo’s JR Yamanote line, in less than 12 hours, and take pictures of their team at each one of the stations. The Yamanote line is Japan’s busiest and most important commuter rail line which circles the capital.

Full Yamathon: Start and finish: Tokyo Building TOKIA (Marunouchi) Half Yamathon: Start: Tokyo TOKIA Building (Marunouchi) Finish: JR Mejiro Station

The Yamathon is not a running event, therefore, we do not encourage running. If you do jog, please follow the traffic rules whenever necessary. Obey all traffic laws and traffic signals. Obey any instructions given by police. There will be no road closures and teams will use the everyday pavements (sidewalks) of Tokyo alongside other road users. You must follow our safety guidelines and all team members must finish together as a team.

FULL YAMATHON: At a gentle walking pace it takes about 12 hours, depending on how well your team plan the route and other factors, i.e., breaks, weather. HALF YAMATHON: It is approximately 21kms to Meijiro Station. It should take 5 to 6 hours at a gentle walking pace.

Smartphone users will be sent an online Google map before the event. However, the suggested route is really just a guide to help you plan a course. You are allowed to make as many shortcuts as long as you visit all 30 stations. Part of the challenge is navigating for yourself!

Those who are navigational geniuses may complete the event in 38km. Others who follow the train line may take 44km. It really depends on which route you take. We encourage shortcuts, as long you take a photo outside all 30 stations!

12 hours is a target time and something to aim for. You will not be disqualified if you do not complete the Yamathon in 12 hours.

For the Tokyo Yamathon entry, we use RUNNET to manage all event registrations. RUNNET is a widely-used platform in Japan for race and endurance event sign-ups, offering participants an easy way to register, handle payments, and access event details. Please Note: RUNNET is not an IVG-Japan service. We use RUNNET just like many other running, walking and endurance events in Japan, which means we do not own, manage the platform or have access rights to your registration data . As a result, we cannot make any changes to your registration information, such as team details, name adjustments, or other support requests. If you need to update your registration or require support, you must visit your registration page on RUNNET and request help through their services. Since we do not have access to RUNNET’s internal systems, we cannot guarantee a timely or satisfactory response to your requests—this is entirely up to RUNNET to address. Please note that RUNNET controls all payment services. If you encounter any issues with your payments or need a receipt, you will need to contact RUNNET's support team directly for assistance. As a user, you have paid a fee to use RUNNET's services and receive support, so be sure to make the most of it and get your money's worth.

For safety reasons (overcrowding on footpaths, etc.) , the team size is limited to a maximum of 4 people. We realize that it may be a problem for some people to get a team of 4 people together, so to make it easier to join our event you can even apply with 2 members! The Yamathon is a team event, therefore we do not accept individual entries for the event. We have implemented this since the beginning of the Yamathon and we have this requirement in place to ensure participant safety.

The event entry fee per team is 14,000 yen. The entire amount of this donation will be distributed to vetted NPOs for their community impact projects. We carefully review and select projects to support with the annual Yamathon event produced by IVG-Japan. *Please note: RUNNET charges an additional fee.

Entries must be received by 23:59, Monday, 30 September.

Founded in 2007, we are a group of English-speaking volunteers. Yes we are international – from Japan, UK, Canada, India, US, Australia, and a host of other countries. Yes, we are volunteers – we work hard to come up with fantastic ideas to raise funds for people and projects that need them.

Our vision at International Volunteer Group - Japan is to cultivate a brighter tomorrow through our events and fundraising projects, both locally and globally. With a focus on three core pillars - Environment, Health and Well-being, and Social Development - we aim to inspire positive change and empowerment for future generations. Through our initiatives, we envision a world where sustainability, wellness, and social cohesion thrive, ensuring a prosperous and inclusive future for all.

The International Volunteer Group of Japan (IVG) is dedicated to leveraging resources and mobilizing support for projects that champion the well-being and prosperity offuture generations both within Japan and across the globe. With a steadfast commitment to three core pillars – Environment Preservation, Health and Well-being, and Social Development – we strive to cultivate positive change and empower communities.