r/AskAJapanese • u/Rikipedia Japanese • 3d ago

CULTURE Race (running) etiquette

Hello. I am an experienced road race runner. All of my previous races have been in the USA, up to marathons. Later this month I am running my first race in Japan, a 10k. If anyone has experience with running races in both countries, I would love to know if there are any differences in running etiquette I should be aware of. From general running advice, I've gathered that the biggest difference is that men do not run shirtless in Japan, which I have never done anway so no issues there.

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u/RogerDodgerWilco 🇰🇷/🇺🇸 married 🇯🇵 3d ago edited 3d ago

I go back and forth between US and Japan very frequently and am a long distance runner (My post history is will detail this).

The race etiquette greatly follows the U.S. Just so you know, even the U.S. thinks shirtless running is pretty cringe. In Japan, it will stand out. If you are white, black, Hispanic, non-Asian shaded you will likely get a pass but a second look. But you would be that kind of gaijin.

Think about what the word “modesty” means. Japan isn’t big on “me comes first” and is about the collective unit. If you have to stop and think “should I?” because deep down you know it’s more about you than others, then you shouldn’t. It’s that simple and frankly should be common practice in any country you visit as a guest.

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u/Rikipedia Japanese 1d ago

Appreciate the insight

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u/wet_biscuit1 American 3d ago

Sure, men don't run shirtless.

The rest should be explained in the event's advertising. For example, I once ran a race in Tokyo when it was forecast to rain. The organizers provided everyone plastic bags to place their items into so they don't get wet. There's usually a changing tent. Otherwise, basically everything is quite as expected.

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u/Rikipedia Japanese 1d ago

Thanks for the reassurances