The Hakone Ekiden: An Annual Tradition and Touchstone for Japanese Sports Fandom

Nihon University’s anchor reaches the ribbon to win the forty-first Hakone Ekiden on January 3, 1965. Nihon University won in convincing style, taking first in both the first day to Hakone and the second day of competition. Taken at the finish line in front of the Yomiuri Shimbun head office in Ginza, Tokyo. (© Jiji)

Aoyama Gakuin’s Kondō Kōtarō, at right, completes the seventh leg of the 2021 Hakone Ekiden and hands the tasuki to teammate Iwami Shūya, the eighth-leg runner. The team placed fourth this time, but has been hard to beat in recent years, winning six of the eight races since 2015. Taken at the hand-off point in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, on January 3, 2021. (© Jiji)

Ishizu Yoshiaki turns in a strong performance in the ninth leg of the 2021 Hakone Ekiden. His Sōka University team went on to place second overall. Taken on January 3 in Yokohama, Kanagawa. (© Jiji)

Komazawa University anchor Ishikawa Takuma breaks the tape to win the 2021 Hakone Ekiden. Taken on January 3 in Ōtemachi, Tokyo. (© Jiji)