Volunteer With Us
Helping more than 10,000 runners and visitors enjoy the Tohoku Food Marathon & Festival to the fullest — that's the volunteers' job. But more than anything, our organizing team's goal is simple: we want our volunteers to have a great time too!
A message from Tanaka, Volunteer Coordinator
Volunteer Perks
A T-shirt!
All volunteers receive this T-shirt as a gift.
※This photo shows the 2026 design. The 2027 design will be revealed at a later date.
What Volunteering Looks Like
Apply here (links to a Google Form)
※Please note the application form is currently only available in Japanese.
About Parking
- Parking requires advance registration. (Free of charge — there is a field for it on the application form.)
- If you have not registered for parking, you will not be able to park at the venue. Please register when you apply.
- A parking pass is only needed if you're driving to the venue on race day (4/18). Volunteers helping with setup on 4/17 or cleanup on 4/19 do not need a parking pass.
How to Apply & Program Details
Activity Dates
- Saturday, April 17, 2027 — Pre-event setup (midday through evening)
- Saturday, April 17, 2027 — Setup help for just 1–2 hours (join whenever you're free)
- Sunday, April 18, 2027 — Race day, 7:00–16:00 (may end earlier depending on cleanup progress)
- Monday, April 19, 2027 — Morning cleanup
Whether you can join for just one day or multiple days, we'd love to have you — you can choose your preferred date(s) when you apply.
Capacity
- 1,000 volunteers total across all four dates
Activities
Saturday, April 17 — Pre-event Setup
| Activities | Venue setup and preparation |
|---|---|
| Location | Naganuma Footopia Park and along the course |
Sunday, April 18 — Race Day
| Activities |
|
|---|---|
| Activity Hours (planned) | 7:00–16:00 |
| Location | Naganuma Footopia Park and along the course |
Monday, April 19 — Morning Cleanup
| Activities | Venue teardown and cleanup |
|---|---|
| Location | Naganuma Footopia Park and along the course |
Course Map
What You'll Receive
A staff T-shirt and light refreshments
Eligibility
You must be at least an elementary school student by the event date.
Elementary school volunteers must apply together with a parent or guardian.
Accommodation
- We plan to offer free lodging for volunteers traveling from farther away. Please note that accommodations will be simple — community centers, gymnasiums, and similar facilities.
- Please arrange your own transportation to and from the lodging, as well as any amenities and meals — there may not be a convenience store nearby.
- Advance registration is required to use the lodging. If you don't register, you won't be able to stay. Please be sure to apply (available on a first-come, first-served basis).
Parking
- Parking will be available near the main venue, Naganuma Footopia Park.
- Advance registration is required to use the parking lot. (Free of charge — there is a field for it on the application form.)
- If you have not registered for parking, you will not be able to park at the venue. Please register when you apply.
- Parking spaces are limited, so we appreciate carpooling with family or friends where possible.
- A parking pass is only needed if you're driving to the venue on race day (4/18). Volunteers helping with setup on 4/17 or cleanup on 4/19 do not need a parking pass.
Requirements to Participate
- You have had a health checkup and been found to be in good health (please arrange your own checkup).
- You agree to the terms of application.
If the contact email address you provide is a Japanese mobile carrier address (ezweb.ne.jp, docomo.ne.jp, or i.softbank.jp), volunteer information sent by our office may be blocked by that carrier's spam filter settings. Please check your spam filter settings before entering your address.
Important Notes (please read carefully and agree to the following before applying)
- The organizer will decide your activity location and duties. We may not always be able to accommodate your preferences, so we appreciate your understanding. You may also be asked to work alongside other individual or group volunteers.
- Please wear clothing you can move easily in on the day (pants, sneakers, etc.).
- There is no baggage storage area. Please manage your own belongings (e.g., in a backpack) and watch out for theft or loss. The organizer bears no responsibility for lost valuables or belongings.
- In principle, please travel to your activity location by public transportation, by car with family, or on foot (we are planning to provide parking for Areas A–J, but we may not always be able to accommodate everyone's preference, so we appreciate your understanding).
- If you are applying as part of a group and a member becomes unable to participate, please select a replacement and promptly notify the organizing office.
- Even if it rains on race day, volunteer activities will continue at their designated locations unless the event itself is canceled (you cannot work while holding an umbrella — please bring a raincoat, towel, etc.).
- The organizer will enroll all volunteers in accident insurance as a group (at no cost to you). Coverage is subject to the terms of the policy (coverage may not apply if you do not follow the organizer's instructions or if your conduct is judged inappropriate).
- Rights to video, photos, and other records taken during volunteer activities (including briefing sessions), for use on TV, in newspapers, magazines, online, etc., as well as related portrait rights, belong to the organizer.
- Naming rights are granted only to sponsor companies and other organizations approved by the organizing committee. Volunteer-only groups may not use the name or trademark "Tohoku Food Marathon 2027" for their own organization's advertising or PR purposes.
How We Handle Your Personal Information
- The organizer recognizes the importance of personal information and handles it in compliance with Japan's Act on the Protection of Personal Information and related laws.
- Your personal information may be used to smoothly run volunteer operations related to the event — including communicating activity details, briefing session notices, absence management, sending related materials, confirming your registration, requesting reports or surveys, and applying for accident insurance.
- We may contact you about volunteering for future events as well.
- The organizer may share collected personal information with related businesses and contractors, to the extent necessary for operating this event and future volunteer programs. Those businesses and contractors may also contact you to confirm details of your application.
Other Information
The organizer carries insurance. In the event of injury, we will respond within the scope of coverage.
Application Period
Saturday, September 12, 2026 – 23:59 on Sunday, March 14, 2027
