A Journey Through Osaka: Running, Culture and the Spirit of Mizuno

We reflect on a journey through Osaka to discover more about Japanese culture, running and the spirit of Mizuno.

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As we stepped off the plane in Osaka, Japan, we felt a mix of excitement and anticipation. This wasn’t just any trip—it was a pilgrimage of sorts, a five-day adventure that would culminate in the Osaka Marathon, a race our very own Maryse Haynes had been training for months to conquer. But this journey was about more than just running; it was about immersing ourselves in the culture, history, and spirit of Osaka, the home of Mizuno since 1906.

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We landed late evening which meant an immediate check-in at the hotel, followed by a leisurely stroll to the first meal of many during the trip - an indoor barbecue-style meal which we cooked ourselves at our table, thankfully without any digestive repercussions.

The following morning was a visit to Mizuno’s flagship store in Osaka city centre – seven floors showcasing  the multi-sport footwear, apparel and equipment that Mizuno manufactures and a great opportunity to purchase goods not available in Europe.

But it was the afternoon that provided one of the trip’s major highlights as we moved on to the spectacular Osaka Castle and its surrounds. Here we had our first real cultural experience, partaking in a prayer session at Hokoku Shrine, followed, rather pleasingly by a substantial gulp of Sake – an unexpected source of fuel for the slightly pacy “shake-out” run that ensued around the grounds of the castle. It was at this point that the snow started to fall and Maryse started to wonder what laid in store on marathon day.

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Any doubts Maryse had were quashed the following morning as she collected her race bib from the Expo – the point of no return? The expo was awash with vibrancy – the rainbow colours that represented the marathon’s sponsors, the bustle of the stands and the noise of the live bands and dance troupes. Incredibly the expo was a mere ten minute walk to our next stop, Mizuno’s new research and development centre, “The Engine”. A huge, modern glistening glass building crammed with technological equipment and laboratories, enabling the brand to innovate and progress its running products. We even got a sneak peek at what products are on the horizon over the next year.

Race day arrived, and we woke up with a mix of nerves and excitement, the nerves mainly from the fact it was literally freezing - minus 3 degrees at 6am! However, the streets of Osaka were alive with energy as almost 37,000 runners gathered at the starting line as we found ourselves once again under the shadow of Osaka Castle. Our buzz was for Maryse; We couldn’t wait to chase her round the route to lend our support and capture race content – a mission led by our supremely talented photographer Tom Connor.

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Out on the course we came to understand the magnitude of the trip – Mizuno was represented by almost 150 people from 22 nations and as their runners swept through the falling snow in a blur of blue and red, Tom’s shutter finger was working overtime. The blue half of the kit represented composure, the rational side to the run. The red half represented passion and the desire to push towards the end goal. The Japanese name for this combination – ONIHAYAI.

Maryse was sensational, a beautifully paced run, negative split and superb 3:51 clocking. Job done. Mizuno’s shuttle buses whisked us out of the castle grounds to a huge post-race meal – all 150 of the aforementioned attendees united under one roof in celebration.

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We ended our wonderful journey the next day with a short coach trip to Japan’s former capital Kyoto – a city that felt like stepping back in time. The serene temples, lush gardens, and traditional tea houses were a stark contrast to Osaka’s modernity and neon lights. Strolling through the legendary grounds of Kinkaku-ji, we felt a sense of peace and accomplishment – this was the perfect way to unwind and reflect on an incredible journey.

In conclusion, our trip to Japan was more than just a running adventure; it was a journey of discovery and quite possibly a once in a lifetime opportunity. From the flavour of authentic Japanese cuisine to the innovation of Mizuno’s R&D facility, from the spiritual calm of a prayer session to the historic beauty of Osaka Castle and Kyoto, every moment was a reminder of why we love running and exploring new places. As we boarded the plane home, we knew that this trip would stay with us forever – a testament to the power of running to connect us to the world and to ourselves.

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Discover the 2025 Mizuno Road Range here

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This article was written by Graham Johnson, Mizuno Marketing Manager UK.

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About Mizuno

Mizuno is a sporting equipment manufacturer established in Japan in 1906. In addition to developing and marketing products for a wide range of sports, including running, handball, volleyball, football, and golf, the company is also committed to increasing the availability of sporting equipment and promoting sports. Every one of the 115 years since its foundation, Mizuno has taken special pride and pleasure in being able to innovate and provide sports equipment of the highest quality. Each technological advancement strives to create unique sporting equipment and apparel that helps all athletes be the best athlete they can be no matter the sport or the conditions. Mizuno believes that each and every person is guided by the ideal of true sportsmanship. It’s the company’s philosophy which states its mission of "contributing to society through the advancement of sporting goods and the promotion of sports."

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