Hatsumōde (first shrine visit of the year), osechi (celebratory feast) and Hakone Ekiden (what some people call the greatest race on earth): These are three of the Japanese New Year’s ...

Japan -- Nike shoes were once the unquestioned champion of a prominent long-distance relay race held in Japan, but now the brand has ceded ground to rival shoemakers. The annual Hakone Ekiden ...

The school finished the first day in 11th out of 21 teams. The top 10 teams at the end of Friday automatically qualify for next year's Tokyo-Hakone race.