In 2022 the Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon and Osaka Marathon were held together. For 2023 the name of the marathon will be Osaka and both men and women can run the race.

The original male-only competition was first held in 1946 and, having taken place every year since then, it is Japan's oldest annual marathon race. The early editions of the race were held in Osaka until a switch to Tokyo occurred for the 1963–65 marathons, and all subsequent races thereafter were held in Otsu, near Lake Biwa, where the race gets its name. It is sponsored by Mainichi.

The race begins and ends at the Ojiyama Stadium. The Lake Biwa Marathon has been selected as the Japanese national marathon championships on dozens of occasions, starting in 1960. The current course record for the competition is 2:06:13 set by Wilson Kipsang at the 2011 edition.