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Nohara Running Station: Yoyogi Park [Closed]

Mizuno makes running in Tokyo that much easier

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The location on this page has been reported permanently closed.

Last updated: Jul 26, 2019

Runners, rejoice!

Tokyo is a notoriously inconvenient city to run in. That's why Japanese sports gear maker Mizuno set up Nohara, a runners' station next to Yoyogi Park. Opened in April, 2014, "Nohara by Mizuno" offers runners a very convenient place to shower, lock up their belongings, stretch, eat and shop while pounding the pavement in one of the biggest and greenest parks in the city. The Nohara runners' station is designed to make you feel like you're at a friend's house, and with its wide range of services and comfortable facilities, it succeeds. Here's what it has to offer:

Shower and Locker Rooms

Locker and shower rooms make it possible for people to run Yoyogi Park as a part of their routine, even if they don't live nearby. The facilities are immaculately clean and thoughtfully designed to give you all the comfort and privacy you need. Visitors can use these facilities for a price of 700 yen per day, while members get it for a reduced price of 500 yen (a 1-year memberships costs 5,000 yen). There are also shoe lockers that can be rented out monthly, to keep you from carrying your gear back and forth every day. Towel rental is available for 200 yen. These facilities are open from 7am-10pm, with some deviation for seasonal hours.

Café

The café is a bright and friendly space to be enjoyed by runners and the general public alike. With breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus, the cafe is available for any meal of the day, or even just a post-run smoothie. As you can expect, the menu is very health-centric. As you might not expect, the food is also delicious. The café also serves desserts and alcohol, because let's be honest: you need to reward yourself for your hard work every now and then. The café is open from 7am-10pm, and has English menus as well.

Fitness Studio

Running isn't the only way to stay fit. Mizuno Nohara has a beautiful fitness studio with huge windows that keeps it bright and cheerful. The studio is a flurry of activity. It can be booked for stretching and/or personal training sessions with Nohara's knowledgeable staff in the afternoons (call ahead to reserve). Mornings and evenings have a variety of classes including yoga, pomba, ballet, and shape-up sessions. There are also plenty of experts coming in for special events. Recent events have included a nutrition class focused on using granola into your cooking, and a rock wall that was brought in for a bouldering session.

Apparel Shop

In the market for some new gear? Nohara has a full shop that showcases the latest shoes, apparel, and supplies for runners, walking, and fitness. Come check out the newest models and latest fashions. Nohara's staff can also assist you by doing an analysis of your foot measurements to recommend the models and sizes with the best fit. The shop is open from 11am-8pm.

Running in Yoyogi Park

Yoyogi Park is perhaps the best place to run in Tokyo, and it's no wonder why Mizuno put their Nohara facility right next to it (in fact, running from Nohara to the park, around its trails, and back can be accomplished without hitting any traffic signals). It's a big, green space filled with trees and trails. You can run for a long time and forget that you're in the middle of a huge city. Though the area around the park's main entrance tends to be a bit crowded, it doesn't take long before the paths empty out and leave you to run in relative peace. For those who want a softer run, there are plenty of areas to run beside the paved trail, and many people choose to run on the soft ground and grass instead. The path is also flexible: the standard 1-mile course around the park can be easily shortened or lengthened by adding or subtracting parts of your route, which the Nohara staff is more than happy to help you plan (and they'll even give you a map).

How about at night? While much of the park's course is not well lit, the main loops of the park also connect to Oda Field, where a large athletic track sits. This track is well lit up at night, allowing runners a chance to get their miles done in a safe, friendly environment. Though the track is free and available to the general public, it is occasionally booked by different groups, so it's best to check the daily availability, which the folks at Nohara provide on their own website and Facebook page.

Getting there

Nohara by Mizuno is located on Omotesando Avenue. It is a 1-minute walk from Harajuku Station (JR Yamanote Line) and Meiji-jingumae Station (Chiyoda and Fukutoshin Lines). It is also a 4-minute walk from Omotesando Station's Exit A1 (Ginza, Chiyoda, and Hanzomon Lines).

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