Tokyo is one of the most populated cities in the world, full of busy streets and tall buildings. Although finding places to run can be challenging, fear not. There are many green areas where you can breathe fresh air and exercise. When you discover those great spots, you will see that running in Tokyo can be a lot of fun.
Be sure to check out our full feature on running in Japan as well as our updated top five running routes in Tokyo.
Meguro River
The run is about four kilometres long and crosses through three Tokyo wards – Shinagawa, Setagaya and Meguro. The path along the river is beautiful, especially in the spring, when it is full of cherry blossoms. The trees provide shade and cover from the rain too. The only discomfort is that in some areas there might be pedestrians and cyclists. That is why it is best to start your run early in the morning or late at night.
The river is accessible from Meguro, Ebisu, Gotanda, and Osaki Station.
Imperial Palace
Jogging along the 5 km loop around the imperial palace is a great way to combine sightseeing and exercise. The route is well marked, so you can track your time and distance. The good thing about the Imperial Palace gardens are facilities like lockers and changing spaces surrounding the area. The biggest disadvantage when jogging in the summer is heat. There is not much shade along the main jogging route here. Due to that, the best time for a run is before sunrise or after sunset.
Access Imperial Palace from Hibiya Station.
Yoyogi Park
The green heart of lively Tokyo and the best getaway from busy Shibuya and Shinjuku, just five minutes from Harajuku Station. It is Tokyo's largest park and open 24 hours. It offers stunning scenery and plenty of room for outdoor activities. On the weekends you can find interesting dance groups there, as well as artists, musicians and a lot of other events.
To get there, walk from Harajuku Station or Yoyogi Station.
Tamagawa River
Amazing place for a really long run (even up to 48 km). It is perfect for pushing your limits. The scenery is epic. There are no cars, so you can fully enjoy the open space and admire the river. It is great for cycling as well and accessible from the number of stations.
For more information about routes and directions see here. Closest stations: Futako-Tamagawa, Izumi-Tamagawa, Tamagawa.
Koganei Park
Beside the running course, Koganei Park has a wide range of features, including spacious grass areas, cherry tree garden, children's field, Japanese archery range, and 16 tennis courts. It also has all the necessary facilities to help you monitor your work out. The park even has a running club that might be of interest to local runners, which recommend a variety of Koganei Park running courses to try.
Stations: There are a few stations not so far from the park, but try taking a bus from Musashi-Koganei Station on the Chuo Line.
Arakawa River
Arakawa River is the place where the annual Tokyo triathlon competition takes place. It is a dreamland for runners and cyclists. The route is extra long, so you can probably run as far as you want. If you finish your jog in a completely different spot, do not worry, cause you can reach the river from many stations.
You can check an interesting work out plan including Arakawa river run here.
Stations: From the north you might reach via Ukimafunado, or from the south Nishi-Kasai, try also Kita-senju, Adachiodai, Akabane, Oji.
Komazawa Park
Komazawa Park is an excellent place to get in a short run around the loops or on the longer jogging course with helpful distance markers. It has plenty of other sport facilities too, if you feel like more training.
You can take a look at their official website here.
It is accessible from From Tokyo Station, Shinagawa Station, Shinjuku Station, Shibuya Station, Ikebukuro Station and Yokohama Station.
Akasaka Palace
The route is filled with changing views, from greenery to the ginkgo colonnade, to the Akasaka Palace (now "State Guesthouse") and Jingu baseball stadium.
This route might be helpful if you run there for the first time.
Stations: Yotsuya, Aoyama Icchome
Runbase Tokyo
Runbase Tokyo, by adidas, is a running station providing the perfect place from which to start your run. They provide changing facilities, over 150 rental lockers and 16 shower cubicles – those who are 'running' light can even borrow state-of-the-art adidas clothing and custom-fit shoes – and even buy them if they like.
Runbase Tokyo is based in the heart of Tokyo in the Nagatacho district, just 1 minute from Nagatacho station (Hanzomon, Namboku and Yurakucho Tokyo Metro lines). It's on the doorstep of the Imperial Palace loop running route – a great running course suited to all levels! Easy access from Nagatacho Station. Take Hirakawacho Exit number 4. Walk towards Hirakawacho Mori Tower and turn left.
View the running in Tokyo feature for more.
Please join my MEETUP group to find out more:
To join:
• register at https://www.meetup.com/home/
• join the group: https://www.meetup.com/tokyofunlovers/
• apply through the event page for the date of your choice
So far, the nearest to our place is the Tama River. I heard, from the Ome area in the western part of Tokyo, the river can go on until Haneda Airport. That is over an hour by bus.
Also there are a lot of people use the river-side not just for walking/running/cycling, but for events and sports, so soccer, baseball, and even American Football.
Another long un-interrupted course is along the Tsurumi River just south of Tokyo. Not as scenic, but between the dock area to the Nissan Football Stadium is a good stretch. Watching the bullet trains pass by while jogging is one of the nice parts of the route.