Hi, I am traveling to Japan for a few days next month and was wanting to do some runs. I will be in the Shinjuku district and I believe pretty close to Yoyogi Park. Is it a decent place to run? I have heard of Imperial Palace but it seems like it requires some travelling from where I am staying. Any tips or reccommendations?
thanks
The park is one of the few decent places to run in Tokyo. I would run over there from Shabuya where I was staying. On Saturday take some time to watch the “greasers” do their little dances and be prepared to be running faster than most of the people on rental bikes.
On the weekend take a 1hr train out to Kamakura to see the shrines and do some ocean swimming and running.
When I was there, I would run in the mornings. Around 6:30-7ish there are hardly any people out and about. It is a great way to explore Tokyo and see it without the crowds of people walking around. There is surprisingly a lot of green space in Tokyo and small parks that you can run through in Shinjuku. Have fun exploring Tokyo running!
I stayed in Shinjuku last year and it is not really that long a run to Yoyogi (sp?) park…also across from the park there is an awesome 400m track that I used a few times! Enjoy…you can pretty well run anywhere in Tokyo if you want to explore!
You should read Haruki Murakami’s memoir, “What I Talk About When I Talk About Running.” He is one of my favourite novelists (“Wind-Up Bird Chronicle” is fantastic) and it turns out he runs practically every day. There is a passage where he talks about running in Yoyogi park.
Have fun in Tokyo, make sure to visit the onsens!
How far are your runs? I just got back from a week in Japan for work. The first night I was in Akihabara and the last 2 in Shinagawa. Neither is “close” to what I’d consider ideal running locales, yet I pulled of 7-9 mile runs in each spot. And honestly, if you are anywhere close to the inner “belt” of Tokyo (Yamanote Line), Imperial Palace is a relatively short distance.
Just start running. If you don’t have a GPS watch, just stick to the big roads. You can certainly get turned around on the small ones. Also, if you do get twisted around a bit, be thankful that Shinjuku has one of the tallest buildings in town as a point of reference.
The “just start running” is also what I did when I stayed in Shinjuku and Ikebukuro. Just run and check out the sites.
I lived in Tokyo for a few years and did my daily run in Yoyogi. It’s a great place for a run and you’ll see some “interesting” things on the weekends. I ended up on the “11 PM Show” (an evening variety show) as a result of running in Yoyogi. It’s a long story…
Lots of info here:
Yes, as others have said Yoyogi Park is a great place to run. The Namban Rengo club runs every Wednesday night in Yoyogi Park or at the track across the road at Oda Field. PM me if you would like more details.
Keren
That sounds like fun. Part of my family lives in Japan. Only time I’ve been there is passing through.
Think you could post some photos?
Have a great trip!
Thanks for all the replies! I have checked the namban runners website and I thought they had a Sunday morning long run around Yoyogi Park. I am staying right by the park (Shinjuku Washington Hotel) and I’m gonna explore the roads early in the morning.
I’ll definitely post some photos. Have you been to Tokyo since you have family there? I’m pretty stoked about the trip!
Cheers
No- only flying through, making connections to Vietnam, Thailand, etc.
My niece teaches English outside Nagasaki. She married a fine fellow there named Yukimi. They have a young lad who looks 100% Japanese.
No- only flying through, making connections to Vietnam, Thailand, etc.
My niece teaches English outside Nagasaki. She married a fine fellow there named Yukimi. They have a young lad who looks 100% Japanese.
Nagasaki is completely different than Tokyo. Had the pleasure of being there for a few days 5 years ago. Absolutely stunning landscape and the people are a 180 degrees from the rushed and overworked folks of Tokyo. They seem to enjoy life more down in Nagasaki.
Hi Soya,
The Sunday runs in the park are not regular any more. But there are always group runs being organized in other places like the Imperial Palace on the weekends. Post on the Namban forum if you want to get details.
And we are organizing our own half marathon and 10km run on November 7th on the Arakawa River. Followed by a BBQ. You are welcome to join if you are in Tokyo then.
K
I just spent the past two months in Tokyo and might be going back very soon. Running is a great way to get out and explore as long as you’re willing to put up with the intersections.
I lived down in Shinagawa and would either run along the canals for my short runs (30-60min) or up around the palace loop for my long runs (1-2hr). The temps were cooling off when I left, so I think you’re going at a great time!