Running has never been more connected.
Every day, people around the world run out their front door in cities, towns, mountains, and coastlines. We train at different times, speak different languages, and pursue different goals, yet we are connected by the same motivation: becoming a better runner than we were yesterday.
We've compiled expert running guides to four cities around the world, each under the guidance of a local run club.
This guide covers Tokyo, and our host crew is 080TOKYO — founded in Harajuku in 2017 around what they call MISSION ZERO, a philosophy built on welcoming newcomers and connecting through sport rather than competition. They've grown into one of Japan's largest running crews, known for a Monday-night run through Shibuya and Harajuku that's open to absolutely anyone.
Here's how to experience the city like a runner: the routes, the food, and the spots worth knowing, whether you live here or you're just passing through.W
Where They Run
- Yoyogi Park — a road-and-trail mix, including a dedicated cross-country course. Near Harajuku and Yoyogi-Uehara.
- The Imperial Palace — Tokyo's most iconic running route, a roughly 5-kilometer loop around the palace grounds with no traffic lights.
- Komazawa Olympic Park — a 2.1-kilometer dedicated loop built for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, near Komazawa-Daigaku Station.
- The Sumida River — a scenic riverside route through the eastern side of the city, a different perspective on Tokyo.
Coffee Shops & Running Stores
Coffee:
- ONIBUS COFFEE
- P.S.COFFEE
- SIDEWALK COFFEE
- MERMAID COFFEE ROASTERS
- nadoya no katte
- SANU NOWHERE
- ABOUT LIFE COFFEE BREWERS (Shibuya)
- Woodberry Coffee (great freshly baked goods)
Running Stores:
The Race Calendar
Setoda Lemon Marathon — February — A seaside course along the Seto Inland Sea with aid stations serving citrus and salted-lemon fried chicken instead of the usual gels. Considered one of the friendliest races in Japan for first-timers.
Tokyo Marathon — March — The first World Major Marathon of the year, and Japan's largest race.
Hokkaido Marathon — August —Japan's only summer marathon, through central Sapporo.
Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon — October — Starts and finishes at the National Stadium, run on the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic marathon course.
Naha Marathon — December — A 30,000-runner "festival of sun, sea, and joggers" through Okinawa. One 080TOKYO runner is taking it on this December.
