For physically active individuals visiting Japan from abroad, finding the right place to exercise can be a challenge, whether on vacation or a business trip. While many recommend jogging, if you're in Japan for an extended stay, you might prefer to engage in your favorite sport from back home. This week, I'll explore options for mid-to-long-term visitors in central Tokyo, from my favorite running and hiking routes in Tokyo to playing tennis and golf in the city.
Jogging/Running
Wherever you stay in Tokyo, running can be the easiest option. How do you choose your hotel when you find your accommodation in Tokyo? Access to business partners is very important, but at the same time, where to take your routine running course can't be neglected. I am going to list the three best locations where you can enjoy running.
Imperial Palace Loop
The Imperial Palace Loop is one of the most popular jogging routes in Tokyo. The loop circles around the Imperial Palace and offers a mix of cityscape and greenery. The route is approximately 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) long and offers a peaceful atmosphere in the heart of Tokyo. You'll enjoy views of the palace grounds, the Nijubashi Bridge, and the surrounding moat. The route is well-paved and usually not too crowded, making a great choice for a jog. You will see lots of local businesspersons running during lunchtime since this loop has great access to most offices. The details are shown in my previous post #31.
Possible hotel locations: Ginza, Hanzomon
Yoyogi Park and Meiji Shrine
Yoyogi Park is a spacious and vibrant park located near Harajuku and Shibuya. The park offers ample jogging paths that wind through lush greenery, providing a refreshing contrast to the bustling city. After jogging in Yoyogi Park, it is possible to walk through Meiji Jingu Shrine as a cool-down location. Since the Meiji Jingu Shrine is a sacred place, it is best to refrain from running inside the shrine, even on the approach to the shrine. The path from Yoyogi Park to Meiji Shrine is about 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) long, and the serene atmosphere and shaded pathways make it a pleasant choice.
Possible hotel locations: Shibuya. You can run from the west side of Shinjuku, but it is a little bit far.
Sumida River Promenade
The Sumida River Promenade offers a picturesque jogging route along the Sumida River, with beautiful views of Tokyo Skytree and other landmarks. This route is approximately 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) long if you do the entire loop. You can start at places like Asakusa and jog along the riverbanks, passing through parks, bridges, and modern cityscapes. This course provides a good mixture of urban and waterfront scenery, making it a unique and enjoyable jogging experience.
Possible hotel locations: Asakusa is the best for running and sightseeing.
Parkrun
If you are hesitant to run in an unfamiliar place for the first time, Parkrun can be a good option. It’s also a great place to meet fellow runner enthusiasts and make friends in another city.
Parkrun is a global initiative that organizes free, weekly, timed 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) running events in various parks and open spaces around the world. In Tokyo, there are 6 Parkrun venues, and the nearest one to Tokyo city center is Futakotamagawa. The venue is located on the riverbed of the Tamagawa River. It takes about 15 minutes from Shibuya by train.
I usually run at Tamagawa Chuo Koen in the west suburb of Tokyo, and I have written about the beauty of Parkrun in my previous newsletter from Substack. If you want to meet me personally, join the next parkrun and run with me!
Hiking
If you love walking in the mountains, hiking can be an alternative to spending a half or full day. Japan is a mountainous country with little flat land, but the capital, Tokyo, is located in the center of the Kanto Plain, so hiking even in low mountains requires a certain amount of travel. But you can be in nature if you can spare at least half a day from central Tokyo. The following site will give you a general idea of walking in the Japanese mountains.
Mt Takao
The most popular spot for hiking in Tokyo is Mt Takao. Mt. Takao is a 599-meter-high mountain located in the west of Tokyo. It has both a religious and a tourist attraction aspect that can be easily visited by families. There are several routes to the summit. There are numerous routes to the top of Mt. Takao, ranging from cable cars to full-scale hiking courses, with the main trailhead at Takaosanguchi on the Keio Line. The recent boom in mountain climbing and its easy accessibility from central Tokyo attracts many tourists on weekends. If you want to enjoy the tranquillity, it is advisable to climb the mountain early in the morning and return before noon. All popular hiking spots in the suburbs of Tokyo are inevitably crowded, so be prepared for that.
Tanzawa
The Tanzawa Sanchi is a mountainous area in northwestern Kanagawa Prefecture. The highest peak, Hirugadake (1,673 m above sea level), is an intermediate-level mountain, but the terrain of ridges and valleys is complex. Because of the complicated topography, accidents involving people in distress have occurred frequently. Even though the trails are well maintained, you should go with sufficient preparation and a schedule with enough time to spare. In winter, there is frequent snowfall due to the passage of low-pressure systems along the southern coast. In my opinion, it should be considered as mountain climbing rather than hiking.
Tennis
There are other possible sports that you may be able to try while you are traveling. Tennis is a popular sport, but arranging court bookings and equipment may be more difficult.
Most of the courts are operated by local municipalities and to book a court, you usually need to be a local resident. If you have a friend in Japan who plays tennis who can book a court for you, this might be the easiest way to play tennis.
Otherwise, there are two platforms in Japan, Tennis Off and Tennis Bear, where you can book a court although these websites are both only available in Japanese. These platforms allow you to search for a partner of your level at a time and place of your choice. I live in the western suburbs of Tokyo and I sometimes use these platforms to find partners to play with.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask questions using the chat function on Substack!
Golf
Golf is another popular sport in Japan. The first thing that will surprise you when you try to play golf in Japan is the number of golf courses compared to the size of the country. Keep an eye out when flying over Chiba Prefecture when landing at Narita Airport, you’ll see plenty of them! In a sense, the word "forcible" is appropriate, as there are so many golf courses that you can tell that the mountains were forcibly developed and built. In addition, golf courses in Japan have a unique culture, which can be troublesome if ignored. If you are eager to play golf in Japan, here are some tips:
Etiquette and Respect: Japanese golf culture strongly emphasizes etiquette and respect.
Dress Code: Adhere to the strict dress code of Japanese golf courses. Collared shirts, tailored pants or shorts, and proper golf shoes are usually required. Avoid denim, tank tops, and flip-flops.
Pace of Play: Respect the pace of play, as Japanese golfers tend to play efficiently. Be ready to hit when it's your turn, and aim to keep up with the group in front of you. Generally, there are 7 or 8 minutes intervals between each tee time.
Japanese golf courses require four golfers to play together, making it almost impossible for a single golfer to play alone. In most cases, even if two or three golfers play together, you must pay an additional fee. It is very difficult to play at famous courses where international-level competitions are held unless you know someone who is a member.
But it is like playing tennis it is not impossible to play golf in Japan. There is a certain website which may enable you to play golf while you are staying in Japan.
Finally
It is not easy to do the sports that you usually do, you still can do depending on what you do and know the place. The hotel location will be very important for running, especially around the place where you will be staying. Also, by participating in an event such as Parkrun, which has a global reach, you may be able to meet new people and find new things.
What sports do you play in your home country and are there any sports you’d like to try out while in Japan? Let me know in the comments!