Experiences / Nature
Running the palace loop
皇居ランニング こうきょらんにんぐ
Nature · Free · Early morning · Wellness
Five kilometres around the Imperial Palace moat, flat, no traffic lights, counter-clockwise by convention, with the whole of Tokyo's running culture doing it beside you at seven in the morning and seven at night. Running stations near Hanzomon and Takebashi rent shoes and lockers by the hour; hotels in Marunouchi hand out maps. It is the best free thing to do before breakfast.
- How to arrange it
- No booking; run counter-clockwise; the running stations open from about seven.
- Price band
- ¥
- Allow
- 45 min
Where to book it
Marunouchi & Tokyo Station
JOGLIS Imperial Palace Running Station
皇居ランニングステーション JOGLIS
¥ · 60 min · English: partial
A purpose-built runners' station steps from Hanzomon, right on the 5km Imperial Palace loop that is Tokyo's most famous running route. It exists specifically for the palace-loop crowd, with showers, lockers and towel rental rather than being a hotel gym add-on.
Marunouchi & Tokyo Station
Marunouchi Bike&Run
丸の内 Bike&Run
¥ · 60 min · English: no
The runners' station built directly into Tokyo Station itself, making it the most convenient base for the palace loop for anyone arriving by train. It doubles as a bike commuter facility, so it is run for daily local use rather than as a tourist product.
Named operators, each verified against its official site. We list the booking route and whether English is spoken; hours and prices live on the official site. All operators