Best Two Running Courses in Tokyo

Let me introduce popular running courses I recommend  in Tokyo.

Tokyo Imperial Palace (Kokyo,皇居)

Tokyo imperial palace , called Kokyo(皇居) , is the main resedence of Emperor in Japan.  It is built on the site of the old  Edo castle. It is a big park-like area for citizens (Wikipedia) .

Tokyo imperial palace is the most famous running circuit in Tokyo. One-around is just 5 km (3.1 mile),  This is a good distance for runners here, in this country METER is used.  4-around is about 20 km (12 mile) and 8 -around is 40 km (24 mile). So If you run 8.4-around of Imperial palace, you can finish full marathon race.  See this map.

SEE COURSE MAP (Tokyo Imperial Palace)

The view is historical and beautiful (It was a real castle).  The road is flat and wide. This is also comfortable for runners. Many subway stations makes them more convenient.

Stations: Sakuradamon(桜田門),Takebashi(竹橋) , Hibiya(日比谷)

Meiji Jingu Gaien  (明治神宮外苑)

Meiji Jingu Gaien is  built as the Gaien(外苑) of Meiji Jingu(明治神宮).  Meiji Jingu is called Naien and this place is called Gaien. Hmm, it is complicated. Meiji Jingu Gaien is an area several sports (baseball, ruccer, rugby, golf and RUN) place come together.

• Jingu Stadium (baseball, concert)
• Kokuritsu Kyogijo (succer, concert)
• Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium (rugby)
• Golf Driving Range (golf)
• Batting Practice Range /Batting-center ( baseball)

SEE COURSE MAP ( Meiji Jingu Gaien)

The biggest news is a New Main Stadium for TOKYO OLYMPIC 2020 in Meiji Jingu Gaien.  National Olympic Stadium ( Kokuritsu Kyogijo, 国立競技場) is built  for Tokyo Olympic 1964 and next year this will be reconstructed as New National Olympic Stadium ( Shin KokuristuKyogijo, 新国立競技場) since 56 years .

Zaha Hadid Architects(http://www.zaha-hadid.com/) won the stadium design. I think, Wow, what a monster comes to town. The stadium is so big so i'm worried if the running course disappeared by this monster.

Stations: Shinanomachi(信濃町), Kokuritsu Kyogijo(国立競技場)