Running & biking trails around the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic marathon course

Experience the wonders of Tokyo by cycling and running

Tokyo has many charming features such as its history, culture, and nature. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is taking steps to reproduce cycling and running courses from various parts of Tokyo in a VR space in order to make its richly varied scenery widely known to people in Japan and overseas.

Showcased below are running and cycling courses around the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Course, along with easy-to-use running and biking stations.

Five virtual running and riding courses to experience Tokyo’s fascination. Check Here.
Cycling Through Tokyo’s Many Faces -Nature, Island Views & Centers of Culture-. Check Here.

The Imperial Palace area: A mecca for runners in Japan

The Imperial Palace area is one of the most famous among Tokyo's running courses. As Tokyo Station is nearby, along with many running stations and bicycle rental shops, it's convenient to run there.

This classic spot is about 5 km per lap and allows many people to enjoy a run—including those going to and coming from work. Thus, there are several running stations nearby that allow runners to safely change clothes and take showers. All you need for a comfortable run is clothing and shoes that allow you to move freely.
You can also have fun cycling there, as there are bicycle rental spots nearby.

Popular spots along the course

Sakurada-mon Gate

The Sakurada-mon Gate was the stage for a major turning point in Japanese history (the Sakuradamon Incident) and was built as one of the gates in Edo Castle's inner moat. It has been designated as one of the country's Important Cultural Properties.

Marunouchi buildings

The buildings in Marunouchi, which lie between the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station, show Tokyo's super city aspects. Numerous restaurants offering international cuisine, stores filled with top fashion brands, and more keep visitors entertained.

Running/biking stations in the Imperial Palace area

 

Re.Ra.Ku PRO Running Takebashi Koukyo-mae Store
Address: Palaceside Bldg. 1F, 1-1-1 Hitotsubashi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo

Re.Ra.Ku PRO Running Takebashi Koukyo-mae Store
Address: Tokyo Mori Tower 1F, 2-16-1 Hirakawacho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo

MARUNOUCHI Bike&Run
Address: Shin-Marunouchi Bldg. B1F, 1-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo

Race through Shitamachi: From Sensoji Temple's Kaminarimon Gate to Nihonbashi

You can enjoy the transition from Shitamachi to the urban area on this course within the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Marathon Course that's around 5 km. Pass through the townscape of Asakusa, rich with Shitamachi spirit, with the Skytree in the background. Continue through Kuramae—which has been gaining attention as the Brooklyn of Japan in recent years—and go toward Nihonbashi: transportation's starting point.

Copyright by Sensouji temple

Popular spots along the course

Sensoji Temple

Sensoji Temple is the oldest temple in Tokyo and was likely founded during the Asuka period. Upon passing through Kaminarimon Gate, you can find Nakamise Shopping Street: a street around 250 m long and lined with souvenir and confectionery shops. You can experience good old-fashioned Tokyo there, rich with Shitamachi spirit.

Kuramae

Although the Kuramae area has a strong Shitamachi feel, cafes and general stores have popped up in recent years. The area is popular with young people and referred to as the Brooklyn of Japan. You can enjoy the stylish scenery that looks like it'd be popular on social media.

Nihonbashi

Nihonbashi was the starting point of Japan's Five Routes and has long been a major transportation hub, and it contains many long-standing department stores representative of Japan. Large-scale redevelopment has also been carried out in recent years within the Nihonbashi Revitalization Plan, and it has become a vital center for new hot spots like COREDO Nihonbashi.

Running station in the Asakusa area

 

OUROUR Running Station
Address: 2-20-13, Yanagibashi, Taito City, Tokyo

Dash through Future City Tokyo: From Ginza to Zojoji Temple

This is a futuristic section of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Marathon Course that races between skyscrapers. The course starts from Ginza (a central area for shopping and business), passes through Shinbashi, and goes all the way to Zojoji Temple at the base of Tokyo Tower. The landscape continually changes with the area's unique building designs and stylish shops.

Popular spots along the course

Ginza Kabukiza Tower

The Kabukiza Tower was completed in 2013 and is a new Ginza landmark, combining a base of traditional Japanese aesthetic tradition with state-of-the-art office space. Inside, you can enjoy kabuki performances daily and have an experience different from your everyday life.

Zojoji Temple

Zojoji Temple has 600 years of history and a deep connection to the Tokugawa family. It is dedicated to six shoguns, including the second: Hidetada. The temple grounds command a spectacular view of Tokyo Tower, which also makes the area a popular photo spot.

Running station in the Ginza area

 

ASICS RUN Tokyo Marunouchi
Address: Mitsubishi Building B1F, 2-5-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo

Jingu Gaien: A classic, easy-to-run course, even for beginners

This is a course consisting of around 1.3 km of Jingu Gaien that runs around the Tokyo 2020 Games' main stadium: the National Stadium.
You can feel like a top athlete when running on this course that was broadcasted numerous times. It's is also very popular among running and cycling beginners as it has few elevation changes and is easy to run on.

Popular spots along the course

Ginkgo Avenue

The tree-lined street running from Aoyama-dori to Meiji Jingu Gaien has 146 ginkgo trees planted along it, and they turn a golden color in autumn. This beautiful landscape is a famous stage for films, dramas, and more, and it delights the eyes of many visitors every year.

Japan Olympic Museum

You can see the Olympic symbol monument that became the symbol of the Tokyo 2020 Games, along with various exhibits and more related to the Olympic Games. There are also games where you can try to match Olympians' physical abilities, and other activities that are perfect for those who want to move their bodies.

Running station in the Jingu Gaien area

 

Jingu Gaien Samadhi Club
Address: 11-1 Kasumigaoka-machi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo

Bicycle rental in the Jingu Gaien area

 

narifuri Tokyo
Address: Cross-side Bldg., 3-52-1 Sendagaya, Shibuya City, Tokyo

Click here for a video that compiles popular spots along the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Marathon Course
Video

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Marathon Course VR reproduction

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has reproduced the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Marathon Course in the VR sports app ROUVY.
You can play sports anytime, anywhere in a VR space with many people in Japan and abroad. Over 450 people from around the world participated in a race held in VR space on December 12, 2021. Many guests—including Yasuda Dancho of Yasuda Dai Circus and star Kenji Moriwaki—participated on-site at the venue: the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.

Archive videos
Links to each course on ROUVY

About the Photo Contest

This photo contest took place in Tokyo between Thursday December 23 2021 and Monday February 28 2022 to convey to the world the appeal of the marathon course of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and its environs as a sightseeing area. Further initiatives to convey Tokyo's appeal will take place in the future.

Click here for details: Link
Please note that the call for entries has ended.