For us dog folk, there’s no season more comfortable than winter. We can’t help it—we perk our tails right up. Even cold winds and snow don’t faze us.
When winter comes to the streets of Tokyo, we can’t stop grinning, and we just feel like breaking into a run.
So what do you say, human?
Why don’t you come run through Tokyo’s winter with us?
Let’s go for a run around the Imperial Palace
If you’re staying in Tokyo for more than just a few days, why not spend a day living like a local?
It might sound strange to get tired on a trip that’s supposed to be relaxing, but don’t you ever feel worn out from hopping from one tourist spot to another?
Today, let’s try Tokyo’s most popular jogging route—the Imperial Palace run. The running course is about 5 km per loop—just the right distance—and even though it’s in the very heart of Tokyo, there are no traffic lights, so you can run without stopping. Surrounded by lush greenery and historic landmarks, it’s a runner-friendly course in every way.
Since the Imperial Palace run uses regular city streets, please keep the following points in mind. When everyone’s comfortable, you too.
- Pedestrians come first on the sidewalk.
- On narrow sidewalks, run in single file—please don’t run side by side.
- Run in a counterclockwise direction.
- Please be considerate of others.
❶ Start from Tokyo Station (Marunouchi Exit)
The Imperial Palace run is a loop around the Palace, so you can start anywhere. Today, though, let’s begin near Tokyo Station Marunouchi Exit (marked as ❶ on the map), right in front of the Imperial Palace.
If you’re staying near Tokyo Station, you can skip this step—but around the Palace you’ll find plenty of runner-friendly facilities with changing rooms, lockers, and showers. So first things first: change clothes.
PR Your Stay Choice!
Looking to stay nearby Tokyo Station? Mitsui Garden Hotel Otemachi Tokyo is a great choice:
A. Running Station, Asics Run Tokyo Marunouchi
ASICS Run Tokyo Marunouchi (marked as A on the map) is conveniently located near Tokyo Station and offer lockers where you can store any unnecessary items while running. Since the facility is operated by a company that specializes in running shoes and gear, you can also rent the latest models.
Fees:
Facility usage: ¥1,500
Locker usage: ¥1,100
Shoe and gear rental: ¥330 per item
(Tax included, as of December 2025)
Of course, there are other facilities in the area that offer similar services, so you can choose a different one if you prefer. If you don’t need to rent running shoes or other gear, you’ll also find more affordable options nearby.
After your run, freshen up with a shower, change clothes, and enjoy exploring places like the underground areas around Tokyo Station—it’s a great way to spend some extra time.
Detour Point ❷: Inari-yu Kanda (Public Bathhouse)
If you don’t need to rent any running shoes and gear, a great alternative is Inari-yu (Public Bathhouse) (marked as ❷ on the map) . For the price of using the public bath (Adult; ¥550), you can also use a locker.
Get changed here before your run, leave any unnecessary items in the locker, and hand the locker key to the attendant at the front desk—then you’re ready to start running. Afterward, you can soak in the large bath and wash off the sweat. It’s a very Tokyo-local way to do it.
If you plan to use Inari-yu as your locker base for running, please check this web site.
Shampoo and Body Soap are provided, so if you buy a small towel (¥130), you can use the bath without bringing anything with you.
B. Imperial Palace Clock Tower; Alight let’s start running!
This time, let’s start from the Imperial Palace Clock Tower (marked as B on the map) , a popular meeting and starting point near the running station. It’s a wide, open space, perfect for doing some warm-up stretches before you begin your run.
There’s a drinking fountain along the path, so be sure to give Tokyo’s tap water a try. In winter, the cold water tastes especially refreshing.
If you go a little farther, you’ll also find restrooms. There are restrooms along the course too, but it’s probably a good idea to take care of it here before you start running.
C. Nijubashi Bridge, Front Entrance Gate of Imperial Palace, and Imperial Palace Plaza
Head back a little from the Clock Tower, and the sidewalk along the road is the running course. The rule is simple: turn left and run north. (marked as C on the map)
From there, you’ll see a bridge deeper inside the Imperial Palace grounds. This is the Nijubashi Bridge, which leads toward the front of the Imperial Palace. It’s normally closed to the public, but it opens on special occasions such as New Year’s greetings or when welcoming overseas dignitaries.
Along the road is the Imperial Palace Plaza, with round big stone bollards lining the edge. The wide-open space and sense of openness make it a really pleasant place to run.
D. Sakurada Tatsumi Yagura (Sakurada Double Turret) and the front of Tokyo Station
This area (marked as D on the map) is home to many government ministries and the headquarters of long-standing major Japanese companies, and you’ll find plenty of buildings with real historical character around here.
By the time you reach this point, you’ll see the Sakurada Tatsumi Yagura straight ahead on your left, a beautiful example of traditional Japanese castle architecture.The Sakurada Tatsumi Yagura is a historic structure built more than 300 years ago during the Edo period.
Farther in the distance on the right, you can also spot the Marunouchi Exit of Tokyo Station. The original building was completed in 1914 and is a designated important cultural property.
You could easily call this spot the main gateway to Japan.
E. Otemon (Otemon Gate of Imperial Palace)
When you see this gate—the Otemon Gate—you’ve completed about 1 kilometer of the run, roughly one-fifth of the full course. (marked as E on the map)
From here, you can enter the parts of the Imperial Palace grounds that are open to the public and explore the gardens and the remains of Edo Castle’s stone walls.
Once you’ve finished your run, it’s a great idea to come back and take some time to look around.
F. Takebashi Station, Tozai Metro Line
When you spot the large building in the photo and reach the area around Takebashi Station (marked as F on the map) on the Tozai Metro Line, you’ve completed 2 kilometers.
From around here, you’ll see Hirakawa Bridge. The bridge leads to Hirakawa Gate, and from there you can also enter the Imperial Palace gardens that are open to the public.
After passing this bridge, there’s a public restroom—just in case. (marked as ❸ on the map)
G. Takebashi Bridge
Just like in the photo, the road starts to slope uphill after passing Takebashi Bridge (marked as G on the map). By this point you’ve already run quite a long distance, so it might be a good idea to take it easy and walk for a bit from here.
In front of you on the right as you cross the bridge is the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo (marked as ❹ on the map). It was Japan’s first national art museum and has an excellent collection of modern Japanese works. If you’re interested, it’s definitely worth stopping by.
After passing the bridge, you might notice how solid the stone walls of the moat are on your left. They’re a reminder that Edo Castle was once a heavily fortified stronghold built for defense.
H.Imperial Guard Division Headquarters
When a building like the one in the photo comes into view on your front right, the uphill stretch is almost over. Once you pass it, the road turns into a gentle downhill.
This classical building is the former Imperial Guard Division Headquarters (marked as ❺ on the map). Built in 1910, it’s designated as an Important Cultural Property. It used to serve as an annex of a museum, but these days you can only admire it from the outside—kind of a shame, isn’t it?
I. North End of Chidorigafuchi Park
When a view like this comes into sight and you reach the intersection (marked as I on the map), turn left. This is the start of Chidorigafuchi Park, and from here the path runs alongside the moat through the park for a while.
By this point, you’ve completed 3 kilometers and are already more than halfway around the Imperial Palace loop.
From here, it’s just a flat run heading south. Every now and then you’ll spot some interesting buildings on your right, so enjoy the sights and take in the city of Tokyo as you go.
First up is the British Embassy—built in 1929, it’s a classic, brick building with a very British feel.
A little further along, there’s a public restroom in Chidorigafuchi Park (marked as ❻ on the map)—just in case.
The building in the photo is the National Theatre of Japan. It has long been a venue mainly dedicated to traditional Japanese performing arts. However, it’s currently closed, as it’s due to be rebuilt because of its aging facilities. That said, the reconstruction plans seem to be stalled for financial reasons. That’s too bad, isn’t it?
J. Sakuradamon Gate
Once this view comes into sight and you can see the road leading toward Sakuradamon Gate (marked as ❼ on the map), you’ve already passed the 4-kilometer mark—your Imperial Palace Run is almost complete.
Turn left toward Sakuradamon Gate, then head back to the Imperial Palace Clock Tower (marked as B on the map) where you started. Congratulations! That wraps up your Imperial Palace Run!
If you feel like running a bit more, just keep going straight and turn left at the next intersection to extend your route. And if you’re still full of energy, why not go for a second lap?
PR Your Stay Choice!
If you want to stay nearby Tokyo Station, Hoshinoya Tokyo, Japanese Style Onsen Hotel, is available:
Detour Point ❽ : Running Station, Raffine Running Style Neo (Ginza/Hibiya)
If you’d rather start your run from the Ginza/Hibiya side, no problem—there are other running stations you can use.
One option (a bit tricky to find) is Raffine Running Style Neo (marked as ❽ on the map).
The entrance is the same one used to access the underground bicycle parking.
Head down the stairs, and you’ll find the running station below.
It’s open to the public, costs ¥850 per visit, and includes locker and shower use.
You can also rent running shoes and running wear if you need them.
Humans are funny creatures.
I get why they run around the Imperial Palace from fall through spring.
But when I see people still running even in the peak of summer, I can’t help thinking they’re a whole different species from us dogs.
Just a little advice: don’t do it in summer.
If anything, the sensible thing is to take a stroll around the Imperial Palace Plaza after the sun goes down.