Japan has a fantastic running culture, with special facilities for runners, a plethora of running groups, and some of the world’s most iconic races. There’s also been a big effort to develop decent spots for running, given the fact that it’s not always easy to just step out the door and go for a run anywhere in Japan’s famously crowded, dense cities. This is a list of our 18 favorite running routes in Japan, culled from our coverage of eight Japanese cities: Hiroshima, Kyoto, Nagoya, Nara, Osaka, Sapporo, Tokyo, and Yokohama. The list is in alphabetical order, by city. Our favorite city for running in Japan: Osaka.
A remarkable 10k run, consisting of historic and scenic elements: Peace Memorial Park, Central Park, Hiroshima Castle, historic gardens, river paths, and Peace Blvd. Nearly all off-road. A run that's both somber and inspiring.
