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.
Shika Island and the peninsula that connects it to the rest of Fukuoka boast some of the best coastal views around. The best running there is in Uminakamichi Seaside Park, where one can put together ~10 km on pleasant, scenic paths.
