Jogging in Tokyo
Dec 30th, 2004 | 04:24 AM
#2
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,267
Likes: 0
StanJodi: I hope someone can give you their experience on this. But if no one replies w/routes, I suggest the following. Put my name "emd" in the search box above. A recent posting will come up w/a heading on a site for the Tokyo Tourist and Convention Bureau or something similar. Email them and ask your question. They are amazing. I emailed them w/a few pointed questions and recd not only emails in response but also a package of info in the mail, and all of it was directly on point to my questions. For example, they sent me a Japanese webpage for a restaurant I want to go to, and they had translated all the info on the webpage for me, and wrote in some landmarks so I can find the place. If anyone has a jogging map of Tokyo, my guess is that they will have it. Also, you might try a JNTO office. Call them and ask. I have called JNTO in NYC and asked things like this, although they are not quite as responsive; they seem somewhat overwhelemed to me. Last, one would hope the concierge at the Hilton can help you, but I never bet on that either and prefer to have my info nailed down before I go. Good luck. It should be great jogging weather. I am also going in late March and hope to get in several good hiking sessions outside of the cities.
Dec 30th, 2004 | 05:18 AM
#3
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,727
Likes: 0
The immediate area of the Tokyo Hilton is modern urban skyscraper offices. It looks like there is a small park nearby, but Shinjuku Gyoen is probably what he wants/needs. It's one of the largest parks in Tokyo. It on the other side of Shinjuku station from the hotel.
Dec 30th, 2004 | 09:44 AM
#5
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
I have run in Japan, but never in central Tokyo. It is like most major cities, lots of big buildings and traffic and it is easy to get lost in unfamiliar territory. Try to find a nearby park to run to and around and then return to your hotel.
Most important, remember that Japan drives on the left. My last visit to Japan began in Kyoto. Due to jet lag I was awake at about 4 am and went for a early morning run. Little traffic was out and I had no problems until I reached the first major intersection. I was on the sidewalk on the right side of the road. As I approached the intersection I looked to my left (the norm for an American) and then proceeded into the intersection. A large building blocked my view to the right. As I entered the traffic lane I looked to my right to see a car bearing down on me. The car slammed on its brakes and I had to make a split second decision, should I try to stop or blow right through? I decided to keep going and was fortunate not to get hit. (Since I wore no ID and no one in my family knew where I was I was very fortunate not to get hit.)
This was a hot June morning and I was not even wearing a shirt; just shorts and a headband. The elderly couple on the other side of the intesection who gaped as I ran past must have muttered something about a "crazy foreigner." Perhaps the most amazing thing was that the driver neither blew his horn nor yelled any profanities. That was also something different from what I would have expected back home.
First lesson, be extra vigilant of intersections in a foreign country. Second lesson, never go out running without telling other people where you are going and when they can expect you back. Third lesson, always cary ID with you and something that identifies your hotel or other lodging in case of emergency. All of these lessons apply at home, but on the road (especially out of the country) they are even more important.
I have run in Kyoto, the suburbs of Tokyo, at the ocean, through the rice fields, near Mt. Fuji and around the perimeter of Japan Disney. It is a great way to see parts of Japan at a different pace and from a different perspective. But be careful out there!
Most important, remember that Japan drives on the left. My last visit to Japan began in Kyoto. Due to jet lag I was awake at about 4 am and went for a early morning run. Little traffic was out and I had no problems until I reached the first major intersection. I was on the sidewalk on the right side of the road. As I approached the intersection I looked to my left (the norm for an American) and then proceeded into the intersection. A large building blocked my view to the right. As I entered the traffic lane I looked to my right to see a car bearing down on me. The car slammed on its brakes and I had to make a split second decision, should I try to stop or blow right through? I decided to keep going and was fortunate not to get hit. (Since I wore no ID and no one in my family knew where I was I was very fortunate not to get hit.)
This was a hot June morning and I was not even wearing a shirt; just shorts and a headband. The elderly couple on the other side of the intesection who gaped as I ran past must have muttered something about a "crazy foreigner." Perhaps the most amazing thing was that the driver neither blew his horn nor yelled any profanities. That was also something different from what I would have expected back home.
First lesson, be extra vigilant of intersections in a foreign country. Second lesson, never go out running without telling other people where you are going and when they can expect you back. Third lesson, always cary ID with you and something that identifies your hotel or other lodging in case of emergency. All of these lessons apply at home, but on the road (especially out of the country) they are even more important.
I have run in Kyoto, the suburbs of Tokyo, at the ocean, through the rice fields, near Mt. Fuji and around the perimeter of Japan Disney. It is a great way to see parts of Japan at a different pace and from a different perspective. But be careful out there!
Dec 30th, 2004 | 03:38 PM
#6
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
MArch will be still pretty cold in Tokyo and most of Japan.
If you want to run near the Hilton, as others have mentioned, it is mainly buildings. If you don't mind going further, head for the nice parks around Ueno, or the imperial palace near Tokyo station etc.. or even further Odaiba (very nice harbour-side area)
If you want to run near the Hilton, as others have mentioned, it is mainly buildings. If you don't mind going further, head for the nice parks around Ueno, or the imperial palace near Tokyo station etc.. or even further Odaiba (very nice harbour-side area)
