The Tokyo Marathon attracts 38,000 runners from all over the world. This year will be the 17th marathon, to be held on March 3rd. The Tokyo Marathon is also a large draw for local amateur runners, and its course allows participants to see some of the city’s most famous sites. Here are some of the sights that you can enjoy in the final leg of the race in the vicinity of Tokyo Station and the Shiba area, which has a length of about 8 km. Also be sure to check out other spots that are helpful for running, including running stations where you can rent shoes and other useful equipment, as well as facilities where you can take a breather.
03.
04.
*Calculated based on a running speed of 8km/h
Start at ASICS RUN TOKYO MARUNOUCH ➡ Approx. 7 min. ➡ Godzilla Statue (Hibiya Godzilla Square) ➡ Approx. 18 min. ➡ Zojoji Temple ➡ Approx. 3 min. ➡ Tokyo Tower ➡ Approx. 27 min. ➡ Rest at Wadakura Fountain Park
ASICS RUN TOKYO MARUNOUCHI
ASICS RUN TOKYO MARUNOUCHI, located on the 1st basement floor of the Mitsubishi Building just a short walk from Tokyo Station, is a great place to visit before or after a run. This comprehensive store, complete with a run station with lockers and shower rooms, sells running equipment and offers rental of various items including different levels of running shoes and devices, apparel, and bath towels. You can also have your running form and endurance checked here.
Address: Mitsubishi Building. B1F, 2-5-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
https://www.asics.com/jp/ja-jp/mk/asicsruntokyo-marunouchi
Godzilla Statue (Hibiya Godzilla Square)
Godzilla, the legendary super-sized monster from Japan. This was Toho’s first special-effects monster movie, released in 1954. 70 years after Godzilla’s creation, the movie franchise continues to be popular even today, with a new movie released in 2023. Hibiya Godzilla Square, located near the course of the Tokyo Marathon course, is a destination for Godzilla fans from all around the world, who flock here to see the monster in person. Directly in front of the Hibiya Chanter commercial facility, the square features a towering Godzilla statue with a total height of three meters including the base.
The powerful appearance of this statue is best seen up-close.
Address: Hibiya Godzilla Square, 1-2-2 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (in front of Hibiya Chanter)
https://www.gotokyo.org/en/spot/1772/index.html
Zojoji Temple
Near the end of the Tokyo Marathon, at around the 39 km mark, is Zojoji Temple, which has a history of more than 600 years and is known as a temple with connections to Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa. The large vermilion-lacquered gate standing along Hibiya-dori Avenue is Sangedatsumon (Main Gate), which is designated as a national Important Cultural Property . Built in 1622, early in the Edo Period (1603-1868), this gate is said to be the oldest wooden structure in Tokyo. Beyond Sangedatsumon Gate is the majestic Daiden Hall, the main hall of the temple, where Buddhist memorial services and other ceremonies are held. There are several other interesting sites on the spacious temple grounds, including the graves of Tokugawa shoguns.
*Please refrain from running or performing other forms of exercise while on the temple grounds.
Address: 4-7-35 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo
https://www.zojoji.or.jp/en/
Tokyo Tower
Tokyo Tower has been one of Tokyo’s most recognizable symbols since its opening in 1958. The tower stands at a height of 333 m in Shiba Park , which stretches along the course of the Tokyo Marathon. While the sight of Tokyo Tower can even be enjoyed from a distance, those who come close to it are more than welcome to try the “Open-Air Outdoor Stairs Walk” comprised of around 600 steps that take you up to a height of 150 m. This provides a good workout, and you can take in the scenery of Tokyo as you make your way up the stairs. The tower also has a food court where visitors can enjoy meals from various cuisines, making it an ideal lunch spot.
Address: 4-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo
https://www.tokyotower.co.jp/en/
Wadakura Fountain Park
Wadakura Fountain Park is located at the end of Gyoko-dori Avenue, the finish line of the Tokyo Marathon 2024. The park is within Kokyo Gaien National Garden, and was first developed in 1993 on the occasion of current Emperor Naruhito’s marriage, and completed in 1995. The symbol of the park is a large fountain that spouts water six meters in the air, which was originally built in 1961 to commemorate the marriage of former Emperor Akihito. Also on the grounds of the park is a waterfall installation of 5.5 m high and 30 m long, as well as other monuments where you can enjoy viewing water. There is even a rest house where you can take a break and relax indoors after a long, hard day of running.
Address: 1-1 Kokyogaien, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
https://fng.or.jp/koukyo/en/
