10月8日
Today, we introduce the jogging course of the runner’s mecca, the Imperial Palace. There are several ways to access the Imperial Palace, this time we will go to the jogging course from Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Station. Aim for Exit 6 of Hanzomon Station. There is a coin locker in the branch to Exit 6.
Go out onto the ground from the subway exit, cross the crosswalk in front of you, and go straight.
There were also running stations along the way. You can change here and use the shower.
Arrive at the Imperial Palace jogging course. There is a little plaza, and there are water drinking places and restrooms nearby.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
This is today’s course. Proceed counterclockwise in front of Hanzomon. Counterclockwise is the etiquette for jogging at the Imperial Palace, so make sure not to make that mistake. It is a 5km course.
As soon as you start jogging, it goes downhill so you can run comfortably.
This is where the downhill ends. The water surface is visible nearby.
I could see Sakurada Gate far ahead.
After passing through Sakurada Gate…
Come out to the square.
Join the sidewalk again.
Since today is Sunday and the “Palace Cycling” day, there are no cars on this section of the road. Only bicycles pass by occasionally. Without cars it is quiet and soothing. Someday, I want to ride a bicycle myself.
You can see a double bridge in the distance to your left.
Go further and pass near Kikyo Gate.
Passing near Otemon…
Arrived at Takebashi. There is a plaza nearby, a place to drink water, and a restroom 🚻.
Move forward, looking at the moat on the left.
It’s hard to tell from the photo, but it’s uphill.
At the end of the climb, you pass next to the highway entrance. The course is a bit narrow around here, so please be careful when passing.
After going a little further, it goes downhill and turns left at the Chidorigafuchi intersection.
After climbing the gentle uphill path, I arrived in front of Hanzomon and completed one lap.
Since I still had some stamina left, I ran to JR Tokyo Station. The Imperial Palace jogging course has moderate ups and downs and has nice scenery, making it a course suitable for long runs.
