Imperial Palace 5K Running Route

Getting there

Start on the moat-side sidewalk just outside Sakuradamon Gate. Exit 3 of Sakuradamon Station on the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line opens onto the sidewalk about 30 m away. You can also join the loop at Exit 2 of Takebashi Station, about 2 km in.

There is nowhere to leave bags at the start, but nearby running stations such as Asics Run Tokyo Marunouchi have lockers and showers. Toilets are by Gaisen Moat near the start, at Takebashi, and in Chidorigafuchi Park across the road.

On the run

Run counterclockwise with the palace on your left, the direction local runners follow. The route heads east to Iwaidabashi, then north along Uchibori-dori between the pines of Kokyo Gaien and the Marunouchi skyline. Across the moats you see the Sakurada-tatsumi turret, Otemon Gate and Hirakawamon.

After Takebashi, the sidewalk climbs gently west past Inui Gate toward Chidorigafuchi, one of Tokyo’s best-known cherry blossom spots. It then turns south past Hanzomon Gate and runs downhill beside the wide Sakurada Moat back to Sakuradamon.

For a longer run, two laps make our 10K route.

For a greener 5K, try our Kitanomaru Park and Chidorigafuchi route.

For a longer loop with a detour through Kitanomaru Park, try our 6.4 km route.