Cherry Blossoms and Jogging in Tokyo: The Imperial Palace (皇居)

If you want to go running during the daytime the area around the Imperial Palace might be a good choice though. The distance around the palace is around 5 km, and there are a lot to see along the way. The area around the palace is a great place to go jogging around April, as the Cherry Blossoms (known in Japanese as sakura) are blooming in this season.

Although Tokyo is a giant and (if I may say so,) slightly overcrowded city there are some green lungs in the city center where you can get a little bit closer to the nature. Tokyo does for instance have some really pretty parks such as Ueno Kōen and Yoyogi Kōen. These are especially popular around April, when people come to enjoy hanami (cherry blossom viewing) with family and friends. If you want to go jogging then these places can also be good options, or at least during the evening when it is not that crowded.

There are always a lot of people jogging around the Imperial Palace, so if you just want to take a stroll you should make sure you're not in their way. Sometimes they even have running events here, and you can for instance pass by the palace as part of the Tokyo Marathon.

Statue of Wake no Kiyomaro outside the Imperial Palace

Flowers and bamboo leaves

For those interested in visiting the Imperial Palace whether it is to go jogging or just to enjoy the sight of the historical buildings in the area you can easily find it by taking the metro to Tokyo Station. I've included a map for reference below:

Related blogposts

• All blogposts from Tokyo
• All blogposts about Cherry Blossom
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• Tokyo Cherry Blossom Spots: Nakameguro's Meguro-gawa River (目黒川)
• Hiking in Tokyo: Sakura viewing (花見) at Mount Takao
• Cherry Blossoms and Jogging in Tokyo: The Imperial Palace (皇居)
• The Tsubame Sakura Matsuri: Cherry Blossom PR & Last Minute Preparations
• Behind the Scene of the Tsubame Sakura Matsuri Festival - The Oiran Dochu
• Sakura Season in Kansai - Hanami in the Expo ’70 Commemorative Park!
• Spring in Japan: Sakura Season and Hanami in Kyoto!
• Spring in Kyoto: Ritsumeikan University Orientation Week and Cherry Blossom Hanami!
• Sakura Season: Weekend Trip to Nara

Recommended Hotels in Tokyo

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Royal Park Hotel The Shiodome

Bunka Hostel Tokyo

Sotetsu Fresa Inn Nihombashi

Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu Hotel

About Anette
Anette came to Japan as an exchange student in 2010, met the love of her life and got stuck. From her base in Tokyo she writes about her experiences as a full-time worker in Tokyo and about her travels in Japan and abroad. She's a free-spirited adventurer who enjoys both the great outdoors and her urban lifestyle.