Mizumoto Koen

I finally made it to Mizumoto Koen, one of my favorite parks. I have made many trips to the park by car with the family, but this was the first time I was able to get here for a run. The day I chose was a little hot (June 7, 2009), but I was amply rewarded with the route I chose, making my base Kanamachi Station, which can be reached by either the JR or Keisei lines. Click on the title to see the slide show.

I used the coin lockers directly at the point marked “start” on the map for 300 yen. If they are taken, there are more coin lockers on the other side of JR Kanamachi Station. You will see by the map that I ran west toward the Nakagawa River, and then headed north and followed the river to a dam which controls the flow of water that flows into the park. Along this first section on the map I marked an “A,” which happens to be a public bath that you can use after your run.

I was either running in the neighborhoods adjacent to the Nakagawa River, or along the river itself on the grass path. The path next to the river is not always available so you need to be flexible about it. The neighborhood was pleasant although this section did not have any public drinking fountains and not much shade.

There is a river branch that forms the water next to Mizumoto Koen and this flow is controlled by a dam. This is a big blue obvious landmark and there are several marinas on the far shore. Do not cross the river at the dam and instead turn right and run along the top of the dike under the cherry trees, it will lead you to the entrance of Mizumoto Koen. At first you will think you took a wrong turn and have ended up in the Louisiana bayou but stick with it as it will bring you to the park entrance.

Once inside the park, I was distracted from my run by the various nature stations such as the one for the Kawasemi, a bird of the Kingfisher family. I also stopped to take a picture of a large snake, probably the common Aodaisho, which was searching for food among the lotus near the riverbank. And I caught the end of the Iris Festival. Although the stage was being swept as I ran by, the iris were looking terrific in their elegant purple and white and shades in between. You will have to get over there quick, though, if you want to see them before next year!

That said, this park is great anytime of the year, with its tremendous size, the large green, the river and canals running through it, and large shade trees. I would not recommend running the first section of this route in August unless it is cloudy and the temperature is comfortable. I drank 3 liters of fluids during and directly after this run.

Exiting from the east end is a little tricky as you try and reach the Edo River. I was able to do it without leaving the park but if you do end up on the road, head east. There is one large road to cross (which I did running underneath the flyover) and then I entered a sports area with a baseball diamond and tennis courts that sat in front of the Tokyo waterworks building. Behind the building is the Edo River.

Once you climb to the top of the dike, turn right. You will run a couple of kilometers here and for a short time along a small golf course. This area was great when I ran it but if it is windy, it will be more work. I ran underneath the JR trestle and Route 6, and then climbed the bank to turn right and run to Kanamachi Station. But I have mapped the route not running beyond the tracks instead turning right before them. Follow the tracks back to the station. This is a more straightforward course.

After reaching the station, I grabbed by bag and walked to the sento (public bath). It was an old style place. It cost 450 yen and was refreshing. I was in a hurry so I could not try the ancient massage chair for 20 yen. This is the kind of place you bring your own washcloth, towels, shampoo and soap. The more flexible you are, the more you will enjoy it—like the shower with 2 shower heads—that’s right, one cold and one hot!

Tamagawa Josui: Beginnings

I am happy to report that the effort required to introduce this run to you today was way more than worth it. The course is a joy, seeing the waterworks at the beginning of the canal was interesting, and the hot springs experience at the end of my run was a rich reward. Let me describe how I did it but then let me provide you with some alternatives that I think will be more straightforward and enjoyable.

My first priority for this run was to see the waterworks at the beginning of the Tamagawa Josui. The closest station to this is Hamura Station on the JR Ome line. You are very close to Yokota Airbase here. The Ome line begins from JR Tachikawa Station and can be reached from JR Shinjuku Station using the Chuo line. From Tachikawa Station there are 2 train lines that head toward Haijima and Hamura, but the Itsukaichi line crosses the Tamagawa after Haijima Station while only the Ome line will take you to Hamura. I intended to run from Hamura, back through Haijima, to TamagawaJosui Station along the canal (where I began the last time I ran along the canal), and then to run back upstream to Haijima Station and pick up my bag. I took a guess that I could reach the hot springs Yuranosato by bus from Haijima Station but I was wrong. The bus travels to JR Akishima Station, but there are only 3 buses an hour, so you need to check the schedule or walk there from Haijima Station, which is about a kilometer. The walk was pleasant, even if it was the 3rd time I passed that way in a day, and already completed a 22k run.

The course I decided upon was to see the canal waterworks, to run along it for as long as possible but as I could tell by the map that a significant section of the canal runs through private property without a thruway, I chose a section along the bank of the Tamagawa, with the plan to rejoin the canal near JR Haijima Station. I alighted the train at Haijima Station and found a coin locker inside the turnstiles. They do not have lockers outside the turnstiles at this time. When I returned, I explained at the ticket office that I only wanted to collect my bag, showing them my locker key and they let me retrieve it without having to purchase a ticket.

From Haijima, I boarded the train for Hamura and was there in a couple of minutes. Hamura is tiny and looking West I could see where the Tamagawa was flowing. From here it is a straightforward jog down the hill from the West exit of the station. You cross one traffic light and then you will reach the river and the waterworks can be examined and the canal and its path can be accessed by a set of stairs directly across the intersection.

After hanging around taking pictures and reading about the canal and its construction, I headed downstream along the canal until I reached the intersection where the canal meets the Tamagawa Kaido , a reasonably busy road without much space for more than cars (about 2 and a half kilometers from the start at the station). The diagonal turn to the right, running down the leisurely slope is fairly obvious and brought me back to the wide Tamagawa. Importantly, this section has plenty of toilets but no drinking fountains. I ran along the Tamagawa until I found the JR Itsukaichi train trestle (the name is written in small letters on the base of the bridge), but it is right at the 5 kilometer point. Pass under the bridge and head up of the bank. My advice is to stick with the tracks as best you can without crossing them until you pass JR Kumagawa Station. This area has a number of train tracks that can get you running in the wrong direction if you guess wrongly which one you just crossed. Keep in mind you are between the Tamagawa river proper and the canal. The toughest spot is in finding the canal again where there is a path along it. You need to find the entrance of Mizukuraido Park and this park has the path that puts you right back with the canal but the entrance to the park is not next to the canal (it is to the right if you are headed downstream), and it is not easy to find the entrance to the path once you get into the park--and if you cannot find it, you are trapped between the train tracks of the Hachiko line and the Ome line.

Tamagawa Josui Where it Begins

The fact is that if you ran this route backwards from TamagawaJosui Station (Seibu Haijima line) upstream, it is much more straightforward. The Mizukuraido Park is joined to the Nikkobashi Park (which appears to have a rock climbing practice monolith if you get bored). The connection of the two parks is obvious when running upstream through Nikkobashi Park. If heading downstream, Haijima Station is just ahead on the right.

From here to TamagawaJosui Station, there are no further obstacles and the route can be run on the dirt path under the shade of the trees or along the asphalt or dirt side roads. You get a bit of different surface depending on which side of the canal you are running.

As I mentioned earlier, the Yuranosato hot springs--think of it as a luxury version of a sento--are on the left bank, after you cross the train tracks of the Seibu Haijima line at the 8th kilometer on the map I have provided. Please find a link to this place here. Personally, I will not run this route without including this bath and a refreshment at the end of the run. It is just TOO comfortable to get out of the wet clothes and wash off the dust and then to relax there next to the canal with the woods to rest your eyes while you have a drink and a treat before getting back on the train for home.

The best section of this run was between Haijima Station and TamagawaJosui Station and if you run it as an out and back run, it is 14k.

SO MY SUGGESTION IS…that you go directly to Yuranosato with your bag and use their coin lockers they have for shoes at the entrance to store your bag before you start your run. There are some extra large lockers at the back for families, which I believe can hold your stuff. From there you have a lot of choice. You can run beyond TamagawaJosui Station—in fact, you could run to JR Mitaka Station, and ride the train back to JR Akishima Station (changing trains at JR Tachikawa Station) and ride the bus to the baths. But I found the elevation change running upstream to be almost unnoticeable and recommend the out and back. Alternatively, you could start at Yuranosato, run downstream and back the 14k and continue up to Hamura Station and ride back to Haijima. Anyway, this run is going to cost you train fare, the bath, buying water if you are not carrying it, and possibly bus fare. Enjoy!

Claska Hotel 14K

I am documenting this run for the people that stay at the Claska Hotel in Meguro. You can get to the Claska Hotel via Tokyu Bus number one leaving from JR Meguro Station and get off at the stop named Shimizu. The hotel is on the other side of Meguro Dori, a little bit ahead but can be clearly seen from the bus stop.

I have mapped a 6K to the Meguro River as well. You can find that map on mapmyrun.com as well.

The photos (click the title to link to the photos) are along the 14K route. I have managed to avoid the major roads to allow the runner to get to some beautiful spaces around Meguro. You can shorten this route by not running the 2K loop inside Komazawa Olympic Park. There is water and toilets near the middle of the run, particularly along the cherry tree pedestrian path. The last section is through a neighborhood and you may end up wanting to purchase a drink from a vending machine, especially now that the days are warmer. Alas, you have about 51 weeks to wait for the cherry blossoms but there is plenty to enjoy coming up, including the wisteria which will be blooming very soon and the hydrangea in May and June. Don't miss them!

Karasuyama River Pedestrian Path

I came across another excellent pedestrian path in the neighborhood of the Meguro River headwaters in Setagaya ku. Its name is “Karasuyama Kawa Midori Chi” (Crow Mountain River Green Space), and I learned a lot about this route and its cousin, the Kitazawa River Green Space, which I described in the very first post to this blog--before I knew it had a name! I found out how nice the Karasuyama path is when I went “off piste”last Sunday Apr 4, having turned south after Yamashita Koen. I have updated the Hachimanyama Station post's slide show with the route in full blossom as well so check it out below (see "A Great Route to Try for the New Year" posted in January 2009). You can click on the title of this post to get a look at what I am talking about today.

The Karasuyama River path is on average wider than the Kitazawa River path, with a little less shade cover and landscaping in sections but may offer more to those that want to run fast. I was able to find toilets and drinking fountains at my leisure and enjoyed 2 hours of sometimes intense running in warm weather, never buying a drink.

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When creating the map for this run I decided to combine the Karasuyama route with the Hachimanyama (Kitazawa) route because they join together near Ikejiri Ohashi and they run roughly parallel with a similar length. How come? According to an explanation I found on a sign along the course, both the Kitazawa and Karasuyama waterways were allowed to take water from the Tamagawa Josui (see my February post), so they both began at points along the original Tamagawa Josui. This license to extract water for drinking and irrigation was granted during the Edo period by the Shogun’s government. There was a change to this from the Taisho period and then the construction of the path over the river (which is no longer used as drinking water), was begun in the Showa period. In fact, the waters that you see flowing as a small decorative stream is supplied by pipe from a water treatment source near Shinjuku. As my source for this information was the sign along the route, please forgive any factual errors.

I suggest that first timers follow the route by going upstream via the Kitazawa River path (keep to the right from Ikejiri Ohashi), through Umegaoka and toward Hachimanyama Station. Study the map carefully in the neighborhood of Hachimanyama as you are on residential roads with few obvious landmarks. I have identified what I think is the most straightforward route but you could miss the left turn for the road that heads for the beginning of the Karasuyama path. If that happens, keep heading west and you will either come across the Karasuyama path, or hit Route 311 (Kanpachi Dori), in either case, head left. The Karasuyama River path is easy to recognize. If you have joined it not at the very end, you are probably very near to its entrance anyway. There is a large botanical garden on the other side of Route 311 if you have the time to explore it before heading back. The Karasuyama River path will be difficult to follow only at Kibogaoka Park. Keep left but only to the next traffic light and the route is on the right and connected to Kibogaoka Park. After this it is hard to get lost heading back. I hope you enjoy this route as much as I do!

Tamagawa Josui

What the heck is a Josui? It is a man-made water canal for irrigation, drinking water, or for industry. I am excited to describe this route to you because for 19.5 kilometers, this path cuts a straight line of peace, soothing green, and bird chirping across a big chunk of the Tokyo map west of Shinjuku. I combined this run with my favorite Hachimanyama to Meguro run (see Jan 5 entry below) to create about 34 kilometers of very comfortable running. I never needed to buy water because of the abundance of drinking fountains along the way (it also happened to be freezing cold which reduced my need for water), and finding a toilet was never a concern.

In this run I basically just ran home but have mapped for you the course related to the route along the Josui. When this path ends as the Chuo Freeway intersects the stream, study the map for where you would like to finish. At this point it is 19.5 kilometers from the Tamagawa Josui St. start, but the map attached will take you all the way to Hachimanyama St., in the event you want to use that station to get back home or alternatively run all the way to Ikejiri Ohashi or Naka Meguro. The Takaido St. is also very close. To get there, travel east along the Chuo Freeway, then left at Kanpachi Dori and the tracks will come into view after about 1km. The station is to the left again.



Take a look at the slides and decide if this is the kind of place you prefer. I have run much of this route twice so far, once running upstream and most recently I ran downstream. Most of it you have a choice of the dirt path which is part of the josui landscaping or asphalt road adjacent. The morning I ran after the frost, it was a little muddy on the paths.

Tamagawa Josui

The entire course is not total bliss, particularly the section of about 4 kilometers upstream of Mitaka Station (Chuo Line), but the short sections where you are running next to a road are frequently situated with the path higher than the adjacent road.

About 2 kilometers of the route is paved with running track material, believe it or not. This was on the left bank as I ran downstream from about the 6th kilometer. You will note my map makes a detour into the Koganei park, which you might consider if you need a toilet and a drinking fountain (but there are plenty up ahead as well). The park has a museum for Tokyo buildings from the old days. It’s worth a look.

Kiba

Before I introduce a run, I always run it myself first. And to the extent possible I like to provide you with a way to try the run comfortably, which means to identify the train or bus route and hopefully a place to shower afterwards. I did not get the shower part down this time, sorry.

Kiba is a section of Tokyo that has experienced some of the biggest physical changes over the last 100 years. Located just above the northwest end of Tokyo bay, its name comes from the raw lumber trade for which the area was famous when moving the great logs by water was the most efficient form of transportation. It is an area that has experienced some land reclamation but still has many canals and waterways criss-crossing the neighborhoods. The population there now is mostly living in recently built high rise residential towers but there is also plenty of small and medium manufacturing going on. There are a number of bridges over these waterways that afford you with some dramatic views of the tall buildings juxtaposed with the canals and river craft. And there happen to be some excellent running paths. My original scouting run found the best spot in the middle of the run and then moved on to an area along the Arakawa and Fukagawa rivers. Lets start with the poorer parts first. The Fukagawa has experienced some well meaning work in terms of landscaping, but there are so many bridges crossing it that there is no decent view as you run it and precious few trees. Concrete, water, steel, dirt and grass fields are what make up this course. The trail itself is dirt and soft and you can go several kilometers without stopping. The Arakawa is a better river run but it is a much bigger river with a lot of open space and very windy. If there is any wind inland, don’t come out here to run because it will be gale force. The Fukagawa had some homeless living under the bridges. If you are interested in volunteer work with the homeless, I can set you up with a couple of groups, but when it comes to your running, there are better places, one of them very nearby.

Toyosu, Kiba, Fukagawa

The good stuff: There is a particular canal that runs right down the middle of Kiba park. This is a great pedestrian path and avoids several intersections by running under the bridges, some of them on floating sidewalks. Great landscaping, waterfalls and fountains and adjoining parks keep your interest. There are several of these paths to explore in Kiba. You can reach Kiba Park via the Tozai line and get off at Kiba Station using the exit 1. I admit on this trip I did not use a public bath. I found one but as I actually drove with my family to Toyosu, I started my run from Toyosu to Kiba (not necessarily recommended), and toweled off before changing in the car before going home. My guess is that the park at the end may have showers but not all public showers have hot water…

Sections of this route will not have drinking fountains. Toilets were reasonably plentiful along the pedestrian paths and in the parks.

A Run with Rivers Through It

The course in question is along the Zenpukuji and the Kanda rivers, both of which have had joggers running next to them for quite a while. I packed a small bag which included a towel and change of clothes and headed to Kichijoji station (JR Chuo Line) on a gorgeous December 19, 2008. There is a link to some of the photos I took as well as one here for you to get an idea. At the station I found a coin locker and left my bag there. The key to the locker was clunky and I ended up running with it in my hand the whole course.

I boarded the Kanto bus 吉８０ (for Ome Kaido Eigyosho) leaving from bus stop number 1 from the North exit of Kichijoji station. I asked the driver to let me off at the closest stop to Zenpukuji park, and that stop is called Tokyo Joshidai Mae. That is approximately the 7th bus stop. If you miss your stop, it’s no worry. You need to walk north and you will bump into either the park or the Zenpukuji River. From Tokyo Joshidai Mae stop, walk to the next intersection in the same direction that the bus was travelling and turn left. Walk the length of the college wall on your left and as the road curves to your left at the back, you can see the park across the street and down a small hill. The park and pond are to your left and worth a look before you begin your journey.

The park will quickly give way to a concrete embanked river with paths on either side. There will be one place about 1 kilometer downstream where a public school will block access to the road immediately next to the river and you will have to detour. That happens only once, and beyond that point until you hit construction that is taking place at the bottom of the Zenpukuji River Park, there will be no obstacles—but plenty of road crossings. I found this upper section a little bleak but within a couple of kilometers you come upon the great park that provides shade and a good running surface for several kilometers. This was the highlight of the run in terms of the running environment. Once beyond the park there was construction along the river in 2 locations, the second of which required a major detour and I was completely separated from the river in a concrete canyon of old apartment buildings. I only got back on track because a runner passed me there and I fell in at her pace and followed until the river appeared again. This is not a great section of run, particularly if you cross Kannana dori and insist on seeing where the mighty Zenpukuji flows into the mighty Kanda River (I have a picture of it in the slide show to dissuade any images of romance in your mind). I would instead direct you to turn right when you reach Kannana (which means “number 7 ring road,” by the way), and stay on this road until you come to the Kanda river and then turn right again and head upstream.

The Kanda river path lacks the beauty of the park section that the Zenpukuji has, but the path is in good shape and importantly, I ran a 5 kilometer stretch of it without stopping (luck played a hand at one crossing). The Kanda River therefore might offer more for the runner than the jogger. It also has a section marking distance on the fence. This is on the right bank as you run upstream. I recommend staying to the right as much as possible because near the end of the run, the left side road will get cut off from the river and it is tricky to get back to the river path. In my case, I did not get back until the entrance of Inokashira Park. This is another big park with a great reputation. It has a museum in it devoted to Gibili studios, that brought you Tottoro, etc. The neighborhood is great between the park and Kichijoji station with lots of fun shops and restaurants that cater to the park visitors. It’s a busy place that has a lot going for it except for the one thing I wanted after 20+ kilos of running – a public bath to take a shower.

The downside of copying this run to the letter is that there is no bath that is convenient to Kichijoji station, not near the Inokashira Koen nor the Zenpukuji Koen. The reason I picked Kichijoji as my train station was because it sits next to Inokashira Koen where I determined that I would complete my run.

I suggest as an alternative to exit the JR Chuo line at Ogikubo station and find a coin locker for your gear and take the Kanto bus(南善福寺 荻３６: South Zenpukuji Ogikubo route 36) directly to Zenpukuji Park.

This is because there is a sento (public bath) right beside the station. It is just to the left of the West exit and is called Yutopia, Nagomi no Yu (Tel 03-3398-4126). This way when you finish at Inokashira Park, you can board the train at Kichijoji and travel 2 stops to Ogikubo and pick up your gear from the coin locker and then visit the sento.

A Run with Rivers Through It

Whichever direction you decide to run, the course along both rivers is virtually flat and paths well maintained. Toilets are plentiful at the big parks and I did not go more than a 2 kilometer stretch without coming across one. There are drinking fountains in the parks as well, and the usual vending machines if you need a sports drink. Importantly, although you are running along the river and for a couple of sections you have some nature with you, you are literally a couple of steps away from the convenience and helpful infrastructure of the largest metropolis in the world. Running these courses I only take my camera and a couple of thousand yen. If I need a drink I either find a fountain or buy water as opposed to carrying it. I.D. is good to have in case you are running alone and lose consciousness. That is more of a summer worry though.