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.
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.
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.
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| 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.
