While on the Subject of Running in the Dark

Is it a toad, the carcass of a rat, or something else I don’t want to step in? As my concentration is now on the dark pile a few meters ahead, other thoughts are set aside until I get by another leaf. Yes, like the black discarded cord that might be a snake, the various things I find in my path in the evening or early morning are all more scary when they are indistinct shapes and monochrome in the dim street light with little to protect me from the squashed toad or the pile of dog poo. It would be nice to think that in Tokyo, none of these worries apply, but in my neighborhood, I encounter as many toads or lizards as I do pet detritus (maybe once a week from Spring to Fall), which is to say that Tokyo is quite pristine. One reason is that the upkeep of the road is considered by society as the responsibility of the community living in front of it, and most communities are still capable of fulfilling it with pride.

If you happen to be running in central Roppongi, Shinjuku or Ikebukuro, you are probably having a laugh. But the laugh is unfortunately on you if you are not making a small 100 meter detour to avoid the heavily traveled thoroughfares and choose the tidy little streets that provide every runner here a haven and a short cut.

Let me introduce you to perhaps the most popular running location in the world--Tokyo's Imperial Palace. You will be hard put to discover any litter, let alone rats or pet droppings on your run. It is super-safe, well lit, and a continuous 5 kilometer loop--not a single traffic light. The grounds in front of the palace are covered in grass with beautiful black pines and the office buildings of Hibiya, Marunouchi, and Otemachi add interest to the frame with their patterns of lit offices. The moat, especially as you run down the slope beyond Hanzomon, is almost romantic. You can reach it via Hibiya or Nijubashimae or Otemachi Stations on the Chiyoda or Mita lines, Takebashi Station on the Tozai line, Hanzomon Station on the Hanzomon line or perhaps easiest, Sakuradamon Station on the Yurakucho line. There are numerous entries for this route on mapmyrun.com. I picked out one for you to visit, just click on the title to follow the link.

Is there anything not to like about this run? The route is not flat, so beginners be warned. The roads around the palace are very large and usually busy so the air is not great. This is a very popular place for clubs and charities to hold running events. The route is never closed to the public regardless of the event, but the course can be practically unavailable if there are a 1,000 runners competing with you for space on the sidewalk.