In Tokyo I Learned The Joys And Frustrations Of...

Tokyo, Japan

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Posted:  Thursday, September 21
Runner:  Alexandra E. Harney

In Tokyo I learned the joys and frustrations of city running. Tokyo is polluted, convoluted, and filled with smokers. But the sidewalks are clean and wide, and pedestrian bridges arch over the most congested intersections. In Tokyo, you can't miss the 5k loop around the Imperial Palace at lunchtime or twilight for the ultimate tour. The sights of the city revolve around you, glowing in neon or stately in heavy concrete, and the palace is only a mossy moat away. Other parks abound for safe daytime running, including Yoyogi Park (not the neighboring Meiji-jingu park, where the dark wide paths are tempting, but where a uniformed guard will inevitably wave you off with broken English) and Shinjuku Gyoen (300 yen to get in but the most beautiful park you'll ever see).

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