Best Morning Runs in Tokyo (West Side): 5 Routes Worth Waking Up Early For

Best for: Serious and casual runners

The famous 5 km loop around the Imperial Palace attracts runners from all over Japan.

The route features a mix of gentle uphill and downhill sections, is well maintained, and is easy to follow. Best of all, there are no traffic lights to interrupt your run.

Expect company on weekends—this is Tokyo's most popular running route. Early mornings and weekdays, however, tend to be much quieter.

You can start anywhere along the loop, but a popular meeting point is the open plaza near Sakuradamon Gate, just a minute's walk from Hibiya Station.

Distance: 5 km per loop

Best for: First-time visitors

Yoyogi Park is one of the most popular running spots in central Tokyo. Wide paths, mature trees, and a relaxed atmosphere make it ideal for an easy morning run.

A popular route follows the park's central loop (approximately 1.15 km). If you'd like a longer run, you can follow the outer edge of the park on mostly dirt and gravel paths for a loop of around 2 km.

Like many parks in Japan, Yoyogi Park is shared by runners, walkers, cyclists, families, and dog owners. Please be considerate of others, especially during busy periods.

While running is not permitted inside Meiji Shrine, it's well worth visiting before or after your run. Early morning is one of the best times to experience the shrine, as you'll often arrive before the larger crowds. The shrine's opening hours follow daylight hours, opening at sunrise and closing around sunset.

The peaceful atmosphere in the morning makes for a much more memorable visit.

Distance: 1–2 km per loop

Best for: Urban explorers and early birds

This is one of my personal favourites.

Before the shops open, the streets are quiet and peaceful. Small cafés prepare for the day, delivery trucks arrive, and you can experience a side of Tokyo that most visitors never see.

Unlike areas such as Shibuya, Roppongi, or Ginza, Harajuku and Omotesando are not major nightlife districts. As a result, you won't encounter many late-night partygoers or people stumbling home after a night out.

Instead, you'll find calm streets, stylish architecture, and a surprisingly relaxed atmosphere.

Distance: 5–8 km

Best for: Architecture and wide boulevards

Jingu Gaien offers broad avenues lined with Tokyo's iconic ginkgo trees, which turn a spectacular golden yellow in autumn. The area also provides views of the National Stadium.

The atmosphere feels more European than many parts of Tokyo.

On weekends, you'll often find classic car enthusiasts gathering along the boulevards, adding to the area's unique character.

From Jingu Gaien, you can extend your run towards Akasaka Palace, another beautiful route featuring greenery and gentle hills.

Routes 2–4 are all located close to one another, making it easy to combine them into a longer run.

Distance: 3–5 km

Best for: A local experience

Outside cherry blossom season, the Meguro River is surprisingly peaceful.

The route passes local cafés, residential neighbourhoods, and hidden corners of the city. Expect to encounter quite a few traffic lights along the way, but that's part of the experience of running through a living city.

A good starting point is Ikejiri-Ohashi or Nakameguro. From there, you can follow the river south towards Ebisu, Meguro, and Gotanda.

Distance: Flexible