How to Run, Eat, and Bathe Your Way Through Japan
- Laura Whyms
- Aug 9
- 8 min read
Japan is one of those places that seems almost made for an adventure. Huge cities, ancient temples, volcanic mountains, peaceful forests, incredible food and some of the best transport in the world all sit within a country that feels completely different from anywhere else.
And now, more and more runners are discovering another way to experience it: by running through it.
From the streets of Tokyo to the mountain trails of Hakone and the temple paths of Kyoto, Japan offers an incredible variety of places to run. Add in steaming onsens, traditional Japanese food, bullet trains and autumn colours, and you have all the ingredients for a seriously good running holiday.
For anyone looking for a running trip that feels like much more than simply turning up somewhere new and following a few routes, Japan is hard to beat.
Contents
Why Japan is becoming a destination for runners
Japan has always had a strong running culture, but international interest in running in Japan has grown considerably in recent years.
The Tokyo Marathon has helped put Japan firmly on the map for runners around the world, with people travelling from all over to experience one of the world's great city marathons. But you do not have to be training for a marathon to enjoy running in Japan.
In fact, some of the best running experiences can be found away from the race course.
Japan is incredibly varied. One morning you can be running alongside a river in the middle of Tokyo, the next you can be climbing through volcanic mountain landscapes, and a few days later you can be following a trail beneath thousands of traditional torii gates in Kyoto.
That variety is what makes Japan such an exciting destination for running vacations and running holidays abroad.
It is also a brilliant destination for runners who want their holiday to be about more than running. You can spend the morning on a trail, eat incredible food for lunch, explore a temple in the afternoon and finish the day soaking in a hot spring.
It is running, travel, food and culture all rolled into one.
Trail running Tokyo: running through one of the world's great cities
Tokyo might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think about trail running, but running in the Japanese capital is an experience in itself.
There is something special about exploring a huge city on foot. You see the places between the famous landmarks, discover quieter streets and get a completely different sense of how the city works.
A Tokyo running route can take you alongside the Sumida River, through historic neighbourhoods and past temples such as Senso ji, before bringing you back into the energy of the city.
There is also the famous Imperial Palace running route, one of the city's most popular places to run. It offers a brilliant introduction to Tokyo, combining gardens, city views and some of the city's most recognisable landmarks.
This is what makes Trail running Tokyo so interesting. It does not have to mean disappearing into the mountains. Running in Tokyo can be about exploring the city itself.
For runners who love discovering a destination on foot, it is the perfect way to start a Japan running holiday.
Explore the mountains of Hakone
Of course, Japan is not all skyscrapers and city streets.
One of the biggest attractions for runners is the country's incredible mountain scenery, and Hakone is a perfect place to experience it.
Located within easy reach of Tokyo, Hakone is famous for its volcanic landscape, Lake Ashi, hot springs and views towards Mount Fuji.
This is where the running holiday really starts to feel like an adventure.
The trails around Hakone wind through lush forests and volcanic landscapes, with climbs, singletrack and dramatic ridgelines. On a clear day, there is also the possibility of seeing Mount Fuji rising above the surrounding landscape.
If you have ever searched for where to run Mt Fuji or dreamed about running with views of Japan's most famous mountain, this is the kind of landscape that makes the trip worthwhile.
You do not necessarily need to summit Mount Fuji to experience the mountain. For many runners, seeing Fuji from the surrounding trails is every bit as memorable.
And after a day of mountain running, there is an even better reward waiting.
A hot bath.
Eat your way through Japan
One of the best things about combining running and travel is that you get to eat.
And Japan is a pretty incredible place to be hungry.
Japanese food is about much more than sushi. Depending on where you travel, you can find ramen, yakisoba, rice dishes, noodles, tempura, local specialities, beautifully prepared breakfasts and an endless selection of small dishes and snacks.
Food is also a huge part of Japanese culture, and eating in Japan is an experience in itself.
After a morning run, sitting down to a bowl of hot ramen is a pretty good way to refuel. After a day on the trails, a traditional Japanese dinner feels even better.
On a running holiday through Japan, food becomes part of the adventure rather than something squeezed in between activities.
And because the journey moves between Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto and Osaka, there is plenty of opportunity to experience the different food cultures and styles of each place.
Osaka is particularly famous for its food, earning its reputation as one of Japan's great food cities. It is the perfect place to finish a running trip with a final meal, a few drinks and perhaps some karaoke.
Because what better way to celebrate several days of running?
Bathe like a local in a Japanese onsen
There is running.
There is eating.
And then there is bathing.
For anyone who has never experienced a Japanese onsen, a traditional hot spring bath is one of the things that makes a running holiday in Japan feel completely different from a typical running trip.
Japan has a long tradition of bathing in natural hot springs, and onsens are found throughout the country.
They are particularly well suited to runners.
After spending hours on mountain trails, climbing hills and exploring a new landscape on foot, sinking into a steaming hot bath is exactly what tired legs need.
On the Run Weekends Japan trip, the experience goes a step further with stays in traditional ryokan accommodation. Think tatami mats, Japanese hospitality, traditional bathing and the chance to experience a very different style of accommodation from a standard hotel.
It is this combination of running and recovery that makes Japan such an appealing destination for running retreats.
Run in the mountains.
Eat good food.
Soak in a hot spring.
Then do it all again the next day.
Running through Kyoto's temples and forests
After the energy of Tokyo and the mountains of Hakone, Kyoto offers something completely different.
Kyoto was once Japan's imperial capital and is famous for its temples, shrines, gardens and traditional streets. It is also a fantastic place to run.
One of the most iconic running experiences is Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its thousands of bright red torii gates winding up through the forest.
Running here feels a world away from a normal city run.
The route climbs through the forest beneath the gates, with views across Kyoto from higher up the hillside. It is part run, part hike and part sightseeing experience.
And Kyoto has plenty more to offer runners.
The quieter trails in the hills around the city provide a chance to escape the crowds and see another side of Kyoto. Forest paths, mountain views, temples and traditional architecture all come together in a way that makes running here feel completely different from running in Tokyo.
For anyone looking for an adventure running holiday that combines nature, culture and movement, Kyoto is hard to beat.
Why October is a great time for a Japan running holiday
October is a particularly good month for a Japan running holiday.
Summer can be hot and humid in many parts of Japan, while October brings more comfortable conditions for spending time outdoors. It is a great time to explore the cities and mountains without the intensity of the summer heat.
And then there are the colours.
As autumn arrives, Japan's forests begin to change, bringing reds, oranges and yellows to the landscape. The exact timing varies from place to place and from year to year, but autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons to explore Japan.
Imagine running through a forest surrounded by autumn colours, emerging onto a mountain ridge with views towards Mount Fuji, then finishing the day in a steaming onsen.
That is a pretty good reason to put Japan on your October travel list.
Why a running holiday is one of the best ways to see Japan
Japan is a huge country, and trying to see everything in one trip can feel overwhelming.
A running holiday gives you a different way to experience it.
Rather than spending your entire trip moving between tourist attractions, you get to experience each destination through movement.
You notice the small things.
You see quiet streets that you might otherwise miss. You run through forests instead of simply looking at them from a train window. You climb into the hills surrounding a city. You stop for food when you are hungry and soak in hot springs when your legs are tired.
And Japan's incredible train network makes moving between destinations surprisingly easy.
The Run Weekends trip uses Japan's famous bullet trains to connect Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto and Osaka, creating a multi stop running adventure without spending hours sitting on a coach.
It is a great balance between city running, trail running, sightseeing and travel.
Who are Japan running holidays for?
A Japan running holiday is ideal for anyone who wants to combine running with travel and adventure.
You do not need to be an elite runner or be interested in racing.
The appeal is the experience.
If you enjoy trail running holidays, running vacations, running retreats or adventure running holidays, Japan offers something completely different from a traditional European running destination.
It is also a great option for people who want to travel but do not necessarily want to travel alone.
Running holidays for singles have become increasingly popular because they offer a simple way to meet people while doing something you already enjoy. You arrive with a shared interest, spend the week running and exploring together, and naturally end up sharing meals, train journeys and experiences along the way.
That is one of the best things about small group running trips.
You get the freedom and excitement of travelling somewhere new without having to organise every detail yourself.
Run Weekends Japan running holiday
If you have been looking for a Japan running holiday that combines running, food, culture and adventure, this is exactly what the Run Weekends Japan trip is designed to do.
Over seven days, the route takes you from Tokyo to Hakone, Kyoto and Osaka, combining city runs with mountain trails and cultural routes.
There are six runs in total covering everything from a Tokyo river run and the Imperial Palace to the volcanic trails of Hakone and the forests around Kyoto.
Across the trip, there is around 50 percent trail running and 50 percent road running, making it a great option for runners who want variety rather than six straight days of mountain trails.
The running is only part of the experience.
You will travel between destinations by bullet train, stay in a mixture of city accommodation and traditional Japanese ryokan, eat group meals together and experience traditional Japanese onsens.
The result is a running adventure that allows you to see several very different sides of Japan in one trip.
Tokyo's energy.
Hakone's mountains.
Mount Fuji views.
Kyoto's temples.
Osaka's food and nightlife.
And plenty of running in between.
For anyone searching for running holidays abroad, trail running vacations, running trips or a trail running adventure that feels genuinely different, Japan is a destination worth putting high on the list.
And if October is calling, this could be the perfect time to lace up, jump on a bullet train and see Japan the best way we know how.
On foot.
Ready to run Japan?
Join Run Weekends for seven days of running, food, mountains, temples, onsens and Japanese culture, travelling from Tokyo to Hakone, Kyoto and Osaka.
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