Walking” the marathon course is not a very cool title, but oh well.
About a month ago, the marathon course for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics was announced. I was curious to see what kind of scenery the athletes would see while running, so I decided to walk the course!
The marathon course is usually the same route for a round trip. So I decided to always walk on the left side of the road and pay attention to what I see in the direction of travel so that I can enjoy the return trip as well.
On today’s walk, I was surprised to find that there were more ups and downs than I expected right after leaving the new national stadium.
Shinanomachi – New National Stadium
Shinanomachi Station
I started from Shinanomachi station. This station has always had the look of a modern station building.
Long queue at Jingu Gaien
There was a long line at Jingu Gaien. It seemed to be people attending the Nogizaka46 Midsummer National Tour 2018.
Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium
I found the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium! The marathon course passes between this gymnasium and the new national stadium under construction, which is slightly visible on the left. Rather than walking straight to the course, I decided to go around the National Stadium and then go out to the course.
The new national stadium under construction
Of the several photos I took, this one gave me the most extensive view of the new national stadium under construction. Hmmm, complex structure.
VICTOR STUDIO
To the southwest of the new national stadium is the VICTOR STUDIO. There are no windows, probably for acoustics.
New National Stadium – approx. 6.5km
Near the exit of the new national stadium
Now it was time for the athletes to come out onto Gaien Nishi Dori.
Uphill climb leading to Route 20
From here, it’s an uphill climb to Route 20.
Shinjuku Gyoen
The Shinjuku Imperial Garden appeared on my left. The trees are lush.
It is said to be the place where Soji Okita passed away
A sign in the leaves of the hydrangeas said, “This is the place where Okita Soji passed away. This is where the house of Uekiya Heigoro was located and where he had been recuperating.
There was one more interesting thing written on the sign.
Another interesting thing was written on the plaque: “The Ikejiri Bridge spans the old Tamagawa josui water outlet (called the Shibuya River) at this location.
I walked along the Shibuya River last fall, which made me nostalgic and renewed my awareness that the old Tamagawa josui was one of the water sources.
Also, it says about Ikejiri Bridge in the past tense, but it does not say that the Shibuya River is still existing or not. Is it still there after being culverted?
Disaster relief wells 1
Disaster relief wells 2
Disaster relief wells 3
As I walked along with this in mind, I found three disaster cooperation wells every two minutes, starting with the well next to the bus stop in Naito-machi Daikyo-cho! At least the well by the bus stop had good water. Are these wells water from the Shibuya River or groundwater?
National Route 20 (Yotsuya 4-chome intersection)
Two minutes after the last well, I reached Route 20. This is also the old Koshu Kaido, which runs along the ridge and is almost the same route as the old Tamagawa Jyosui.
Downhill on Gaien Nishi Dori
Once we crossed Route 20, it became a steep downhill. It seems difficult to adjust the pace in a marathon.
Downhill on Yasukuni Street
It climbs a little towards the intersection of Tomihisa-cho West, and then turns right at the intersection into Yasukuni Street, which is downhill again. There are really many ups and downs.
If you are going 20km/h, you will feel the slope is quite steep. There seems to be a lot of strain on your legs.
The ruins of the former residence of Koizumi Yakumo
In front of the main gate of Seijyo Gakuen, there is a sign that says “Former Residence of Lafcadio Hearn” (Koizumi Yakumo). I wonder if this is where he compiled his ghost stories. It was also mentioned that there was a monument to the former residence of Koizumi Yakumo, but I couldn’t find it.
Radio tower of the Ministry of Defense
When the hill finally came to an end, I saw the radio tower of the Ministry of Defense. It’s so majestic, it might put quite a bit of psychological pressure on the foreign athletes!
Chuo University Ichigaya Campus
After passing Akebonobashi Bridge, the Chuo University Ichigaya Campus appears. It’s adjacent to the Ministry of Defense.
Near the main gate of the Ministry of Defense
After the high walls of the Ministry of Defense, the main gate appears.
There was a notice on the bulletin board that you can visit the museum on weekdays if you make a reservation in advance and show your photo ID. The tour is said to include the memorial hall, honour square, and welfare building. I think I’ll apply for a reservation next time.
Near the Ichigaya Mitsuke intersection
Yasukuni Street turns to the right at the intersection of Ichigayamitsuke. The road going straight ahead is Sotobori-dori, and the marathon course is on that side.
From here, the road runs parallel to the Chuo Line for a while, and there are few ups and downs.
Botchan no tower
I found a monument in front of the Tokyo University of Science. It’s called “Botchan no tower”, named after the fact that the main character in Natsume Soseki’s “Botchan” was a teacher who graduated from the Tokyo School of Physics (the predecessor of the University of Science). However, I don’t think there are many people who can immediately associate this with Botchan.
Kagurazaka
Kagurazaka. It’s always crowded.
There was a banner for the Kagurazaka Festival, saying that the Hozuki Market would be held on July 25 and 26, and the Awa Odori dance on July 27 and 28. It looks like it will be even more crowded than usual.
Iidabashi 5-way intersection
Climbing the pedestrian bridge at the five-way intersection in Iidabashi, I am not sure of the direction.
This time, it looks like I should go in the direction the highway is heading.
Pedestrian bridge at Korakubashi intersection
Pedestrian bridge at Korakubashi intersection. It has been a long time since I remembered how excited I was to cross this bridge when I was in elementary school on my way to Korakuen.
Suidobashi intersection
The marathon course turns right at the Suidobashi intersection and enters Hakusan-dori.
According to the Edo Meisho Zue, the name Suidobashi comes not from the bridge itself, but from the fact that there was a flume that ran a little downstream from the Kanda River.
Since I was in front of the station, I decided to end my walk here today.
This is the 6.5km point of the marathon course.
Walking data
Course: JR Chuo Line Shinanomachi Station -> New National Stadium -> 6.5km point -> JR Chuo Line Suidobashi Station
Distance: 8.6km
Time: 2h9m
