On Sunday, February 23, 2014 at 9:10AM about 35,000 runners will run through the streets of Tokyo for the 2014 Tokyo Marathon. On November 2012, Tokyo joined the ranks of London, Boston, Berlin, Chicago and New York as a World Marathon Major city. The Tokyo Marathon is an annual sporting event that aims to foster international friendships through the love of running. The running course is meant to symbolize the past, present and future of Tokyo and is as follows: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building — Iidabashi — Imperial Palace — Hibiya — Shinagawa — Ginza — Nihonbashi — Asakusa Kaminari-monTsukiji — Toyosu — Tokyo Big Sight.
Course Highlights
Located in Shunjuku the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is the headquarters of the Tokyo government and governs the cities and towns that make up the whole of Tokyo. There two panoramic observatories in each tower on the 45th floor, is free of charge and open to the public. The Tokyo Tourist Information Center is also on the 1st floor of the main building. On a clear day, you might be able to see Mt. Fuji.
Imperial Palace Imperial Palace
Located within the heart of Tokyo, the Imperial Palace was first established as the Edo Palace and was a place where Tokugawa Ieyasu formed the Tokugawa Shougnate, the last feudal military government in Japan are ruled bewteen 1600 to 1868. The Edo Palace was renamed the Imperial Palace during the Meiji Restoration in 1868. The Nijubashi bridge in front of the main entrance is popular as a photo spot.
Tokyo Tower
Built in 1958, the broadcasting tower is 333m tall. You can look across the entire city of Tokyo at a glance from the two observatories. In the main observatory (150m) get a 360 degree panoramic view of Tokyo and in the special observatory (250m) you might be able to see as far as Mt. Fuji on a clear day. There is an admission fee to the enter both observatories.
Ginza 4-Chome Intersection Ginza 4-Chome Intersection
The distinctive architecture of Ginza surrounds the intersection of Chuo-Dori St. and Harumi-Dori St. The intersection is in the heart of Ginza, an up-market area.
Tokyo Station Tokyo Station
Built in 1914 in the Renaissance style using 8.9 million pieces of red brick, the station is a major point for Japan's railway systems and also operates an art museum, the Tokyo Station Gallery.
Asakusa Kaminarimon Gate Asakusa Kaminarimon Gate
The grand Kaminarimon Gate with a large lantern is a famouse landmark and leads to the Nakamise shopping arcade and Senso-ji Temple, a buddhist temple said to be built in 628.
Tokyo SkyTree Tokyo SkyTree
Built in 2012, the broadcasting tower is 634m tall. You can look across the entire city of Tokyo at a glance from the two observatories. Tickets to Tokyo SkyTree can be reserved online or on site. The Tokyo Solamachi complex surrounds Tokyo SkyTree.
Tokyo Big Site Tokyo Big Site
With the total area of 230,000 square meters, Tokyo Big Sight is Japan’s largest comprehensive convention institution that has two exhibition halls and a conference institution on a vast scale.
Source: Tokyo Marathon 2014 Brochure
Although Tokyo Big Sight is usually used as a check-in point for the Tokyo Marathon entrants, the organizers behind the Tokyo Marathon will also hold a 3-day warm-up pre-race event. The pre-race event is open to the general public and will have the opportunity to experience current Japanese running culture and mingle with serious leisure runners and people who are interested in taking up running. The Tokyo Marathon Expo will take place on Thursday, February 20 - Saturday, February 22, 2013 and will open it's doors at 11:30AM.