Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on February 2010

Courtesy of AZ Worldcom Japan

Picturesque, convenient and mercifully bereft of traffic lights, the 5km route around the Imperial Palace moat has long been a popular haunt for runners of all stripes. In belated recognition of this fact, a number of dedicated running stations have begun to spring up in the area over the past few years, providing a welcome alternative to going to the sento or a pricey fitness center to wash the sweat away at the end of your jog. Last week, Adidas became the latest company to join the fray as it unveiled its Adidas Runbase in the gleaming new Hirakawacho Mori Tower by Nagatacho station. The sizeable facility has showers and nearly 250 lockers, and offers services including shoe rentals and a shop stocking the latest gear. Meanwhile, dedicated advisers aim to help so-called “lost runners” recover their mojo and improve their performance. The facilities cost ¥700 to use, with members of the Adidas aRR and Au Run & Walk communities getting ¥100 off (¥200 if you’re a member of both). The Runbase joins other jogger-friendly outfits including Runners Station, which has branches in Jinbocho and Kojimachi (www.runsta.jp), and the Asics-sponsored Joglis in Hanzomon (www.joglis.jp).

1F Hirakawacho Mori Tower, 2-16-2 Hirakawacho, Chiyoda-ku. Tel: 03-3261-9980. Open daily 7am-10pm. Nearest stn: Nagatacho, exit 4. www.adirepublic.jp/life/challenge/runbase