Walking is, of course, a classic way to explore the city. When browsing books on Kyoto, you often see headings like “Kyoto Walking Routes” or “Strolling Through Kyoto.” However, Kyoto is also a wonderful place to run. Here are three main reasons why:
Reason 1: Few Steep Hills
Kyoto sits in a basin surrounded by mountains on three sides, which means the central city is relatively flat. With the exception of some hilly areas in the east and north, there are very few steep slopes, making it easy and comfortable to run.
Reason 2: History, City Life, and Nature—All in One
From World Heritage temples and shrines to the natural setting of the Kamo River, and from business districts to residential neighborhoods, Kyoto brings many layers together in a compact area. Running through the city allows you to experience its history, culture, and living traditions all at once. Feeling the city’s terrain directly is part of the appeal.
Reason 3: Easy Navigation, Fewer Wrong Turns
Central Kyoto is laid out in a grid pattern—often described as a “checkerboard.” This dates back to the construction of the Heian period capital (794) using a Chinese-style grid-based planning system at the time. As long as you keep a rough sense of direction, it’s easy to avoid getting lost. Also, with relatively few high-rise buildings, landmarks are easy to spot: Mt. Daimonji to the east, Kyoto Tower to the south—helpful visual cues that make orientation simple, especially for visitors.
Kyoto is great for walking—but it’s just as enjoyable for running.
Finish an early-morning run and enjoy breakfast, or combine a run with sightseeing. The city is also home to many old-fashioned public bathhouses, perfect for easing tired muscles afterward. A sauna session is another great way to refresh and unwind.
Here, we’ve selected five short running courses (2–6 km) that are easy to enjoy even during short breaks in your travel schedule. Each course starts near a conveniently located station.
Aquí se presentarán
- Kinukake-no-Michi Route: Run Through Three World Heritage Sites
- Kyoto Station Route: From Modern Architecture to Some of Japan’s Largest Temples
- Kitayama & Nakaragi-no-Michi Route: From Shrine Neighborhood to the Kamo River
- The Philosopher’s Path Route: A Tour of Higashiyama Landmarks
- Nijo Castle & Horikawa Promenade Course
Kinukake-no-Michi Route: Run Through Three World Heritage Sites
Approx. 2.5 km / about 15 minutes
Gentle uphill
Our first recommendation starts at Omuro Ninna-ji Station on the Randen Line, heading north-northwest from Kyoto Station. The route passes three Buddhist temples that are World Heritage sites—Ninna-ji Temple, Ryōan-ji Temple, and ends near Kinkaku-ji Temple—along the scenic Kinukake-no-Michi road.
From Omuro Ninna-ji Station, enter Kinukake-no-Michi and follow the road. After a large S-curve heading northeast, you’ll see the entrance to Ryōan-ji Temple on your left. Soon, Ritsumeikan University appears on the right and the Kyoto Prefectural Insho Domoto Museum of Fine Arts on the left—signaling that Kinkaku-ji Temple is close.
The route is simple, but a gentle uphill continues throughout, so a relaxed pace is recommended. Sidewalks are narrow, and during peak tourist seasons there may be more people walking or waiting for buses, but please run with care and avoid getting off the sidewalks.
The name of the road Kinukake-no-Michi (literally, the “cloth shrouded” road) comes from Mt. Kinugasa, a modest 201-meter hill located roughly between Ryōan-ji Temple and the Domoto Museum—see if you can spot it.
(Route summary)
Omuro Ninna-ji Station → Ninna-ji Temple→ Ryōan-ji Temple→ Kyoto Prefectural Insho-Domoto Museum → Kinkaku-ji Temple
Approx. 2.5 km (about 15 minutes at 6 min/km)
Kyoto Station Route: From Modern Architecture to Some of Japan’s Largest Temples
Subtle bends in Karasuma Street
Approx. 2.7 km / about 17 minutes
This course begins at Kyoto Station, the city’s main gateway. From the station building, run past two of the largest Buddhist temples—Higashi Hongan-ji Temple and Nishi Hongan-ji Temple—then loop back to Kyoto Station.
Although the area around Kyoto Station is filled with office buildings and large commercial facilities, you’ll soon encounter the impressive Goeido Gate of Higashi Hongan-ji Temple. The forecourt has been redeveloped into a spacious plaza with wider sidewalks and clean public restrooms. Continue west along Shinhanaya-cho Street to Horikawa Street, where Nishi Hongan-ji Temple—another World Heritage site—comes into view.
One point of interest on this route is the set of “bending streets.” While Kyoto’s roads are generally straight, both Karasuma Street near Higashi Hongan-ji Temple and Horikawa Street near Nishi Hongan-ji Temple curve slightly eastward. This dates back to Meiji-period (1868-1912) road widening projects, when streets were rerouted to avoid temple precincts for tram lines. The shift is subtle on maps but noticeable on site.
(Route summary)
Kyoto Station → Higashi Hongan-ji Temple→ Nishi Hongan-ji Temple→ Kyoto Station
Approx. 2.7 km (about 17 minutes at 6 min/km)
★ Public bathhouses nearby
Kitayama & Nakaragi-no-Michi Route: From Shrine Neighborhood to the Kamo River
The tranquil Myojin-gawa stream running through the historic shrine district
Approx. 4.5 km / about 27 minutes
Escape the city bustle in the Kitayama area. Start from Kitayama Station (Exit 1), about 15 minutes by subway from Kyoto Station. The route passes the traditional neighborhood near Kamigamo-jinja Shrine where the Shinto shrine priests have lived, follows the Kamo River, and finishes at Kitaōji Station.
The first half winds through quiet residential streets, so watch for cars on narrower roads. After passing Ota Shrine, famous for its irises, the road opens up and reveals the atmospheric shrine-priest neighborhood (Shake-machi) of Kamigamo-jinja Shrine’s clergy.
The Shake-machi area preserves the old landscape well, including the carefully maintained riverside scenery of Myojin-gawa with small bridges, gates, and benches make this an ideal rest spot. Continue past Kamigamo-jinja Shrine and run south along the Kamo River, then onto Nakaragi-no-Michi, known for its weeping cherry trees.
Note that the adjacent Kyoto Botanical Gardens, which recently marked its 100th anniversary, is part of the Kyoto Marathon course but is not open for regular jogging.
(Route summary)
Kitayama Station → Kamigamo-jinja Shrine District → Kamigamo-jinja Shrine → Kamo River → Kitaoji Station
Approx. 4.5 km (about 27 minutes at 6 min/km)
The Philosopher’s Path Route: A Tour of Higashiyama Landmarks
Philosopher’s Path has a wide variety of flowers and trees that make it beautiful year-round
Approx. 5.8 km / about 35 minutes
Gentle uphill
This route links some of eastern Kyoto’s most famous sites, including Nanzen-ji Temple, Eikan-dō Temple, and the Philosopher’s Path.
Start at Exit 1 of Higashiyama Station, in the direction of 2 o’clock from Kyoto Station. Then, head east along the Lake Biwa Canal from Jingū-michi, and run toward Nanzen-ji Temple and Eikan-do Temple. The route slopes gently upward near Nanzen-ji Temple, then flattens out along the Philosopher’s Path. Continue west on Imadegawa Street and finish at Demachiyanagi Station. Mt. Daimonji, where bonfires in the shape of 大 (dai) are lit during a summer ritual to send off ancestral spirits (Gozan Okuribi), is visible on clear days.
Named after philosopher Nishida Kitaro (1870-1945), who often walked here in contemplation, the path is lined with a variety flowers and wildlife. Some riverside paths reuse stones from old streetcar tracks, but pedestrian traffic can be heavy—use side roads where possible.
Some cherry trees here were donated by painter Hashimoto Kansetsu and are known as Kansetsu-zakura. Spring is beautiful but crowded; early mornings are best for running.
(Route summary)
Higashiyama Station → Nanzen-ji Temple→ Philosopher’s Path → Hyakumanben → Demachiyanagi Station
Approx. 5.8 km (about 35 minutes at 6 min/km)
★ Public bathhouses nearby
Nijo Castle & Horikawa Promenade Course
Car-free riverside running
Approx. 5.9 km / about 35 minutes
The final course circles the Nijo Castle, where the Tokugawa shogunate ended, marking the end of the Edo period (1603-1867). Start at Exit 1 of Nijojo-mae Station, the station is in the direction of 11 o’clock from Kyoto Station.
Begin with a roughly 2 km loop around the castle’s outer moat—wide sidewalks and no traffic lights make this a favorite among local runners. Be careful with foot traffic around the Higashi-Otemon Gate where visitors enter the castle. The open path is defined by the striking contrast of brilliant white walls, orderly stone ramparts, and evergreen pines. If time and energy allow, running multiple laps is also an option.
After warming up, descend from Horikawa Street to the Horikawa Promenade, a restored canal originally built during the Heian period (794-1185). Once vital for timber transport and Yuzen dyeing, the waterway was revived in 2009, creating today’s pleasant running path.
Highlights include seven bridges along the route, some designated cultural properties, and Ichijo Modoribashi, a bridge famed in folklore as a bridge to the other world and for a tale of a demoness.
(Route summary)
Nijojo-mae Station → Nijo Castle → Horikawa Promenade → Nijojo-mae Station
Approx. 5.9 km (about 35 minutes at 6 min/km)
★ Public bathhouses nearby
This concludes our five running routes.
Kyoto has a history of hosting track and field events and is seeing more runners on its streets in the recent years. It is known as the birthplace of Japan’s first ekiden (relay long-distance race). Furthermore, since 2012, the Kyoto Marathon has been held every February, drawing around 16,000 runners each year.
Running allows you to cover more ground in less time, making it easy to combine with sightseeing. Why not discover a new side of Kyoto—one you might miss on a typical sightseeing itinerary?
Safety Notes
- Watch carefully for vehicles and pedestrians to avoid accidents.
- Please be considerate so everyone can share the sidewalks and paths comfortably.
Kyoto Marathon (Runner Registration: July–September)
Runner registration opens every July. Volunteers are also welcome, with recruitment typically held from September to October.
February 15, 2026 (Sun)
8:55 Wheelchair race start
9:00 Marathon & Pair Ekiden start
15:00 Finish
Reference Pages for Running in Kyoto
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