WB009: Greenway Running

Growing up, I never liked running.

I only started running regularly during Covid because it was a permitted activity. Since then, I have concluded it's a good sport to take up.

Firstly, running (when done in moderation) improves cardiovascular endurance, which is good for your health. After a long run, I feel refreshed and sleep very well.

Secondly, it's a low-barrier-to-entry activity: all you need is motivation, a comfortable pair of shoes and decent weather.

Finally, running in any destination like a big city lets you discover and explore places you would otherwise miss. Through my running, I discovered my district's ryoukudou (Japanese: 緑道), which translates to "greenway" in English.

I would describe a greenway as a walking & cycling path that runs alongside small- and medium-sized streams or rivers.

The greenways in the Setagaya district I live in are widely-used by pedestrians to get from point A to B. They are safe, easy to navigate and well maintained - perfect for a running route.

Greenways in Setagaya

Intrigued about the origins of the greenway, I did some research.

According to Setagaya District, its greenways have been around since 1969. The greenways were created to restore nature, ensure pedestrian safety and be an emergency evacuation route.

Today, the district has as many as 16 greenways covering an area of 15 hectares. I feel this type of planning significantly improves the liveability of the Setagaya District.

Case in point: the map below shows you how the greenway links many public facilities, such as bus stops, bus routes, parks, cultural assets and schools. There are also public toilets along the way.

On a walk the other day, I took photos of the lush, landscaped greenery that line the Karasuyamagawa Greenway (Japanese: 烏山川道) that I frequently run along.

Along this greenway are many species of flora and fauna. This makes for a pleasant walk or run, especially in the evenings.

I have since discovered there is a non-profit organisation called グループ四季 , or "four seasons group". The group tends to a section of the greenway closer to the Meguro River (Japanese: 目黒川). This explains how it is so well maintained.

I also noticed fishes in a little stream along this greenway! I am not sure if they are meant to be there, because the signs say the dumping of fish in the stream is prohibited.

My running route

From my home, I run along the Karasuyamagawa Greenway towards the Meguro River (Japanese: 目黒川).

I've identified landmarks at 1.5km, 2km, 3km and 3.5km from my starting point that serve as checkpoints for me to turn around depending on whether it is a good or bad running day.

One of my favourite sections is along the Meguro River, 1.5km from my starting point. This river is famously lined with cherry blossom trees and a very popular tourist destination during the sakura season.

In the evenings, I look forward to this part of my run as it is peaceful and quiet even though the hustle and bustle of the city is a block or two away.

With summer ending, the weather is getting cooler, making it more conducive to run. It will also be nice to see how the colours of the flora and fauna change in the next few months.

I don't have any specific running distance or time goals.

I just aspire to consistently enjoy running, and make new discoveries along the way.

--Ends