Running Clubs for Foreigners in Tokyo 2025

Do you want to start your running journey in Japan? If you’re in Tokyo, you can join running clubs that welcome runners of all levels. These clubs also double as social groups, so if you are a new expat in Japan, they are a great place to meet new people and build connections.

If you’re interested in knowing more about running clubs in Japan, then you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll guide you through a list of running clubs, specifically in Tokyo, where you can stay active and meet new people.

Midnight Runners

This running club is a global running community with chapters in Tokyo, as well as sister clubs across Europe, North and South America and other cities in Asia. 

Midnight Runners is a volunteer-based community, meaning the leaders, referred to as “Captains,” do not charge any fees to members. As a global community, their goal is to bridge the gap between enjoying your workout and hanging out with your friends.

080 Tokyo

Founded in 2017, this running club invites people from all backgrounds to come together and run through the streets of Tokyo. Their core value is encapsulated in Mission Zero, which represents their commitment to fostering a dynamic and socially conscious community through the shared experience of running.

Sogo Run Club

Sogo Run Club is one of the many communities under Sogo Fitness. Its vision is to empower people to live healthier and happier lives through movement and connection.

The club is co-managed by community organizers from Lululemon’s Harajuku showroom and the Sogo Fitness team. Aside from running, members also take part in partner stretching, relay games and group HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) workouts.

Namban Rengo

As written on their website, Namban Rengo is “an informal organization of mostly serious runners.” This is because almost all of their members join to train for races, including Japanese ekiden and relay races. However, this is not a requirement and everyone is still invited to be part of the community.

This running club holds weekly interval training sessions on Wednesday nights. The workouts usually total around 6,000 meters, and a 5,000-meter time trial is held on the last Wednesday of each month.

Now that you have all the information, are you ready to hit the streets of Tokyo? If yes, go ahead and sign up!

The best remittance app for expats in Japan

Whether you’re taking a break from running or hanging out with new friends, you can easily send money abroad with Smiles Mobile Remittance, Japan’s leading money transfer service. With just your smartphone, your loved ones back home can receive the money quickly and conveniently.

You can deposit and send money with Smiles through over 77,000 ATMs across Japan. Plus, you can top up your Smiles account using the QR code deposit feature at any Seven Bank ATM, a feature available only with the Smiles Mobile Remittance app.