Running In Japan

Lake Suwa is a spectacular body of water located in the heart of the Nagano prefecture, an area known as the "Japanese Alps", and site of the 1998 winter Olympics.

For runners who dream of a flat, fast, long run, you will not find a better course that the running path around Lake Suwa. At nearly 16 kilometers, or 10 miles, this course is the very definition of flat. In addition, for much of the course track material is used in place of traditional paving, making the run easy on the joints as well.

At key entrances, the path splits, with a section marked for "runners only" and another section set aside for bicyclists. And I loved the signs that translate your running distance into number of onigiri race balls consumed!

My run around Lake Suwa was particularly memorable. I started running in near darkness, and enjoyed hearing the local chimes ring hourly. By the time I was halfway around the Lake, the sun was rising over the mountain tops, gently illuminating this welcoming town.

As I finished more runners and morning walkers were enjoying Lake Suwa. My post-race treat was a soak at the onsen ryokan we were visiting. The north end of Lake Suwa has many onsen ryokans, hotels and traditional guest houses featuring the hot spring water baths.

MUSIC: My music selection for Lake Suwa is the tuneful instrumental “KAPPA” by Keiko Matsui (松居慶子). The prolific Matsui has composed volumes of music, filling more than 20 albums, but “KAPPA” remains one of my favorites. “KAPPA” is a legendary Japanese water elf, similar in qualities to mythical Scottish or Scandinavian water creatures.

I thought “KAPPA” was a good match for Lake Suwa, a beautiful lake fed by the streams and run-off from the "Japanese Alps".