Sometimes, riding the JR Yamanote Line feels like a challenge fit for an athlete. Crucial for many a city journey, this rail route transports millions of people each day, connecting them to the major transport hubs of Shinjuku, Shibuya and Ikebukuro — the three busiest train stations in the world.
Battling commuters for a seat on the Yamanote is one thing, but a more enjoyable challenge is walking the entire length of the 34.5 kilometer-long line, past all 30 of its stops.
That’s the idea behind the Tokyo Yamathon, which began in 2010. The annual event challenges groups of individuals to walk or jog the Yamanote in an effort to raise money for charity — an endeavor that typically takes around 12 hours to complete (in contrast, it only takes an hour or so to ride the entirety of the loop by rail).