50km walk! Yamanote Eki Stamps, Tokyo (Virtual Tour) (AJ Walks)

Inspired by the Abroad In Japan video where Chris stopped at every station around the Yamanote circle line ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HvZJndiBlQ ), and his mention of the Yamathon ( https://www.tokyo-yamathon.com/ ) where teams visit all 30 stations within 12 hours (so called as the distance of the line is approximately 42km). My original intent was simply to visit each station, collect the stamps, and maybe walk between a few of the closer stops. But emboldened by my success cycling the Shimanami Kaido ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1eMRPIuFpI ) I made the brazen decision to attempt walking the entire distance. Further, in fact, as I was distracted by the Ueno Botanical Gardens, got slightly lost around the northern corner, and diverted through the Meiji Jingu shrine (via the much quieter Western entrance, highly recommended). Also some of the stamps were hard to find in the larger stations, especially around construction works.

Technically I failed to perform under the 12 hour limit of the Yamathon rules, but I did stop for a ‘simple meal’ dinner at the Lost bar which took some time (unfortunately, no Chris in sight). My footwear of choice was also my habitual composite toe black leather work boots, so perhaps not quite the most optimal choice for long distance walking?

Originally I had intended to record a short video at each stop around the circle, but I quite simply forgot as I just lost myself in the ambience of the bustling city, even not taking nearly as many photos as is typical, instead making efforts to soak up my surroundings. Also my phone was pretty much out of battery by the end, having gone through both powerbanks while navigating! Should I feel so inclined to do it again, I would go the other direction to see the southern loop suburbs during the day.

I would highly recommend doing a similar sort of experience, but taking a more segmented approach – I should have split across my final 3 days, but the weather forecast for the next day was not so promising.

Recorded: 04 October 2024
Camera: Samsung S22, Nikon D7100 (Tamron 16-300)
GPS Plotting: https://gpx.studio/
Tour Editing: Google Earth Pro
Editing: ShotCut / ffmpeg
Support me through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=15918857
#traveljapan #yamanoteline #walkingtour

00:00 Marunouchi Square
00:40 Intro to Camera
00:54 Tokyo Station (08.32)
01:18 Tokiwa Bridge Park
01:32 Kanda (09.04)
02:02 Akihabara (09.20)
02:34 Okachimachi (09.35)
02:54 Ueno (10.02)
03:51 Uguisudani (10.33)
04:31 Nippori (10.55)
04:41 Nishi-Nippori (11.06)
05:18 Tabata (11.21)
05:58 Komagome (11.46)
06:20 Sugamo (12.16)
06:48 Otsuka (12.31)
07:31 Ikebukuro (13.21)
07:54 Mejiro (13.36)
08:28 Takadanobaba (13.56)
09:06 Shin-Okubo (14.21)
09:23 Kabukicho Streets
09:54 Shinjuku (14.59)
10:43 Yoyogi (15.17)
10:56 Meiji Jingu
12:09 Harajuku (16.03)
12:58 Shibuya (17.49)
13:25 Ebisu (18.13)
13:44 Meguro (18.33)
13:56 Gotanda (18.50)
14:26 Osaki (19.09)
15:00 Shinagawa (19.37)
15:13 Takanawa Gateway (19.53)
15:33 Tokyo Tower view
15:47 Tamachi (20.15)
16:25 Hamamatsucho (20.42)
16:42 Shimbashi (21.07)
16:55 Yurakucho (21.25)
17:10 Finish Line (21.37)
17:17 Thank you for watching!