{"id":593,"date":"2024-04-07T11:40:32","date_gmt":"2024-04-07T03:40:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php\/2025\/03\/07\/tokyos-natural-escapes\/"},"modified":"2025-11-23T09:56:05","modified_gmt":"2025-11-23T01:56:05","slug":"tokyos-natural-escapes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/?p=593","title":{"rendered":"Tokyo\u2019s natural escapes"},"content":{"rendered":"
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When you think of Tokyo, the first images that pop into your mind are likely busy crossings and flashing neon lights. But venture out of the city limits and you\u2019ll discover Tokyo Prefecture is as multi-faceted as the entire country.<\/p>\n

With forested national parks, inviting rivers, sandy beaches and epic volcanoes that are nothing short of awe-inspiring, a trip here is a breathtaking journey into the natural side of Tokyo \u2013 a side most visitors don\u2019t even know exists.<\/p>\n

Here we\u2019ll introduce you to several natural destinations within 2-3 hours of central Tokyo that will have you redefining your entire notion of the country\u2019s capital.<\/p>\n

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The forest of Hinohara Village \u00a9 Courtesy of Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tama Region \u2013 Okutama and Hinohara<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Head west of metropolitan Tokyo and when train-goers start to rise from their seats and let out an audible reaction, you\u2019ll know you\u2019ve reached the Okutama region of Chichibu Tama-Kai National Park. Here the dramatic mountain scenery has to be seen to be believed.<\/p>\n

Okutama is just two hours from downtown Shinjuku, but a world apart. Whether you\u2019ve come to forest bathe, soak in hot springs or take a dip in the winding Tama River, you\u2019ll be immersed in the area\u2019s rejuvenating qualities that seem to almost visibly linger in the air. Lush forests make it ideal for hiking, with various trails that can be accessed right from the area\u2019s train stations.<\/p>\n

The 929-meter Mt. Mitake is a popular day trip with something new to offer in every season. The fastest way to reach the top is a 10-minute bus from Mitake Station to the Mitake Tozan Railway, which will carry you to the upper reaches of the mountain in six minutes. From there, it is a 20-30 minute walk along the ancient cedar-lined pilgrimage route to Musashi-Mitake Shrine on the summit, a center of mountain worship for around 2,000 years.<\/p>\n

In the surrounding village there are more than a dozen lodges \u2013 called shukub\u014d \u2013 managed by Shinto priest families that have been caring for the shrine for centuries. If you\u2019re looking for a unique overnight experience you can even book a night at a shukub\u014d, which includes local meals of mountain vegetables and fish.<\/p>\n

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The Rock Garden route is a popular trail from the Musashi-Mitake Shrine \u00a9 Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From the shrine there are many options for further exploration. One of the most popular is the Rock Garden route, a leisurely 2-hour loop with moss-covered stones and sacred falls, which the priests use for takigy\u014d, a type of ascetic meditation performed while standing under a waterfall. If you want to trek further, consider a more challenging hike to the summit of adjoining Mt. Odake.<\/p>\n

A shorter, spiritual ode to Mt. Odake can be taken off the mountain and deep within the forest of Hinohara Village. Just a 40-minute walk from Kanotoiwa-Iriguchi bus stop is a gorge with rising towers of chert formed from fossilized plankton dating back some 250 million years. Known as Kanoto Rock, this mystical place is reminiscent of a door, and is said to be the entrance to the sacred realm of Mt Odake above. In fact, there are many symbolic references to the otherworldly experience of a trip to outer Tokyo.<\/p>\n

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At the base of Mt Odake, a sanctified shimenawa Shinto rope adorning the entrance of the Otake Limestone Caves lets you know you are stepping into another world. This natural wonder offers a spelunking adventure in caverns stretching around 300 meters in length, right under the mountain. Further into Okutama, the Nippara Limestone Caves impress with illuminated stalagmites and stalactites, and comfortably cool 11-degree-Celsius temperatures all year round.<\/p>\n

After exploring the area by foot, nothing beats unwinding by the Tama River. Camping, fishing and barbecuing are all popular riverside activities, while those seeking a faster pace can channel their inner adrenaline junkie on a rafting or canyoning tour.<\/p>\n

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Habushiura Beach in Niijima \u00a9 Courtesy of Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Niijima, Izu Islands<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Niijima is a surfing paradise that is part of Tokyo\u2019s Izu Island chain. Just about 2.5 hours from the mainland\u2019s Takeshiba Pier by high-speed jet ferry or a 35-minute flight from Ch\u014dfu Airport, your preconceptions of the country\u2019s capital will once again be thrown for a loop.<\/p>\n

As soon as you set foot on the islands, you\u2019ll start to feel a sense of calm, as your body adjusts to the beat of the waves. At around 24 square kilometers, or 9.2 square miles, it\u2019s small enough that many visitors opt to do some of their sightseeing by bicycle.<\/p>\n

Just 10 minutes\u2019 walk from Niijima Port, you\u2019ll reach what appears to be ancient Greek ruins perched atop a rocky outcrop facing out to sea. Climb the stairs to the top and you\u2019ll find a mixed-gender, swimsuit-only onsen. The Yunohama Outdoor Hot Springs are free and open 24 hours a day, making them the perfect spot for taking in the island\u2019s spectacular sunsets and stargazing after dark.<\/p>\n

This unique onsen is not the only on the island. Less than 20 minutes by foot inland and you\u2019ll reach Niijima Shinsui K\u014den (Niijima Water Park) with unique stone structures and water features. All the stonework is made of the island\u2019s k\u014dgaseki, a rare kind of volcanic rhyolite that can only be found here and on Italy\u2019s Lipari Island.<\/p>\n

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Ishiyama Observatory is the perfect place to look out upon Shikinejima and K\u014dzushima \u00a9 Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dotted around the island, you\u2019ll find huge moyai statues carved of the stone. The term means to \u201ccome together\u201d in the local Niijima dialect and is a pun on the similar-looking moai statues of Easter Island. Head to Ishiyama Observatory, on an elevated quarry site, to view one of the landmark moyai as you overlook Shikinejima and K\u014dzushima, while the Fujimi Pass Observation Deck has beautiful night views.<\/p>\n

Not-to-be-missed is the Habushiura Coast, in the eastern part of Niijima, where you\u2019ll instantly notice the soft pastel hue of the water, called \u201cmilky blue,\u201d that provides an incredible contrast to the 6.5km white sand beach. The conditions here are internationally renowned, attracting both pro and amateur surfers who come for leisure as well as for competition.<\/p>\n

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Head to the southern end of the beach and you\u2019ll find Shiromama Cliffs, a 7km stretch of exposed volcanic strata ranging from 30 meters in height to a breathtaking 250 meters. Due to the risk of rockfall, this magnificent site should be safely viewed from a distance. It\u2019s in this area where you\u2019ll find the point known as \u201cSecret\u201d which, is a coveted surfing break known to local wave-riders, with a one-of-a-kind view.<\/p>\n

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Gaze down at the inviting waters of Kozushima from the wooden walkways of the Akasaki Promenade \u00a9 Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kozushima, Izu Islands<\/strong><\/h2>\n

What Niijima is to surfers, nearby Kozushima is to scuba divers. Located just under one hour further away by high-speed jet ferry, continuing your island-hopping adventure is easy.<\/p>\n

Kozushima is the perfect destination for relaxed water play, where splashing around in the sea, dropping a fishing line and even venturing into the underwater world of rock reefs and diving is all part of an afternoon\u2019s frolicking.<\/p>\n

One of the island\u2019s most popular destinations is the Akasaki Promenade, a network of wooden walkways stretching a total distance of 500 meters around a calm and pristine cove on the island\u2019s northwest. Here you can gaze down at the inviting waters and when they beckon, either dive or jump right in from the designated platforms. It\u2019s an ideal spot for a casual snorkel with high visibility, coral reefs and an array of colorful, flitting fish.<\/p>\n

With four glorious swimming beaches, visitors can easily spend their time soaking in the distinctive features of each one, namely the 1-kilometer stretch of white sand of the main beach of Maehama, the beautiful arc-shaped Sawajiri Bay, the rocky shores of Nagahama Beach, and the scenic Tako Bay at the foothills of Mt Tenjo.<\/p>\n

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572-meter Mt. Tenjo affords incredible views of the entire island \u00a9 Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For hiking enthusiasts, the striking 572-meter Mt. Tenjo affords incredible views of the entire island and even Mt Fuji, some 130km away, on a clear day. Shrouded in folklore, legend has it that long ago the gods convened at the top of Mt. Tenjo to decide how water, the source of life, was to be divided amongst the Izu Islands. Exploring the volcano\u2019s crater loop trail is a journey through a series of surreal and diverse landscapes, from the moonscapes of Urasabaku and Hairanaigasawa to the mossy, alpine scenery of Fudo-ike and Sendai-ike.<\/p>\n

The ultimate way to end a day on the island is at Kozushima Hotspring Recreation Center with its indoor and outdoor hot springs, jacuzzi, sauna, massage chairs, relaxation lounge and restaurant. Bring your swimsuit for the open-air baths, which includes a 275-square-meter bath set in natural rocks overlooking the Pacific Ocean with an unimpeded view up at the night sky.<\/p>\n

It’s the perfect to sit back, relax and revel in the differences between the two faces of Tokyo, metropolitan city and unparalleled natural resources \u2013 side-by-side but a world apart.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When you think of Tokyo, <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":596,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-593","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tokyo-travel-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/593","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=593"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/593\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1103,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/593\/revisions\/1103"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/596"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=593"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=593"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=593"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}