Excursions around Tokyo 遠足

Kamakura, Hakone , Nikko and Mount Fuji are popular destinations, with good reason, with Tokyoites and tourists alike, but the Tokyo area is also home to lesser-known places, and perfect for a breath of fresh air and a peaceful retreat.

The mountain on the border of the city: Mount Takao

The metropolitan area of Tokyo is so large that it even includes mountains. 1 hour from Shinjuku , in the city of Hachioji, is Mount Takao , ideal for a short hike in nature . You can climb it from its base or choose to take the cable car up to mid-mountain if you are less athletic. From its 599 m summit, Mount Fuji can be admired on sunny days.

To get there: Take the Keio line from Shinjuku (departures every 20 min, 50 min journey for 390 yen) to Takaosanguchi station. If you have the JR Pass , you can also take the Chuo Line to Takao Station.

The "little Edo": Kawagoe

The suburban town of Kawagoe has been nicknamed "Little Edo" (Edo being the old name of Tokyo) for the presence of ancient merchant houses dating back to the 19th century. The Ichiban-gai street, the Kita-in temple and its stone statues or the Toki no Kane Tower (bell of time) will immerse you in the atmosphere of the Edo era. Learn more about Kawagoe .

Home of Rinzai Buddhism: Kita-Kamakura

Kita-Kamakura is just as charming and steeped in history as Kamakura, but with an even more peaceful atmosphere and an accentuated sense of remoteness from the city. In front of Kita-Kamakura station, you can see Engaku-ji temple, the largest Zen temple in Kamakura, Further down the road you will find Kencho-ji temple, the oldest Zen temple in Japan. Do not miss the Museum of Ancient Pottery in its old wooden building. And finally, passing in front of the Jochi-ji temple, a small hiking trail brings you back to the Kamakura side.

To get there: take the JR Yokosuka line from Tokyo and Shinagawa , or the Shonan Shinjuku line, from Ikebukuro , Shinjuku and Shibuya .

For outdoor activities: Tanzawa

The landform of Tanzawa in eastern Kanagawa Prefecture offers outdoor sports enthusiasts something to be satisfied with. In addition to its unforgettable landscapes to enjoy during the short hikes to the peaks of Tonodake and Sannoto, it is possible to go camping or to spend the night in mountain huts . It is the latter option that should be chosen if you wish to climb Mount Tanzawa itself, culminating at some 1,567 m above sea level. After the effort, relax in the warm waters of Tsurumaki Onsen near the station of the same name, before heading back to Tokyo.

To get there: take the Odakyu line to Shibusawa then bus n ° 2 to Okura.

The birthplace of Mingei craftsmanship: Mashiko

A little further away, but lovers of traditional craftsmanship can not miss it: the town of Mashiko . In the southeastern part of Tochigi Prefecture, the city is known as one of the most important pottery centers in Japan. At the beginning of the 20th century, the potter Shoji Hamada, founder with Yanagi Soetsu of the Mingei movement for the revival of Japanese folk arts, installed his kiln there, thus contributing to the fame of Mashiko. The Togei Messe Mashiko and the Mashiko Sankokan Museum ("Mashiko Reference Museum") offer very informative exhibits, and the town of Mashiko itself is home to 300 ovens , some of which, like the Tsukamoto or the Mashiko sales center. yaki Kyohan, demonstrate the manufacturing process.

To get there: Take the Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station (45 min, 4,930 yen) to Utsunomiya, then the Toya bus to Mashiko. Taking the JR Tohoku Line will cost only 1,940 yen but will take twice the time.

For more excursions around the capital, order "Tokyo, the Ideal Guide" now .