Advice Appreciated- Tokyo Hiking & Onsens

[Mischa Maxwell]

During my time in Tokyo, I would love to do some hiking- maybe between 1-3 hours worth. Can anyone advise me of some good hiking spots not too far from Tokyo?

Also, is there a really great onsen in/close to Tokyo that is better than all others?

 

[veryniceguy]

Hakone is not that far from Tokyo.... back and forth day trip is possible....

 

[DJV]

Hakone is not that far from Tokyo.... back and forth day trip is possible....

Up north Aomori is great ! It's not that far by Shinkansen. (3 1/2 hours)

 

[scorpioni6ths]

Hiking: Takao area to the far West of Tokyo. Easy access from Shinjuku via Chou Rapid Service.

http://www.takaotozan.co.jp/takaotozan_eng1/course/index.htm

Several routes from easy to a 13km jaunt from Takao to Jimba (which has a phalus looking horse monument erected at the summit). And there is a super sento near the station (w/ free bright orange colored shuttle service). There is also good hiking to be done in Tanzawa. Mt Ooyama comes to mind (since I've visited it multiple times).

http://www.odakyu.jp/english/destination/tanzawa_oyama/

Onsens: Hakone. Or the one in Odaiba

http://www.ooedoonsen.jp/en/top/

 

[roots reggae]

During my time in Tokyo, I would love to do some hiking- maybe between 1-3 hours worth. Can anyone advise me of some good hiking spots not too far from Tokyo?

Also, is there a really great onsen in/close to Tokyo that is better than all others?

Hi Mischa,

There's a couple threads that may interest you:
http://www.tokyoadultguide.com/threads/day-and-overnight-trips-near-kanto.10739/

I really recommend:
The Nokogiriyama Buddha: Chiba Prefecture

As for Onsens:
http://www.tokyoadultguide.com/threads/onsen-adventures.10692/

One of my favorites-been three times:

Takaragawa Onsen

Did a quick Google search for more hiking around Tokyo:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2427.html

https://tokyocheapo.com/lifestyle/terrific-tokyo-hikes/

http://ridgelineimages.com/hiking/best-day-hikes-around-tokyo/

http://www.timeout.com/tokyo/sport-and-fitness/best-day-and-weekend-hikes-tokyo

Enjoy!

 

[nedar]

I second @scorpioni6ths on the hiking, but with 1-3 hour limitation Mt Takao would fit better and the view from the top is great. Mt Ooyama has some pretty nice trails but the higher elevation makes the weather more fickle. Last time I went, I was hiking in fog.

 

[Jason Maximum]

Some of the best, most beautiful, and culture-laced hiking to be had is in Kamakura, just about an hour south of Shinagawa. There are temples and sights and stuff, but the backtrails between the big temples is some of the most gorgeous hiking through some of the most ancient forests of Japan.

 

[Soapysoap66]

Some of the best, most beautiful, and culture-laced hiking to be had is in Kamakura, just about an hour south of Shinagawa. There are temples and sights and stuff, but the backtrails between the big temples is some of the most gorgeous hiking through some of the most ancient forests of Japan.

Thanks for the tip, I might do this during my next trip, looks cool.

 

[DocMcStuffins]

Kamakura is great. For a weekend trip with easy hiking, try kiso valley.

 

[roots reggae]

Some of the best, most beautiful, and culture-laced hiking to be had is in Kamakura, just about an hour south of Shinagawa. There are temples and sights and stuff, but the backtrails between the big temples is some of the most gorgeous hiking through some of the most ancient forests of Japan.

Kamakura is, indeed, a great place to hike. The cartilage in my knees is gone, so no more hiking for me. I do, however, ride my Trek Domane 5.9 road bike past Kamakura on my way to Enoshima on a regular basis. It's a 30 K round trip ride for me from my house in Hayama and usually takes about 75 minutes.

Back to the Kamakura hiking courses. Here's a couple good links with maps and directions from the train stations:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3113.html

http://en.japantravel.com/kanagawa/kamakura-s-tenen-hiking-trail/560

https://yamaonna.wordpress.com/2009/10/28/kamakura-daibutsu/

 

[Babaram]

There is a Facebook Group that combines hiking with onsen.

 

[Babaram]

If you promise to be a bad girl. then we can put you into our private onsen near Hakone, but there won't be much time left for hiking.

 

[RobRod]

Good info here... i'm looking to do some light hiking when i go Japan soon. Any suggested hiking trips for Osaka / Kyoto areas?

 

[roots reggae]

From today's The Japan News

Want to know more about seasonal must-see sights on Mt. Takao in Hachioji, Tokyo? Check out the “Takaosan Toku Toku Book,” a small booklet being distributed by Keio Corp. at Takaosanguchi Station on the Keio Line since April.

The compact 26-page full-color guidebook measures just 16.5 centimeters long and 11 centimeters wide, making it easy to carry. It features monthly information on events and seasonal plants with pictures. There are also tips for enjoying Mt. Takao, called Takaosan in Japanese, through flower viewing, hiking and taking in nighttime views.

Coupons at the back of the guidebook entitle bearers to discounts and other benefits at 29 shops, including eateries and souvenir shops. If you collect more than four stamps, whose designs change every month, at the cable car’s Takaosan Station, you can participate in a draw for various prizes, including five pairs of free tickets for the Beer Mount beer garden on Mt. Takao.

For more information, call the company’s customer support center at (042) 357-6161.

http://www.the-japan-news.com/news/article/0002885678

 

[Soapysoap66]

Do people still go to onsen in the summer? I would imagine it not being as refreshing during the sweltering heat.

 

[roots reggae]

We go mostly during cool weather, but there are exceptions. In the mountains, it's cooler in the evenings.
One summer we went to the onsen in August in Izu-Oshima. I soaked after a long all-day bicycle ride. So nice!

 

[Serenity Now]

Some of the best, most beautiful, and culture-laced hiking to be had is in Kamakura, just about an hour south of Shinagawa. There are temples and sights and stuff, but the backtrails between the big temples is some of the most gorgeous hiking through some of the most ancient forests of Japan.

Thanks to this and the links from roots reggae I enjoyed some great Golden Week trail walking at Kamakura and western Tokyo near Mitake-san. The Ten-En trail is well worth doing, not tough at all and enjoyable temples and sightseeing at both ends.

 

[roots reggae]

Thanks to this and the links from roots reggae I enjoyed some great Golden Week trail walking at Kamakura and western Tokyo near Mitake-san. The Ten-En trail is well worth doing, not tough at all and enjoyable temples and sightseeing at both ends.

I'm jealous! My doctor just called me yesterday and set up a date for knee replacements in June. I'm a little scared of the operations, but hope I can hit the trails again afterwards.

There are local trails in the mountains around Zushi/Hayama near my house that I once roamed almost every week. I'd be grateful to be able to do so again.

I am fortunate to live in Miura Peninsula-clsoe to the city and close to Nature.

 

[vondoom]

the best hikes i had was when i was still living in kansai... you can literally just take a train to somewhere outside any city (or even walk, from kyoto for example) and hike all day long...
for tokyo i would say nokogiriyama is quite fine... another nice trip is taking the kururi line and either just ride it,or get of the train,wherever you want to...

 

[TheHunter]

Do people still go to onsen in the summer? I would imagine it not being as refreshing during the sweltering heat.

Onsen is good anytime of the year.

 

[Kulas]

This is a good thread. Thansk fot sharing. I will try this once im in Japan next week.

 

[johnsmith56]

Thanks - this is very helpful

Hi Mischa,

There's a couple threads that may interest you:
http://www.tokyoadultguide.com/threads/day-and-overnight-trips-near-kanto.10739/

I really recommend:
The Nokogiriyama Buddha: Chiba Prefecture

As for Onsens:
http://www.tokyoadultguide.com/threads/onsen-adventures.10692/

One of my favorites-been three times:

Takaragawa Onsen

Did a quick Google search for more hiking around Tokyo:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2427.html

https://tokyocheapo.com/lifestyle/terrific-tokyo-hikes/

http://ridgelineimages.com/hiking/best-day-hikes-around-tokyo/

http://www.timeout.com/tokyo/sport-and-fitness/best-day-and-weekend-hikes-tokyo

Enjoy!

 

[grimjim]

Jinba 陣馬山 which is behind Takao 高尾 offers better hiking and some nice Onsens. Better food on top as well.

青梅 Ome has some hiking and has very nice river. Good soba and sake factory.

 

[Mischa Maxwell]

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions, you are an awesome bunch!

I will now be spending an additional week in Japan, and am thinking that Mt Takao and Hakone are definite possibilities. I must update my advertisement to include Hakone!

 

[Babaram]

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions, you are an awesome bunch!

I will now be spending an additional week in Japan, and am thinking that Mt Takao and Hakone are definite possibilities. I must update my advertisement to include Hakone!

Hakone tour, beginning and ending in Romance car, conveniently from Shinjuku eki. The perfect package for the connoisseur