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When the going gets<br />
hot, the smart folk of<br />
Tokyo head out of town<br />
to nearby getaways that<br />
embrace all kinds of<br />
culture — from beaches<br />
and food to history,<br />
music and the arts<br />
Words ManaMi Okazaki<br />
If the summer heat of Tokyo<br />
gets too much to bear, relief<br />
is close at hand. A plethora of<br />
mountains and beaches just<br />
beyond the outskirts of the capital<br />
offer an easy escape into Japan’s<br />
natural oases.<br />
Hiking Heaven<br />
Mt Takao, west of Tokyo, is an<br />
easy 45-minute train ride from<br />
Shinjuku station, and great for the<br />
whole family. Here, there are eight<br />
scenic hiking trails that take about<br />
an hour and a half, or take the<br />
cable car if you prefer a bird’s-eye<br />
view. Popular with day-trippers<br />
from Tokyo is the opulent Yakuoin<br />
Buddhist temple, which was<br />
originally built in 744. It’s nestled<br />
in the woodland of Mt Takao and<br />
is believed to house tengu, a goblin<br />
deity that brings good fortune<br />
— accordingly, the complex is<br />
adorned with tengu statues<br />
and paintings.<br />
The area is famous for its<br />
density of trees and wildflowers<br />
hot spot //<br />
— in fact, Mt Takao was awarded<br />
three stars when the Michelin<br />
Green Guide was first published<br />
in 2009. Unlike the planted forests<br />
that surround most of Tokyo,<br />
its natural woodland is home to<br />
numerous 100-year-old cedars,<br />
and this biodiversity is more than<br />
evident when taking one of the<br />
hikes. Moreover, sitting on the<br />
border of Japan’s subtropical and<br />
temperate forest regions, there<br />
are trees of both types in the<br />
Takao woodlands.<br />
Walking through the trails,<br />
there’s ample opportunity to<br />
see the local residents, such as<br />
raccoons, squirrels, kingfishers<br />
and owls. The monkey park next<br />
Take the cable car if you prefer a bird’s-eye view<br />
FROM LEFT: Fuji<br />
Rock Festival;<br />
view of Shonan;<br />
Fuji Rock Festival<br />
funky fans; Mt<br />
Takao trail<br />
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