Day Trip Ideas: Outdoor Fun Near Tokyo

Away from the heart of the city, outdoor activities that get you moving and in touch with nature offer the perfect opportunity to refresh your body and mind.
In this issue, we will introduce three outdoor spots in the suburbs of Tokyo that are easily accessible and enjoyable enough for a day trip.We hope you will find them useful in planning your next weekend getaway!

1. Canyons Okutama

Canyons Okutama is an outdoor spot where you can experience thrilling canyoning in the rich nature of the Okutama area, which is easily accessible by train from central Tokyo in about 2 hours.
Canyoning is an adventure activity that takes advantage of the natural terrain, such as sliding down rapids while descending a canyon or jumping into a waterfall basin, and offers a sense of stimulation and exhilaration that cannot be experienced in everyday life.

Canyons Okutama offers courses that can be enjoyed by beginners and experienced skiers alike.Even first-time canyoneers can take on the challenge with ease, as professional guides will provide careful support.All equipment used for canyoning can be rented, so you can participate with nothing.In a particularly popular course, you can experience sliding down beautiful waterfalls and natural water slides, allowing you to fully experience a sense of oneness with nature.

The activity is carried out in a cool mountain stream, so even on hot summer days, you can enjoy the coolness of the river while having fun.The experience of letting the river flow through the lush forests and spectacular views that only Okutama can offer will make you feel as if you have become a part of nature.In November, visitors can enjoy the autumn colors of the leaves.

After the activity, we recommend resting your body in one of the nearby hot springs or enjoying some of Okutama's local delicacies.A day combining the thrill of canyoning with relaxation will provide you with an extraordinary adventure.Canyoning at Canyons Okutama is the perfect outdoor experience to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and feel the power of nature with your whole body.

Okutama Canyons

住所	54-1 Kawai, Okutama-cho, Nishitama-gun, Tokyo
電話番号	0278-72-2811
営業時間	8:00-17:00
定休日	No holidays during the period
公式サイト	https://canyons.jp/areas/okutama/okutama-canyoning/

2. paddling archivelago

Paddling Archipelago is a popular outdoor spot for sea kayaking experiences that allow visitors to enjoy the beautiful sea and nature of the Boso Peninsula, located in southern Chiba Prefecture.Sea kayaking, which allows you to seamlessly travel between the boundaries of sea and land, provides a special experience that allows you to leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind and relax and enjoy nature on the calm waters of the sea.Paddling Archipelago offers a number of tours that are especially safe and enjoyable for beginners, allowing them to experience the charm of sea kayaking with ease.

The coastline of the Boso Peninsula is characterized by an intricate rias coastline, with complex terrain created by nature and a rich ecosystem.The tour takes you through crystal clear waters, sometimes disembarking the kayaks and landing on small uninhabited beaches, where you can enjoy a picnic and relax in the peace and quiet of the empty space.On days when the waves are calm, fish, seaweed, and sometimes sea turtles can be seen in the ocean, a moment when you can truly feel at one with nature.

Paddling Archipelago guides are knowledgeable about the local natural environment and ecosystems, and they will explain about the surrounding ocean and islands during the tour.Therefore, the tour is a fulfilling way to enjoy sea kayaking and learn about the nature of Boso at the same time.In addition, the guides are highly experienced and provide safety support, so even first-time participants can join the tour with confidence.

Visitors can enjoy the beauty of each season, especially the contrast of fresh greenery and vivid ocean colors in spring and summer, and autumn leaves in fall.

In addition to spending special time at sea, the sunsets and sunrises seen from a kayak offer inspiring scenery that cannot be experienced in the city.

After the tour, visitors can enjoy fresh seafood at a nearby seafood restaurant, allowing them to enjoy both nature and gourmet food throughout the day.Paddling Archipelago's sea kayaking experience is an outdoor activity that offers a refreshing and peaceful time in the nature of the Boso Peninsula.

paddling archivelago

住所	167 Godo, Minami-Boso-shi, Chiba, Japan
電話番号	0470-29-7333
営業時間	9:00-18:00
定休日	indeterminate rest period (e.g. from work)
公式サイト	https://paddling-a.jp/

3. Mt Takao

Mt. Takao is only about an hour away from Tokyo by train, but is loved by many people throughout the year as a hiking spot with abundant nature and beautiful scenery.
This 599-meter-high mountain offers a variety of climbing routes that can be enjoyed by both beginners and experienced hikers, making it an attractive place to easily get in touch with nature on a day trip.Hiking in Mt. Takao is a popular outdoor activity that allows visitors to enjoy the scenery of the four seasons while also providing a refreshing way to exercise their bodies.

In spring, cherry blossoms and fresh greenery adorn the entire mountain, and in summer, visitors can enjoy forest bathing with the cool sunlight streaming through the trees.In autumn, the entire mountain turns red with autumn leaves, delighting the eyes of visitors, and in winter, the view is clear in the clear air.Fuji from the top of Mt. Takao in good weather, making it an attractive destination regardless of the season.
In the coming season, mid-November to early December is the best time to view the autumn leaves.It is a good idea to make plans early in the season to see the autumn leaves all over the mountain.

There are several routes up the mountain, with the most popular Route 1 being accessible by cable car or lift, allowing even beginners to reach the summit without difficulty.Along the way, Yakuoin Temple, with its sacred atmosphere, historical buildings, and many places of interest are scattered throughout the area, adding cultural enjoyment to a stopover during the hike.Yakuoin Temple attracts many worshippers seeking blessings and is a place of spiritual healing for hikers.

For intermediate climbers and those who are confident in their physical strength, routes closer to nature such as Route 4 and Route 6 are recommended.These routes take you along streams and mountain paths, so you can enjoy climbing while feeling closer to the sounds and sights of nature.In particular, the Route 6 route has a "loquat waterfall" and moss-covered rock surfaces, and there are many points along the way where you can appreciate the beauty of nature.

Upon reaching the summit, visitors can take a break at a teahouse or store and enjoy local specialties such as tororo soba (buckwheat noodles) and dango (dumplings).After descending the mountain, it is recommended to relax at the "Mt. Takao Onsen Gokurakuyu" hot spring facility adjacent to Takaoyamaguchi Station to relieve the fatigue of mountain climbing.

Mt. Takao is an attractive hiking spot with easy access and natural beauty, and can be enjoyed as a day trip.With a variety of trails for beginners and advanced hikers alike, and the natural charm of the four seasons, this mountain offers a refreshing weekend getaway.

Mt. Takao

住所	Takao-cho, Hachioji City, Tokyo
電話番号	042-673-3461
営業時間	Takaoyamaguchi Tourist Information Center／Reception 8:00-17:00 (Dec. to Mar. - 16:00)
公式サイト	https://www.city.hachioji.tokyo.jp/kankobunka/002/takao/index.html

summary

Outdoor activities that can be enjoyed in the suburbs of Tokyo are full of attractions that allow you to interact with nature and experience the exhilaration of physical exertion at the same time.
Canyoning, sea kayaking, hiking, and other outdoor activities all offer different ways to enjoy yourself, but the key point is that they can all be experienced easily on a one-day trip.
Why not take a break from your busy daily life and cherish the time you spend in nature?Refresh your mind and body through these activities, and enjoy new discoveries in the outdoors next weekend.