Forget everything you thought you knew about Tokyo. The capital is a launching pad for experiences that’ll redefine what you thought possible in one of the world’s most populous cities.

Can’t decide between a city break and the great outdoors? In Tokyo, you don’t have to. Yes, really! Japan’s capital is perfectly sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and the Kantō Mountain range, making it surprisingly easy to get off the beaten path. But don’t take our word for it. Grab yourself a train or ferry ticket and try these experiences for yourself.

Mountain Highs

Around an hour from Shinjuku’s buzz, Mount Takao is nature’s ultimate reset button. Whether you’re aiming to elevate your heart rate, soak up some inspiring views, or pause for a moment of Zen at cultural attractions, this natural sanctuary demonstrates that Tokyo’s wild side lies just beyond the subway map.

You’ll find everything from gentle paved paths perfect for families to more challenging routes along well-marked trails snaking up its 599-metre summit. Trail number 1 delivers the greatest hits—an octopus-shaped 450-year-old cedar, a monkey park where Japanese macaques eye you suspiciously, and a traditional tea house serving local sweets.

Not up for a hike? The Mount Takao Cable

Car rockets you halfway up in six minutes flat, transforming what should be an hour-long trek into a breezy ride. For the more daring, opt for the chairlift and 12 minutes of wind rippling through your hair as the forest canopy spreads below like a green carpet.

On clear days, be sure to make for the Mount Takao Summit Observation Deck to take in Mount Fuji, emerging from the horizon like a perfectly painted backdrop. 

No matter how you manoeuvre around the mountain, you’ll have earned your suds at Mt. Takao Beer Mount. Feast on all-you-can-eat barbecue and unlimited beer at this sprawling beer garden that operates from June through October.

For a traditional Japanese dining experience, look to Ukai Toriyama, where diners sit in private rooms on tatami mats while feasting on charcoal-grilled chicken and seasonal dishes.

Soul Soothing

Cultural explorers curious about spirituality can venture inside Takaosan Yakuo-in Yukiji, a Buddhist temple established in 744 AD. It’s a training ground for mountain asceticism, where monks seek enlightenment through nature’s raw power. Witness waterfall meditation, where practitioners stand beneath cascading torrents to purify mind and body or try fire walking across glowing embers. First-timers can play it safe and sample Buddhist vegetarian cuisine.

After conquering peaks and communing with ancient spirits, you might crave a spot of pampering. Keio Takaosan Onsen Gokurakuyu, a traditional Japanese spa, delivers exactly that with hot spring baths and saunas. Add a massage and slurp fresh soba noodles to emerge feeling reborn.