About an hour outside of Tokyo on the Keio Takao rail line, Mount Takao makes for a great day trip to experience some hiking and to get a quick taste of the green Japanese countryside. Mount Takao offers good hiking trails, a funicular railway, a fun chairlift ride, and mountaintop views overlooking Tokyo as well as views across the Tama Region to Mt. Fuji (on a clear day).
After exiting the Takao-san Guchi rail station, head up the pathways (veering to your right) to the entrance of the Mount Takao park area, which is also the station where you can catch the cablecar or chairlift up the moutainside. Or if you’re game for a hike, choose one of six trails up the mountain; it’s about an hour’s walk. Route 6 is fun and woodsy and a great climb, but you may encounter some mud and rocks along the way; if you want a paved route, consider Route 1 (but be warned; portions of the paved path are very steep).
Arrive well before 4pm if you want to get a glimpse of the monkeys in Mount Takao’s Monkey Park; things shut down come late afternoon. Atop the mountain are several little cafes where you can have a beer or snack to reward you for your climb.
There’s a lovely Buddhist temple near the top of Mount Takao, too; accessible from Route 1. It dates from 744 and its healing waters are still used by worshippers today.
