Best Outdoor sports around Tokyo and Surroundings Spot List

[Tenshozan course: Takes around one hour 10 minutes at a regular pace (or 55 minutes if walked in the reverse direction)] [Momiji-no-sato course: Takes around one hour 20 minutes at a regular pace] This is a great course for people who want to hike among nature. You can stroll through primary forest containing cedar, pine, and beech trees while the sunlight through the branches creates patterns along the path. As the song of wild birds echoes among the trees, you will feel the atmosphere of the deep mountain forest. Please enjoy the natural scenery of Okuyugawara while stopping by to see the Hakuun waterfall which resembles silk threads flowing through the greenery, and Tenshozan Shrine, which is beautiful in every season. The newly named Momiji-no-sato is best enjoyed in November. However, it can be crowded during foliage season. Access: From Yugawara Station, take the bus headed to Okuyugawara or Fudo-Taki for about 18 minutes Alight at the Okuyugawara Iriguchi bus stop

On this course, the various changes in scenery will give you a boost as you walk. Walk along the clear stream of the Niizaki River, which is a fishing ground for Japanese salmon and trout, and you’ll arrive at the huge rock face of Makuyama. The peak of the mountain is 626 meters above sea level and you can enjoy wonderful views of Sagami Bay. The grass spreading over the mountain is a treasure trove of wild flowers. While walking through the vast, open landscape, you can enjoy a view filled with seasonal plants. Access: From Yugawara Station, take the bus headed to Makuyama Koen for about 20 minutes The course starts next to the Makuyama Koen bus stop

[Takes around two hours 20 minutes at a regular pace (or two hours and 30 minutes if walked in the reverse direction) - suitable for regular walkers] A course where you can enjoy the view while touring historic relics dating back to the days when Yugawara was called Doi-go. You will get a feel for the close ties between Yugawara and Yoritomo Minamoto as you take in sights such as Joganji Temple, Sanehira’s family temple, the Doi castle ruins (at the peak of Mt. Shiroyama), and Shitodo Cave. The grassy meadow of the picnic area is a best place to stop and have lunch. The superb view from the top of Mt. Shiroyama enables you to look over Sagami Bay, as well as the Izu Peninsula, and even as far as Hatsushima and Oshima islands.

[Takes around three hours 25 minutes at a regular pace - suitable for regular walkers] From the peak of Mt. Nango, 610 meters above sea level, you can enjoy incredible views of the Manazuru Peninsula stretching out into Sagami Bay. People who are interested in old legends can head to Jigansui pond. It is where Minamoto no Yoritomo is said to have gone to commit suicide after losing the Battle of Ishibashiyama. Legend says, after seeing the miserable image of himself reflected on the water, he returned to the fight. Nearby you can also see the remains of Komichi Jizodo (hall for guardian deities), which appears in “Genpei Seisuiki” (The Rise and Fall of the Minamoto and the Taira Clans), and is a good place to stroll while thinking about the Sengoku period. Access: From Yugawara Station, take the bus headed to Kajiya for about 15 minutes The start is right next to the Kajiya bus stop

[Takes around two hours 15 minutes at a regular pace - suitable for regular walkers] Known as the ”stone Buddha walking course” as stone Buddhas have been placed along the route to show you the way. Start from Jukkokutoge-sancho Station, which overlooks all ten of surrounding ancient kingdoms of Japan, namely Izu, Suruga, To'otoumi, Kai, Shinano, Musashi, Sagami, Awa, Kazusa, and Shimofusa. The station also affords a great view of Mr. Fuji.