TOKYO WESTSIDE History Walk

Train About 2 hours, 20 minutes by JR Chuo Line train, Kaiji Express, and Fujikyuko train

Recommended:

Enzuin Temple

With a stone bridge preserved from the Edo period and samurai monument, this gives visitors a chance to see the depth of Tsuru's history and castle routes.

Tourinken

Renowned haiku poet Matsuo Basho is said to have stayed in Yamura for about half a year at the Tourinken. The present building is a recreation of the original built by volunteer city residents.

Mercantile Materials Hall

The building once belonged to a silk merchant and was built in 1921. The interior retains the look and furnishings of the Taisho Period (1912–1926) with what are now rare hand-carved kumiko lattice work and shoji paper doors.

Hassaku Festival Float Display Warehouse

The Hassaku Festival is one of the three major festivals of the Gunnai area and is held each year on September 1st. Here, three of the large festival floats that feature in the event are on display.

Museum Tsuru

The museum shows off the history of Tsuru city, especially as a castle town, and has beautifully decorated stalls used in local festivals.

Katsuyama Castle Ruins/Shiroyama Park

The castle ruins include the foundations and inner moat, and the remains of many stone walls conjure up images of its former glory. In spring, don't miss the view of Mt. Fuji over the tops of the blooming sakura trees.

Naraya-Sweets

When making sweets, Naraya places importance on the blessings of nature unique to its location at the northern foot of Mt. Fuji as well as the flavor of the ingredients.Recommended items are Okashi Tofu, a soymilk-based sweet that looks like tofu, and crispy cream puffs.

Sugaya

Established in 1892, Sugaya is a traditional Japanese confectionery shop.Karinto Manju uses handmade bean paste with time-honored flavor and dark molasses. It represents the shop’s strong commitment.

Walk

Train 30 minutes by Fujikyuko and JR Chuo Honsen Line trains

Walk 15 minutes

Rafting on the Katsura river beneath the unique "Monkey Bridge" gives visitors a chance to actively navigate and view beautiful fall scenery of a bridge and nature famously depicted in ukiyo-e works.

Walk 15 minutes on foot

Train 3 minutes by JR Chuo Line trains

Walk 15 minutes

Walk and hike on Mt. Iwadono

Mt. Iwadono is designated as one of the 12 mountains with the best views of Mt. Fuji in Japan. The 634 meter mountain is the same heigth as the Tokyo Skytree, but offers a variety of hiking courses depending on your level of experience. Especially beautiful in the fall and spring for red autumn leaves and cherry blossoms, the mountain is rich with history and has a special exhibit and resting area that displays beautiful photography f Mt. Fuji. One of the best views of Mt. Fuji in Japan without needing to travel to the actual mountain makes it an attractive hiking course.

Walk 15 minutes on foot

Train 45 minutes by JR Chuo Line train

Walk 20 minutes

Visitors can experience their moment of zen at only Japanese garden in Hachioji, complete with a rock garden, tranquil pond, and koi.

Walk 20 minutes on foot

Walk 5 minutes

Both the cable car and lift allow visitors to leisurely take in the beautiful foresty nature that leads up to the starting point of your journey up the revered Mt. Takao.

Cable Car 6 minutes

Chair lift 12 minutes

Walk 10 minutes

Otoko-zaka, located on Trail 1, has 108 stone steps, symbolizing the 108 earthly desires in Buddhism, and each step rids you of a desire, offering a scenic hiking path that also is full of cultural history. The onna-zaka is a more leisurely steep path that allows visitors to take in their surroundings and focus on nature.

Walk 10 minutes on foot

The historic Yakuo-in temple offers visitors to the mountain to learn about and appreciate Mt. Takao's linked history with the long-nosed supernatural tengu spirits.Statues of them decorate the temple ground, and visitors can take a break here on their trek to appreciate the mountain's folklore.

Walk 25 minutes on foot

Cable Car 6 minutes

Chair lift 12 minutes

Walk 5 minutes

Bus Pickup bus

Recommended:

Ukai Toriyama

Hidden deep in the lush greenery of the hills behind Mt. Takao, this traditional Japanese zashiki style restaurant offers seasonal specialties and delicacies charcoal-grilled in an authentic irori hearth, complete with views of an idyllic garden setting that highlights the beauty of the four seasons.

Ukai Chikutei

Ukai Chikutei specializes in traditional kaiseki multi-course meals and can be found nestled within the natural surroundings of Mt. Takao. Within a tranquil atmosphere conveying the spirit of wabi-sabi from the Japanese tea ceremony, your eyes and palette will be delighted by the finest in seasonal cuisine and the stunning scenery of the surrounding Japanese garden.

Bus Pickup bus

Train About 1.5 hours by Keio Line and JR Chuo Line trains