One of Tokyo's closest natural retreats, made perfect in spring and autumn
A wonderful daytrip location from Tokyo, Mt. Takao is one of the nearest natural areas to the city at only 50 minutes by train from Tokyo's Shinjuku Station. Mt. Takao is a great spot for hiking, with a number of trails crisscrossing the mountain and leading to the peak at 599 meters.
While Mount Takao is a great destination for an accessible and fun excursion any time of the year, the autumn foliage around November makes the trip especially worthwhile. Beautiful autumn leaves can be seen all the way up from the base of the mountain to the peak. The cable car ride from Kiyotaki Station at the base to Takaosan Station at the top is highly recommended. On the way up the mountain, there are plenty of great spots to take in the nature, and delicious things to eat, so you can enjoy the hike without too much strain.