Mt Takao 高尾山
Nearest nature to central Tōkyō
Takao-san, an hour from Shinjuku by train, is the closest ‘nature’ you’ll find to downtown Tōkyō - with lovely scenery and trails for easy walking and hiking. This is a nice spot for families.
There are a whole heap of hiking options, a cable-car or chairlift, for those who aren’t so keen on the walking, an attractive temple, a monkey park, a free museum on the nature of the area, and Keio Takaosan Onsen Gokurakuyu for soaking away any aches or pains you get while walking.
There’s even the Takao-san English Voluteer Guide Club (TENGU) offering to show you around for free (make a booking online).
Takao-san is especially popular for cherry blossom viewing in spring and for its foliage colours in autumn.