Resident Blog Archive - share house in Japan, Tokyo. [interwhao]

Mount Takao is around 1 hour from Ichigao Station and about the same time from Shinjuku. It costs about ¥800 each way. Being so close to Tokyo, it seems to be usually pretty busy but a great place to visit and hike, the shortest trail to the top takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, but the hardest part is the final steep steps before you get to the very top.

You can look over Tokyo and if it’s clear see to mountains in the distance. Even with lots of people it’s a tranquil and beautiful place to rest and think. Now the leaves are turning red and orange for autumn the forest is becoming colorful !

On the way down you can pass many ornate shrines and statues and if you feel like a break you can take the lift down. At the bottom there are museums and markets to buy souvenirs and ice cream and it doesn’t even take the whole day!

Yokohama is a great place to visit and not too far from Ichigao Sharehouse (40 minutes by train). It has a different atmosphere from Tokyo, so if you want a relaxed weekend it’s a good place to hang out. I enjoy visiting the red brick warehouse on a sunny day, finding something delicious to eat and watching the sea from the park.

After you can take a walk along the water front and to the Yokohama International Port Terminal which is a beautiful piece of architecture with a interesting view.

China town is also worth a visit to find some snacks and go shopping. It is only a short walk from the port.

In the evening you can return to Yokohama station area where there are loads of restaurants.