One of my favorite hiking places within an hour from central Tokyo is Mt. Takao. Only an hour train ride, one time transfer, then we can see amazing Japanese nature and easy hiking. And, we also stop by our special dining place after our hike, Ukai-Toriyama. 

Yesterday, we went hiking in heavy rain. We were not able to cancel it because we have planned this day for many weeks with a friend’s family. It wasn’t easy hiking in the rain but we still had a wonderful day having a very lovely lunch afterwards in the restaurant. 

Uka-Toriyama has opened about 50 years ago when we had the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. After 50 years, still expressing amazing Japanese traditional architecture, and giving me the peacefulness from the garden and cuisine.