Hatonosu Canyon — Attraction in Tokyo

A perfect summer escape... I came in mid-September (35°) on a Friday, and it wasn't busy at all. A few other people were scattered across the river, but it was easy to find a quiet spot to enjoy. The water is absolutely freezing, which I failed to anticipate, but don't let that stop you from swimming as letting the currents take you downstream is a fun experience. If you want to find the spot I went to all you have to do is cross the bridge and take a right, then after taking some steps down keep your eyes open to the righthand side for an opening that gives you a really nice view, from there scale down some rocks which was fairly easy and it should take you right down to a sandy part where...

It's part of the Ootama Walking Trail that connects Okutama station to Kori Station. The section that the canyon is a part of is between Shiromaru and Hatonosu stations. The trail is easygoing and right next to the river for the majority of the time. If kayaking or SUP (Paddle boarding) is your thing, the water is calm enough for beginners to get the bearings. However, while there seems to be two main "put ins" and many kayaks+ SUP stored there; I do not know if those are personal spots rented by the public (like bike parking at stations) or if they are rental equipment used by...

As you ride the train to Okutama, you'll see many people heading for hikes, even elderly folks, which is pretty impressive. There are different hiking spots to explore. We started at Hatonosu Station and walked to Okutama Station, around 10km, but it was totally worth it. The track is pretty easy and beginner-friendly. The path is calm and green, with lots of trees. The river water is clear, and some folks are fishing for rainbow trout. You can also try canoeing with a reservation, I think. Late November would be a great time to visit, when the trees turn a...