Favorite Spots in Tokyo: Hidden Canyon (No. 1)🏞️

Hello💓

I thought I would introduce to you some of my favorite spots in Tokyo. I may make this into a series if you’re interested😊 (it will be in no particular order).

Today I want to share with you my favorite escape from the city, especially in the hot summer. It is about 1-1.5 hours by train from the center of Tokyo, but it is really worth the trip.

It is the Hatonosu Canyon in the Okutama region in Tokyo. It doesn’t look at all like it would be in Tokyo - the abundance of trees, the beautiful flowing river, the sounds of nature, and the wide canyon make you feel that you are far away from the city.

During the summer, I came here to escape from the unbearable heat. I would swim in the river (which was very cold!)🥶 and take the train home. I would feel cool for the rest of the evening.

In the photo is my little secret place where I like to swim💓 Sometimes there are other people too, and I make new friends ☺️

The water is very clean too. For this reason they can produce wasabi, which can only grow in pure running waters.

There was a lady selling fresh wasabi in front of the little train station. I bought one and later that night I had it with rice and shoyu (as she recommended). It was very good. I think it was the first time in my life that I had real wasabi. It tastes different from the horseradish wasabi that is normally served at restaurants! It was more soft in flavor and was very pleasant.

There are many things to do in Okutama. I would like to come back more often to explore the other things in this region. I have done a hike in this area which was very nice. I’d love to do more😊

It’s such a beautiful and serene place accessible from Tokyo. And that’s why it’s one of my favorite places to go and escape💓

Let me know if you’d like me to share more of my favorite places with you💕

Chuu always,

YJG💋