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5 Instagram-worthy hidden gems near Tokyo

TOKYO — Travelling to Tokyo can be a daunting experience. For one, there are so many places to visit, it is difficult to know where to start.

TOKYO — Travelling to Tokyo can be a daunting experience. For one, there are so many places to visit, it is difficult to know where to start.

But what if you have been there so many times that you long for new places to visit? As a seasoned Tokyo visitor who has been there seven times over the last four years, I found myself seeking out new (and Instagram-worthy) places close to Tokyo. Bonus: For the most part, you can get there without having to board a bullet train.

OZE NATIONAL PARK

The only location on this list that requires you to board a bullet train is Oze National Park, which is geared towards nature lovers who do not mind a bit of adventure.

The most attractive site in Oze is the Ozegahara Marshland. You can traverse the marshland via a 6km long wooden walkway, to see hundreds of small pools. The marshland is surrounded by a mountain range, making for great photo opportunities. Such is the scenery that one almost feels like Frodo walking through the Dead Marshes in The Two Towers movie. That said, Oze is much more attractive.

After exploring the marshes, you will reach a valley where you will have to hike up a mountain path to reach the Ozenuma Pond — another Instagram-worthy location.

 

However, the path is not easy, with rocky trails and steep inclines. Also note that some paths are marked only in Japanese, so there is a possibility of getting lost.

The journey from Tokyo to Oze National Park requires you to take a bullet train, then a local train. Next, you will transfer to a local bus, then board a shuttle bus that will take you up a mountain. It took me about four hours to get to the Hatomachitoge trailhead of Oze, the closest point to the Ozegahara Marshland.

The day I visited, I had just reached Ozenuma Pond at sunset. The light was fading very quickly. I chose to leave, but spent 1½ hours walking through a forest in darkness (no street lamps in the countryside) before I reached the bus stop — only to find I had missed the last bus.

With no mobile-phone reception to call for help, I had no choice but to walk down a winding mountain path to the nearest town.

The next four hours were harrowing as I walked alone in the dark. To keep fear at bay, I sang as I walked (thankfully, no one sang back). I made it out to the town, where I managed to catch a last local bus to the train station where I could take a train back to Tokyo.

Talking to the bus driver, I learnt that the area I had walked through is populated by Japanese Black Bears, which I was fortunate enough not to encounter.

Looking back now, I can say that I got two things out of Oze: Some really nice photos, and a great story to tell my friends.

How to get to Mount Oze from Tokyo: Take the Joetsu shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Takasaki Station, and transfer to a local train to Numata Station. From Numata Station, there is at least one bus per hour to Tokura, where you will need to take another shuttle bus to Hatomachitoge.

Tip: Do not be overly ambitious. Also, plan your trip to get there early.

ENOSHIMA ISLAND

Enoshima is a tiny island about an hour’s train ride from Tokyo. From the north end of the island, you get a view across the coast to Mount Fuji. A view from the south has you gazing across the vast expanse of Sagami Bay.

But the main lure of Enoshima is not the view. There are several other sites on the island that are a big draw.

The Iwaya Caves, for instance, eroded by tides for thousands of years and elevated from the sea by repeated earthquakes, offer a glimpse into the natural and cultural history of the island.

(There's a substantial population of free-roaming cats on Enoshima Island too)

According to historical records, the island was used as a religious sanctuary until the late Edo period (1603-1868). There are several Buddhist statues in one cave, believed to have been placed there around the 6th century. Another cave is dedicated to a legendary dragon.

The shadows and natural light seeping into the caves provide atmospheric, moody backgrounds for photos. And, right outside the caves, you can walk along a rocky lagoon, watching fishermen cast their lines into the sea as hawks circle overhead.

How to get to Enoshima from Tokyo: Take the JR Tokaido Line from Tokyo Station or the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line from Shinjuku Station to Ofuna Station, where you will need to transfer onto the Shonan Monorail. Ride that until the final stop.

Tip: Get an Enopass that gives you access to all the attractions on the island for 1,000 yen (S$12.50). The Enopass allows you to ride to the escalators on the island, meaning you will not have to climb too many stairs. The walk down to the Iwaya Caves, however, has no escalators.

A HIDDEN 'MINI-FUSHIMI INARI'

One of Kyoto’s most famous locations is Fushimi Inari — a historic Shinto shrine famous for its thousands of jet-red torii gates along its trails. However, have you heard of Fushimi Hakuseki Inari Shrine, which is close to Tokyo and almost never visited by tourists?

According to RocketNews24, the shrine is located in Tauraosakucho, Yokosuka, in Kanagawa Prefecture (about 1½ hours away from Tokyo).

To get there, you will need to walk about 20 minutes through a tiny town to a small hill. Once you reach the hill, you have to walk through a forested area and follow a creepy path up to dozens of cracked torii gates in varying states of disrepair. Then, you will find a small shrine dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice.

The path up is not very maintained and extremely small, and overgrown with shrubs. But here is the reward: You will be able to count yourself as one of the rare tourists to have ever made this trek.

How to get to the Fushimi Hakuseki Inari Shrine from Tokyo : Take the JR Yokosuka Line from Shinagawa Station to Taura Station. From Taura Station, take the South exit and follow the signs (Warning: they’re in Japanese) to the small residential neighbourhood. Keep walking towards the direction of the mountain range, and you will spot a torii gate at the bottom of a hill.

Tip: Although the climb is not very high, you will still need a good pair of walking shoes. Also remember to be respectful by keeping your voice down, as the shrine is located near a residential area.

TELEPHONE POLES RISING FROM THE SEA

Egawa Beach in Kisarazu is known for its telephone poles sticking out of the sea. There is a stunning view across to Tokyo, and on clear days, you can even spot Mount Fuji on the horizon.

This is supposedly one of Japan’s fabled “beauty spots”, and it is easy to see why. I got there about two hours before sunset, and there was a small group of photographers already camped out at the site. They were waiting for the golden moment close to sunset, when the light reflects off the waters.

To get to Egawa Beach on foot, be prepared to walk for about an hour — past a cemetery and alongside a military camp —from the nearest train station. Because of this, most people drive to the location. I opted to walk, and found it was pleasant to take in the scenery, which included what appeared to be maize farms.

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But with no street lamps to light the way, I left Egawa Beach about an hour before sunset as I did not feel up to walking in pitch darkness.

How to get to Egawa Beach from Tokyo: Take the JR Chuo-Sobu Line from Shinjuku Station to Chiba Station. Hop onto the Uchibo Line to Iwane Station. The train ride takes around 1 hour and 50 minutes. You will then have to use Google Maps to navigate your way to Egawa Beach if you are walking. So make sure you have Internet access.

Tip: Instead of alighting at Iwane Station, you can head to Kisarazu Station (a few stops down the line) where you will find good seafood, a seaside park, and a marina. The walk from Kisarazu Station to Egawa Beach takes you along the coast, but it is about three hours long. The upside is that if you have the time and are up for exploring, you will get to take in many sights.

LAKE SAGAMIKO + SAGAMIKO PLEASURE FOREST

Another popular site among the locals, but not well-known among tourists, is the Sagamiko Pleasure Forest — a theme park and camping ground which features Paddington Bear.

The best time to visit the Sagamiko Pleasure Forest, especially for the sake of your Instagram profile — is from late autumn through to the winter months, when the Sagamiko Illumillion event takes place.

The event is said to be one of the largest seasonal illuminations in the Kanto region. Every night from November to January, about five million LED lights in a vast array of colours light up the hillsides. The entry fee is 800 yen.

One way to maximise your time here is to make a trip out of it. Head out from Tokyo early in the day and aim to hit Mount Takao (another very popular local site) in the morning. Then, make your way to the Sagamiko area, a few train stations down from Takao, in the early to mid-afternoon.

There, stroll around Lake Sagamiko, which is surrounded by a mountain range. Amble up a mountain path to the Pleasure Forest resort.

The Pleasure Forest resort also has a mini go-kart, a Ferris wheel, and some other thrill rides.

Alternatively, get to Sagamiko Station at around 5pm, and take the bus from the train station to the Pleasure Forest. If you book early, you might be able to reserve a cabin lodge for the night.

How to get to Lake Sagamiko /Sagamiko Pleasure Forest from Tokyo: Take the JR Chuo Line (Red) to Takao Station. Change to the Chuo Line (Blue) to Sagamiko Station. From Sagamiko Station, you can walk down to Lake Sagamiko or take Bus No. 21 to the Pleasure Forest.

Tip: When you reach the Pleasure Forest, take a chair lift up to the top of the hill where the Ferris wheel and thrill rides are located. Work your way down the illuminated path and through the area.

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