Todoroki Keikoku | The Crafty Tokyoite's Guide to Japan

The Crafty Tokyoite’s Guide to Japan is a weekly (or an attempt to be) feature I post about recommendations of places to visit in Japan (mostly Tokyo). I know this is a tourist heavy country and if I can help in any way with anybody wanting to take a trip out here, I would love that more than anything. Sometimes they’re lists, sometimes they’re photo logs of places I’ve been to, and sometimes they’re just a simple blog post with something I want to share about the city I love the best. I hope you enjoy and please feel free to leave any comments or feedback about places in Japan you’d like me to write about!

As the summer months approach, Tokyo is getting hotter and hotter every day. If you know anything about Tokyo summers, you know they are quite miserable (at least for me). Humidity + no breeze + crazy hot heat = June, July, and August in September. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit or that you should only stay indoors these months! In fact, L and I discovered this amazing spot last weekend, thanks to my mom. Apparently while I was living in Hawaii, she would walk Alfie here during hot summer days. Say hello to Todoroki Keikoku – a hidden gem in the ‘burbs of Tokyo. It’s literally a 5 minute drive from my house and one of the most beautiful, serene and mystical places I’ve been to.

Covered with greenery and a beautiful stream that runs through the valley, Todoroki Keikoku is a beautiful sanctuary if you want to get away for the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s so much cooler than up on the streets and in the sun, as it’s tucked away under the trees that provide shade, and it’s lower than street level – the stream definitely adds the “cooler” feeling this place gives off. If you love greenery and nature, this spot will be a haven to you. The trail is pretty long – I think one way could easily take up to an hour but we only walked about 30 minutes and turned around since our dog was pretty pooped and L is still in recovery from his broken leg. Regardless, I highly recommend making a pit stop if you have a free day during your visit to Tokyo.

Things you should bring with you: