Kanoto Rock 神戸岩

A natural monument in the forests of western Tokyo

Forest bathing, shinrin yoku in Japanese, is becoming ever more popular among those who seek to achieve mindfulness through nature. As a result, Tokyoites are increasingly frequenting the idyllic Hinohara Village, in the Nishitama district of Tokyo, to indulge in hiking, fishing, and camping surrounded by nature.

Kanoto Rock is a natural monument forming a steep cliff face along 60-meter long gorge. Along the gorge are several waterfalls, which you can see by hiking along a narrow route with fixed chains and ladders. But don't worry, walking this route is not especially difficult. You may spot climbers attempting to scale the rock, a limestone crag of about 100 meters high carved out by the river flowing beneath it. A bus takes you to the trailhead in about 40 minutes from Hinohara Station.