Kappa-dera (Matsugaya / Kappabashi Area)
Visit Kappa-dera, a temple dedicated to the mischievous water spirit kappa, where you’ll even find a “mummified” kappa hand and fun statues. It’s a playful and slightly spooky stroll for families.
Mount Mitake & Musashi-Mitake Shrine
Walk the forested trails up Mt. Mitake to the Musashi-Mitake Shrine, where local legend says a white wolf once led the mythical warrior Yamato Takeru to safety.
Tengu Rock on Mt. Mitake
Along the Rock Garden trail on Mt. Mitake, there’s a rock shaped like a tengu’s long nose. These bird-like goblins are said to watch over the forest, giving the walk a magical, mythical feel.
Flowing through mossy rocks, Ayahiro Falls is part of a purification ritual (“misogi”) site children may be fascinated by its ancient spiritual traditions and nature’s serenity.
Shukubo (Pilgrim Lodgings) on Mt. Mitake
Stay in a shukubo, traditional lodgings run by shrine priests, to experience old-style hospitality, hear stories of mountain ascetics, and feel the spiritual history under the same roof.
Kodan Storytelling at Jigenji (Kita-Senju)
In Kita-Senju, you can follow the Old Nikko Kaidō and join a storytelling tour where kodan (traditional folktales) are told at Jigenji Temple, bringing to life Tokyo’s “Seven Wonders of Senju.”
Tips for Families
- Go with a guide for storytelling walks so children can follow the legends.
- Bring comfortable shoes: many trails are rocky or forested.
- Choose morning or early afternoon for Mt. Mitake walks to enjoy nature and quieter moments.