TOKYO Greater Tokyo Tokyo's fringes offer great mountain trails, park amusements, sake breweries and monkeys

When most people think of Tokyo, they picture the urban face of the city so often portrayed in the media—full of neon, crowded stations, skyscrapers, theme cafes and offbeat subcultures.

Seasoned visitors, however, know that Greater Tokyo, the outskirts of the metropolis, offer some of the most worthwhile destinations, including one-of-a-kind museums, fun amusement parks, and Tokyo's inviting outback.

Located on the fringes of the metropolis, many of Greater Tokyo's sightseeing spots are within a one- to two-hour trip from Shinjuku Station.

Mt Mitake and Mt Takao are both popular outer Tokyo hiking spots suitable for beginners. Lifts and cable cars are available for those who want to enjoy the views without breaking into a sweat on the ascent.

Mt Takao is popular for its monkey park and Yakuo-in Temple , an esoteric Buddhist training ground. On Mt Mitake's summit, the Musashi-Mitake Shrine is a half-hour hike from the upper cable car station through a beautiful stretch of forest.

Okutama's nine-kilometer Mukashi Michi Trail follows the Tama River Valley in Chichibutamakai National Park. It's especially enchanting in fall.

The Edo Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum features buildings and townscapes from 17th- to early 20th-century Japan. These aren't miniature models or drawings, either, but actual houses and shops that guests can wander through and explore.

Take a look inside a 17th-century home and see the tools used in daily life. Snap photos of an old teahouse and check out the bathhouse that served as an inspiration for the animated film Spirited Away. The whole museum is an antidote to the modern city.

Studio Ghibli's animated features have touched the hearts of millions, with My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away and Kiki's Delivery Service among its most popular titles. Relive the magic of your favorites with the Ghibli Museum's life-size recreations of their animated worlds.

Located at the outskirts of Inokashira Park, the museum also shows visitors how Ghibli films are made. You can even watch shorts animated exclusively for the museum. Be sure to check out the Ghibli goods and collectibles, which are unavailable elsewhere.

Cherry blossom season is a marvelous time to be in Japan. Musashino's Inokashira Park and the grand Showa Memorial Park in Tachikawa are both favorite cherry blossom viewing spots. For a date like no other, pedal a boat together on one of their picturesque ponds when the cherry trees are in bloom.

Outer Tokyo's foliage spots are a remarkable sight when the leaves turn fiery hues of orange and red, bright yellow and gold. For maple leaves, check out Mt Takao and Mt Mitake . Visit Showa Memorial Park for rows of golden ginkgo trees.

You won't have to worry about the weather at this indoor theme park dedicated to the character creations of Sanrio and the world of kawaii. Delve into Japanese childhood and enjoy the park's colorful rides. Take photos of Hello Kitty and her cuddly, quirky friends on parade. Meet the wildly popular lazy egg Gudetama, and seek out the perfect kawaii souvenirs for friends and family.

Tokyo's largest amusement park, Yomiuri Land features dozens of attractions for both children and adults, including roller coasters, an expansive summer waterpark, and bungee jumping.

From November to February, Yomiuri Land hosts Jewellumination, when the park turns into a stunning display of colorful projection mapping and 5.5 million winter lights. The sea of color will make you forget all about the winter cold.

Learn how Japanese sake is produced at Ozawa Brewery in Ome, west of Tokyo. A visit here will give you the chance to sample a variety of delicious brews. Enjoy drinking on a terrace overlooking the beautiful Tama River and Mitake Valley.