Takao-san Mountain

At almost 2,000 feet high, Takao-san Mountain is 30 miles from downtown Tokyo — perfect for a day trip of casual hiking; for nonhikers, cable cars and chairlifts are available.

At the cable car’s summit station is the beer garden Takaozan Beer Mount, with a metropolitan view.

The cable car costs ¥900 ($10) round trip. Its hours are 8-5, but when the beer garden is open it operates 8 a.m.-9:30 p.m. The Beer Mount garden is open 4-9:30, July 1-Sept. 30. A 2-hour, all-you-can-eat-and-drink buffet costs ¥3,300 ($36.50). Visit www.takaotozan.co.jp/takaotozan_eng1/index.htm.