Todoroki Valley

To anyone just southwest of bustling central Tokyo, Todoroki Valley is something of godsend. Approximately one kilometre in length, it's a green and plush towpath that stretches between Todoroki Station, beneath Kampachi Dori and onwards toward the Todoroki Children's Park. Never crowded, but also rarely deserted, the valley is popular with students from Tokyo City University, as well as the occasional office worker looking for a bit of solitude with which to wash down their lunchtime bento. The tolling of the Todoroki Fudo Temple bell adds to its beatific, restful nature; when the weather is good, there can be few more refreshing spots in the capital.