What to bring

Suica or Pasmo IC card — non-negotiable

An IC card (rechargeable transit card) gets you on every train, subway, bus and even some taxis in the greater Tokyo area. You can also use it at convenience stores, vending machines and many cafés. Load ¥2,000–3,000 before you leave and top up at any station machine. If you have a newer iPhone or Android, the digital version in your phone's wallet app is even simpler.

A small daypack

For the packed lunch, a change of shirt (summers are humid and hot), water bottle and rain layer. A 20-litre pack is enough for any episode in this guide. For Mount Takao, bring a slightly larger pack — you'll want more water and snacks for the full trail.

A reusable water bottle

Vending machines are everywhere in Tokyo — about one per 20 people — so you'll never be far from a cold drink. But for nature episodes (Mount Takao, Tama River, Zenpukuji Park) it's better to bring enough water and buy less on the road. A 750ml bottle is usually sufficient.

A compact umbrella or packable rain jacket

Tokyo gets rain year-round but especially during rainy season (tsuyu), which runs from early June to mid-July. A compact folding umbrella fits any bag and is the single most useful thing to have on a rainy-season day. Convenience stores sell them cheaply if you get caught out.

Packed lunch from the night before

Convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson) are excellent backup for food on the road — onigiri, sandwiches and hot items are genuinely good. But the meal prep guide has a recipe matched to every episode, all under ¥600. Pack it the night before and eat it somewhere you've never been. Tastes better.

Comfortable walking shoes

For urban and park episodes, any comfortable walking shoe is fine. For Mount Takao, bring trail runners or light hiking shoes — the trail is well maintained but can be slippery after rain. Avoid sandals on any trail episode.

Google Maps or Citymapper (Tokyo)

Both handle Tokyo transit well. Google Maps is slightly better for real-time departures. Citymapper shows platform numbers, which saves time at big stations. Download offline maps for the area you're visiting before you leave WiFi — connectivity in some underground stations can be spotty.

Maps.me for nature episodes

For Mount Takao and riverside walks, Maps.me shows footpaths and trail routes that Google Maps misses. Download the relevant area as an offline map. On Mount Takao especially, it helps to see the different trail options before you start.

Weather app with hourly forecasts

Tokyo's weather is fairly predictable by season but afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer (July–September). Check hourly before heading out for outdoor episodes. Weather Underground and Weather.com are more reliable for Tokyo than many default phone weather apps.

A power bank

For longer episodes (Mount Takao, Tama River) your phone works harder as a map, camera and music source. A power bank means you don't ration battery from early afternoon. A 10,000mAh model fits in any bag and covers a full day.

Pocket WiFi or local SIM

If you're visiting from abroad, a pocket WiFi rental or a local data SIM card is essential. Most convenience stores sell tourist SIMs. Pocket WiFi units can be rented from the airport. Don't rely on roaming data for navigating Tokyo — the costs add up fast and speeds are often throttled.

Trail shoes for Mount Takao

Trail 1 is paved and can be done in trainers. Trail 6 (the river gorge route) is unpaved, sometimes muddy, and has some rocky sections — trail runners are much better. If you only have one pair of shoes for the trip, trail runners cover everything in this guide.

Sunscreen and insect repellent in summer

Japan's UV index is high in summer. On Mount Takao and the Tama River, you'll be exposed for several hours. Mosquitoes are present in parks and along riverbanks from May to October — a small bottle of repellent is worth carrying. Long sleeves also help on the trails.

Extra water for Mount Takao

Bring at least 1 litre per person for the Takao hike. There's a vending machine near the trailhead and a café at the summit (seasonal), but the trail itself has no water sources. In summer, bring more — 1.5 litres minimum. Heat exhaustion on the mountain is more common than people expect.