When the mountains are blanketed with the fresh, green leaves of spring, it's peak hiking season. Hiking has always been a popular activity as it presents a challenge surmountable for most people, regardless of age. It's easy to prepare for and not as risky as rock-climbing or other hardcore outdoor sports requiring skill and experience.

Here's our selection of hiking routes in the Kanto region. So hop on the express train and enjoy the changing landscapes of the countryside.

Nokogiriyama hiking course in Chiba Prefecture: Enjoy the extraordinary sight of the Nokogiriyama mountains that make a sawtooth (nokogiri) pattern when seen from Tokyo Bay and the Miura Peninsula. To start, take the ropeway from Hamakanaya Station on the Uchibo Line, or take a taxi on Nokogiri-dori. The hike downhill is through the grounds of Nihondera Temple, where you'll see the 31-meter-tall Buddha statue (the largest daibutsu in Japan). Walking time: about one hour and 40 minutes.