Autumn Miyazaki marvel

The Ghibli tickets can wait – come explore a hideaway that Hayao Miyazaki used to set one of his early films. Searching all over for a wheezing, rusty industrial landscape in the middle of nature, he finally found it, of all places, in Tokyo. It's easy to see why he chose this spot, where the train tracks end and the wilderness begins – in Okutama.

He also discovered that the best season is late Fall, with colors at their peak. Join us on lovely forest trails above, below, behind and finally through the clanging heart of this iron giant that Miyazaki found, in the midst of a national park.

9:30 may sound like a late start for us, but you'll need to be up in time to catch the 7:44 Chuo Rapid from Shinjuku. At the end of the line is Ome, where your train to Okutama will be waiting to depart on the opposite side of the platform. Be sure to take seats on the right – the views up the valley are spectacular.

Please bring sturdy shoes, layers for the day's weather, something to share for a potluck lunch and, if you're like Hayao, a sketchbook and colored pencils.