Okutama

Okutama (奥多摩) is a mountainous region along the Tama River, at the extreme western end of Tokyo.

Lake Okutama

Get in

By train

Okutama station is located at the end of the JR Ome Line. Although a few direct trains run from Tokyo and Shinjuku, the usual way to get there is to take a Chuo Line rapid service to Ome or Tachikawa, then change trains for Okutama at either Ome or Tachikawa. The trip from central Tokyo takes around 2 hours and costs about ¥1,200 one way.

Get around

Several buses ply the main routes in Okutama, and taxis and rental cars are also available around Okutama Station. The town itself and several mountain hiking areas are within walking distance of the station.

See

The areas around Okutama and Mitake stations receive the most visitors, but the smaller stations in between are also good for hiking in the hills or enjoying riverside scenery and camping.

• 🌍 Lake Okutama (奥多摩湖). Located behind a large dam on the Tama River is the largest lake in Tokyo. The western end of the lake extends into Yamanashi. Regular buses are available from Okutama Station (20 min). There's also a mostly gentle 9-km hiking trail called the "Mukashi-michi" (昔道) that can get you there in about 4 hours. 
• 🌍 Mount Gozen (御前山). Hiking trails lead to the 1,405 m summit. 
• 🌍 Mount Odake (大岳山), Hinohara. Hiking trails lead to the 1,267 m summit. 
• 🌍 Nippara Caves (日原鍾乳洞), ☎ [phone]. Full of stalagmites and stalactites, can be reached by bus. 
• 🌍 Mount Mitake (御岳山). This 929 m mountain is famous for the mountaintop Mitake Shrine. If you don't want to hike up the mountain, a ropeway and bus service cover most of the distance between the shrine and Mitake Station on the Ome Line. On a clear day you can see all of Tokyo as well as Nikko's peaks to the northeast. From the mountaintop there are trails, some quite strenuous, that can make for a good half-day of hiking. 

Do

Okutama is home to several hot springs.

• 🌍 Moegi-no-yu (もえぎの湯), 119-1 Hikawa (10 minutes walk from Okutama Station.), ☎ [phone]. Tu-Su. A hot spring that features views of the Tama River valley. Adults ¥750. 

Eat

• Wasabizuke (わさび漬け). Pickled Wasabi leaf. ¥400. 

Drink

Sleep

Budget

Okutama is home to many campgrounds, quite a few of which will allow you to pitch a tent for free.

Mid-range

There are a number of minshuku in the area, charging around ¥6,000 per night.

• 🌍 Ryokan Goshuen (旅館 五洲園), Mitake Honcho 266 (3 min upstream from Mitake Station.), ☎ [phone]. Small traditional inn with clean well-furnished rooms, pleasant location overlooking the river, and a spectacular dinner. ¥8,000 per person for twins and doubles. 

Splurge

• 🌍 Suiko-en (水香園), Kawai 640 (Near Kawai Station.), ☎ [phone]. The most expensive ryokan in the area. ¥18,000 and up. 

Go next

• 🌍 Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park (秩父多摩甲斐国立公園).  

Routes through Okutama

END ←	W  E	→ Ōme → Haijima → Tachikawa
END ←	N  S	→ Otsuki → Fuji Yoshida → Fujinomiya
Kofu ← Koshu ←	W  E	→ Ome → Hachioji