My family and I visited Tokyo during the warm month of September this year. Even though we visit Tokyo frequently, this was our first time being there when the weather is warm and humid. We did this on purpose – we wanted to enjoy the nature and outdoors activities before it gets too cold.
While in Tokyo, we are usually based in an area by the Tama River. Tama River is a well-known river that runs south of Tokyo metropolitan area and eventually goes out to Tokyo Bay area by Haneda Airport. The river famously marks the end of Tokyo and the start of Kanagawa prefecture.
But if you trace the Tama river to the West, you’ll quickly realize that it’s a very long river. At the very end of Tama river, lies an area called Okutama, and that’s where we went!
Travel Tips for visiting Okutama
Mountain hours aka early closing hours โ Much like anything else on the mountain, things close early in Okutama, including attractions and amenities. Be prepared to get everything done by 5PM to be safe.
Bear sightings in the spring and summer โ Yes, there are black bears in the area ๐ฐ while it’s still uncommon, be sure to know what to do if you see one especially if you plan to venture into the hiking areas. Back in August 2025, a visitor who were fishing by the Otaba river was suddenly attacked by a bear cub. Luckily, he escaped only with some scratches. Bears were also seen in Ome and Hinode in the same month.
Okutama Visitor Center โ This visitor center is located right by the JR Okutama station. You’d be able to pick up hiking maps and get information around the area. I highly recommend stopping by here if you plan to hit the trails.
Do supply and grocery runs in Ome โ Ome is the biggest town in Okutama. Once you reach proper Okutama where all the nature and hiking trails are, amenities are thin. If you plan to stay for a few days, I highly recommend to stock up some food in Ome before going to Okutama.
When is the best time to go to Okutama?
Okutama is famous for hiking trails, outdoor camping, and water activities. If you want to do those, it’s best to come during the Summer while the weather is warm.
While I was in Okutama I noticed there were many Momiji trees. So I think this area would make an excellent destination during Autumn as well, especially when it’s peak time usually in early to mid November for Momijigari.
How to get to Okutama from Tokyo
Self-driving – This is the most convenient way because there is not much “last mile” options once you get to Okutama. There are public transportation in the form of buses, but they don’t come as frequently as if you’re in a big city like Tokyo. If you rent a car from Tokyo, Okutama can be reached in under 2 hours. You can book a car rental from Tokyo, which you can pick up from the airport or in the city:
- Car Rental Pick up in Tokyo
- Car Rental Pick up from Narita Airport
- Car Rental Pick up from Haneda Airport
Just remember that driving in Japan requires an International Driving License, which you need to get in your home country.
By Train and Bus – If driving is not an option, public transportation is still viable option. You can reach Okutama via JR Ome line. To access this line, take the JR Chuo line from Shinjuku to Tachikawa station and transfer to the JR Ome line to Okutama station. It takes a little under 2 hours to reach Okutama station from Shinjuku. From Okutama station, you’ll be able to resume by bus or continue on the JR Ome line to most destinations I mentioned below.
Where to stay in Okutama
Satologue – A well known 3-star resort located between Hatonotsu and Kori station on the JR line.
Hikawa Camping – We stayed at a mountain lodge within Hikawa. It was a large lodge that can fit up to 6 people (maybe more), with a kitchen and a dedicated shower and toilet. The lodge is spacious yet very basic, and it wasn’t really cheap at around 35,000 yen. Hikawa does have other more affordable accommodations but you will have to use the shared toilet and shower. Camping by the river is also possible here.
How to get around in Okutama
Nishi Tokyo Bus acts as the last mile transportation from Okutama station You can check the routes and timetable here – although it is in Japanese only, it can be easily translated to english.
Aside from the bus, the JR Ome line train will also help you get to many places. You’ll likely need to use a combination of both train and bus to get to most of the places I’ll be mentioning in the next section.
What to do in Okutama
Once you get to Okutama, here some ideas of things you can do there:
1. Okutama Mukashi Michi (ใใใ ใฟใก)
Okutama Mukashi Michi (literal translation: Okutama old road) is the most popular walking trail in Okutama. It is a 10km trail that ends at Lake Okutama. The first 7km is an easy flat walk, but the last 3km gets steep as you ascend up. The beginning of this trail can be easily accessed by foot from Okutama station.
To get back from Lake Okutama to Okutama station, you can take Nishi Tokyo bus if you don’t want to walk back again.
2. Lake Okutama and Ogouchi Dam
Ogouchi Dam is the water source for greater Tokyo area. To get to Lake Okutama, you can either walk the Okutama Mukashi Michi trail as I’ve described above, or you can take Nishi Tokyo bus 15 from Okutama station Platform 2. View the schedule here and look for the bus marked “ๆน” for the one that will go to Lake Okutama.
Here is what you can see at Lake Okutama:
1. Okutama Water and Green Museum
This is a small but interactive museum, located near the end of the old trail.
On the top floor, there is a simple cafe at the top where you can order the usual suspects: Japanese curry, udon, soba, etc. But my favorite is the Ogouchi dam curry, which is made to resemble the dam, complete with the line of buoy and the two observation towers!
2. Ogouchi Observation Tower
There are two observation towers on top of the dam, but only one of them is open to public. From this tower, you can observe the dam and how it regulates the water level in Tama river.
3. Nippara Limestone Cave
To get to Nippara limestone cave, you can take Nishi Tokyo bus 20 from Okutama Station Platform 1. This bus is only available on weekdays. View the schedule here and make sure you look at the bus marked “้” for the one that will go to the limestone cave.
This cave is one of the coolest things we did in Okutama. As soon as you enter the mouth of the cave, temperature drops a few degrees so be sure to bring a jacket. Some parts are pretty steep and can get slippery, so wear proper shoes with grip.
4. Shiromaru Dam Fish way (็ฝไธธใใ )
Shiromaru dam is known due to its “Fish ladder” feature, which allows fish in the river to swim upstream. While this is a somewhat common feature in rivers in Japan, the one in Shiromaru is the longest in Japan.
The fish ladder is open for public viewing from April to November on certain days (only Weekends and Japanese holidays). During Japanese school holiday period (Mid-July to August 31), it is open everyday.
Although we visited in September, we didn’t come on the right day so we weren’t able to see the fish ladder.
To get to Shiromaru Dam, you can aim for Hatonosu Station on JR Ome line. The dam is only 10 minutes walk from the train station.
6. Wasabi
Okutama is known for wasabi, so much that they’ve made a wasabi-shaped character called “Wasapi”. You’ll see him (her?) around a lot while in Okutama.
Near Okutama station, you can find Yamashiro Wasabi shop to buy various Wasabi products, including fresh, authentic Wasabi. I say “authentic” because most Wasabi you see in restaurants are fake – they’re likely a mixture of horseradish and mustard that has been dyed green. This is because real wasabi is difficult to grow, and thus expensive.
5. Kazuma Cutting Tunnel (ๆฐ้ฆฌใฎๅ้ใ)
What’s so special about a tunnel? Well, Kazuma cutting tunnel is unique because it was entirely hand-made through manual labor in the Edo period, using just pickaxe. Because of this, you can still see traces of patterns
This tunnel is about 10 minutes walk from Shiromaru Station on JR Ome line. I recommend visiting Earth Garden nearby for lunch as well.
6. Mount Mitake
Mount Mitake is a perfect place to get even higher elevation than Okutama.
To get to Mount Mitake, make a stop on the JR Ome line at Mitake station. Then take the bus to the Mitake Tozan Takimoto station (click here for schedule) or if you prefer to walk, it takes around 35 minutes. From there, you can take the ropeway up to Mitakesan Station.
Here’s what you can do at Mount Mitake:
1. Mitake Tozan Funicular
Unless you planned to walk all the way up from the train station, taking the funicular is not optional. This funicular is interesting because it is made of a single track that accommodates both directions. At halfway point, the cars going opposite direction might have to wait for each other to pass.
Once you go up to Mitakesan station, there is a view point where you can see Tokyo if weather allows.
2. Musashi Mitake Shrine
This shrine is quite a walk from the Mitakesan Station, but it’s very worth it! Take note that there will be plenty of stairs to climb once you get to the shrine, so it’s not exactly the most accessible route.
3. Rock Garden Trail
On your way up the Musashi Mitake Shrine, pay attention to signs for the rock garden trail.
7. Visit an Onsen (Hot Spring)
You can’t go to the mountain in Japan without visiting an onsen, and Okutama is no exception. Here are two onsens we visited during our trip:
1. Moegi no Yu Onsen
Tsurutsuru Onsen
First time visiting an Onsen? It might be intimidating at first, but going to an onsen is one of my favorite activities in Japan. Here is a post about onsen etiquette to help you.
8. Play by the Tama River
Where to eat in Okutama
1. Earth Garden, specializing in Japanese Hambaagu (Hamburger)
The closest station is Shiromaru station on JR Ome line, but it’s possible to walk here from Okutama station as well.
2. Kiriyama, a small shop specializing in Soba (Buckwheat noodles)
Kiriyama is about 12 minutes walk from Mitake station on JR Ome line. The shop only sells soba noodles. It’s not a big shop, but they have plenty of seatings.
And that’s all I have on Okutama! If you’ve used this travel guide or if you’re planning your trip to Tokyo or Okutama, please feel free to comment below with any questions. I will try to answer every comment.
Til next time.