A WHOLESOME HIKING DAY FROM TOKYO: MT MITAKE TO MT ODAKE
One of my favorite things about living in Tokyo is how easy it is to escape into nature for the day. Back in March, I did the Mt Mitake & Mt Odake hike and honestly… it was the perfect mix of forest walks, mountain views, slight survival instincts, and ending the day in an onsen.
I was also lucky to see Mt Fuji when I reached the Mt Odake summit! You need to start early for a higher chance to see it (I left around 6am from Nakano).
If you’re looking for a Tokyo day trip that feels properly immersive without needing a car, this one is such a good option. Some of my other favorite day trips reachable by train are Kamakura or Odawara.
How to get tO MT MITAKE from Tokyo
I left from Nakano and took:
Chuo Line from Nakano to Ome (~1h10)
Then Ome to Mitake Station (~18 min)
Once you arrive at Mitake Station, I highly recommend taking the bus to the Mitake ropeway instead of walking.
I had read online about a “beautiful riverside walk” from the station, so I decided to try it. Reality check: the river part lasts maybe 5 minutes, and after that it’s basically just walking up a steep road with cars and buses passing by. Not even an actual hiking path.
At one point I literally gave up and hopped onto the bus a few stops after the station — the exact same bus I had initially decided not to take. Learn from my mistakes 😂
The ropeway is actually part of the experience
The cable car up Mt Mitake is super cute and already makes the day feel like an adventure. Even better: you can pay with your SUICA card.
Once you get to the top, the atmosphere changes immediately. Small mountain village vibes, fresh air, giant cedar trees… it already feels very far from Tokyo.
The walk to Musashi-Mitake Shrine is really pleasant and easy.
Don’t miss the turn to Mt Odake
When you climb the stairs up to the temple, keep an eye out for a sign pointing left toward Mt Odake.
That’s the route I took.
I chose the longer trail through the Rock Garden, and I’m very glad I did because it was probably the prettiest part of the hike. Mossy rocks, streams, forest bridges, tiny waterfalls — very Studio Ghibli energy.
It’s peaceful without being too difficult.
Reaching Mt Odake was also the moment I finally got an amazing view of Mt Fuji 🗻
Seeing it appear in the distance after hiking through the forest for hours honestly felt so rewarding. One of those moments where everyone suddenly stops talking and just stares for a minute.
Continuing all the way to Okutama
After reaching Mt Odake, I decided not to turn back and instead continue the trail all the way toward Okutama.
The scenery stays beautiful, but one thing to know: there are WAY fewer people on this section.
And by fewer, I mean… almost nobody.
Which is exactly when my brain started thinking about bears.
In Japan, a lot of hikers wear little bear bells to scare them away. But then I remembered reading a story about someone who still got attacked by a bear while wearing the bell, which honestly did not help my anxiety levels.
Since I was hiking alone, I ended up trying to stay within sight of another hiker for safety just in case something happened.
Unfortunately there was basically no one else around 😂
So if you do this route solo, just be aware that the second half feels much more remote than the Mt Mitake area.
The absolute best ending: Moegi no Yu Onsen
The reward at the end made everything worth it.
Once in Okutama, I went straight to Moegi no Yu Onsen, and it was PERFECT after the hike.
Pro tip: I always carry a small onsen towel in my backpack when hiking in Japan because there’s honestly a high probability that the day will end in an onsen.
Sitting in an outdoor bath surrounded by forest after hours of hiking was such a wholesome feeling. I also stayed for a meal afterward and ate while looking out over the trees before taking the train back to Tokyo.
Honestly one of those days that makes you feel incredibly grateful to live in Japan.
If you want more ideas of things to do in Tokyo, check out 4 unique off-the-beaten-path experiences.
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Yes, absolutely. I did it as a full day trip from Tokyo starting from Nakano. The train ride is easy and the whole experience feels like a real nature escape without needing a car. I left early for a higher chance of seeing Mt Fuji.
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Yes — on a clear day, you can get beautiful views of Mt Fuji from around Mt Odake. I got lucky with the weather and seeing Fuji was definitely one of the highlights of the hike.
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I left Nakano around 6am and I think it was perfect. It gave me enough time to do the full hike to Okutama, enjoy the onsen afterward, and still get back to Tokyo at a reasonable time.
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From Nakano, I took:
Chuo Line to Ome (~1h10)
Ome Line from Ome to Mitake Station (~18 min)
From Mitake Station, I recommend taking the bus to the ropeway.
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Personally… no 😅
I had read about a nice riverside walk, but the river section is very short and most of the route is just walking uphill on a steep road where buses drive anyway. I ended up taking the bus after a few stops.
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Yes! You can use your SUICA card for the ropeway, which makes everything super convenient.
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Definitely. I chose the longer route through the Rock Garden on the way to Mt Odake and it was one of the prettiest parts of the hike. Expect streams, mossy rocks, forest paths, and small waterfalls.
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I’d say moderate. The first part around Mt Mitake is quite accessible, although it’s quite steep. Continuing toward Mt Odake and then down to Okutama becomes much quieter but not difficult.
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There are bear warning signs starting right outside Mitake Station. Many Japanese hikers wear bear bells to make noise while hiking.
I personally got a bit nervous during the quieter section after Mt Odake because there were very few hikers around.
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Yes, but if you continue all the way toward Okutama, be aware that some sections feel remote. If hiking solo, I’d recommend starting early and staying aware of your surroundings.
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I highly recommend Moegi no Yu Onsen in Okutama. The outdoor bath surrounded by forest was the perfect reward after the hike, and there’s also a restaurant with beautiful views
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