Mount Mitake (御岳山, Mitakesan) is one of the many highlights of the Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park, which covers more than 1250 square kilometers of forested mountains, hills, gorges and some rural towns in the prefectures of Yamanashi, Saitama, Nagano and Tokyo.

Besides a popular shrine, Mount Mitake offers hiking opportunities in virtually unspoiled nature. Located in the Okutama region, the westernmost part of Tokyo, the mountain can be reached in less than two hours from central Tokyo, making it a popular escape from the city.

From the upper station of the Mitake Cablecar it is a 20-30 minute walk to the Musashi-Mitake Shrine on the mountain's summit (929 meters). On your way, you will pass a small village with many Japanese style inns and souvenir shops, which have been catering to visitors and pilgrims to Mount Mitake for centuries. It is believed that Musashi-Mitake Shrine has been serving as a center of mountain worship for almost 2000 years.

From the shrine, you have hiking options to neighboring peaks and valleys. Among the most beautiful destinations is the so called "Rock Garden", which, in fact, is a narrow, forested valley with a picturesque stream, lots of moss-covered stones and two nearby waterfalls. It takes less than an hour to reach the valley from the shrine.

If you want to walk some more, it is another 40-60 minutes from the Rock Garden to the peak of Mount Otake (1267 meters), from where you can enjoy nice views of the surrounding forest-covered mountains on clear days. Some passages are quite steep but do not require any advanced mountaineering tools. Sturdy shoes, however, are recommended.

Detailed hiking maps of the extensive trail network of the Okutama region are available at the Mitake Visitor Center located halfway between the upper cablecar station and the shrine.

Because Mount Mitake has been and still is a popular destination for pilgrims, there are many lodgings in the village, minshuku in particular, that serve pilgrims as well as regular tourists. Meals are simple and traditional, consisting mainly of locally sourced vegetables, although most also offer fish and meat today.

Rooms are usually traditional-style tatami rooms, and bathing facilities are shared. Some lodgings also offer excursions to experience takigyo, a centuries old ascetic practice of standing or sitting in meditation beneath a waterfall.

Getting there and around

From central Tokyo (e.g. Shinjuku or Tokyo Station) take the frequently departing, orange JR Chuo Line to Ome Station (75 minutes from Shinjuku). A few trains go all the way to Ome. Otherwise, a transfer of trains is required at Tachikawa (40 minutes from Shinjuku).

At Ome Station, change to another orange train on the JR Ome Line (usually waiting on the opposite platform of the arriving train) and ride as far as Mitake Station (20 minutes). The whole trip from Shinjuku to JR Mitake Station costs 950 yen one way and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and Tokyo Wide Pass.

Once at Mitake Station, take the bus to the lower station of the Mitake cablecar (10 minutes, 340 yen one way, about 2 buses/hour) or walk there in about 40 minutes. The cablecar lifts you to close to the summit of Mount Mitake (1130 yen roundtrip, 2-3 departures/hour).

Orientation in Tokyo

Hotels around Tokyo

Top rated in Tokyo
Budget:
    • Mokkoan
      Budget-friendly
      Featuring free WiFi and a hot tub, Mokkoan offers accommodation in Kita Ward, Tokyo. Private parking is available on site. Every room comes with a flat-screen TV with cable channels. Certain units have a seating area where you can relax. For your comfort, you will find slippers and free toiletries. You will find a shared kitchen at the property. The guest house also offers free use of bicycles. Yokohama is 37 km from Mokkoan, while Chiba is 41 km away. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda International Airport, 24 km from Mokkoan.
      View on Booking.com
      9.9Booking.com
    • 7 Rooms Hotel & Cafe
      Budget-friendly
      Conveniently set in the Edogawa district of Tokyo, 7 Rooms Hotel & Cafe is situated 1.3 km from Furukawa Shinsui Park, 1.5 km from Gyosen Park and 1.6 km from Ukita Park. The 2-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is located 700 metres from Subway Museum. The rooms in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. All units will provide guests with a fridge. Shin Nagashima River Shinsui Park is 1.7 km from 7 Rooms Hotel & Cafe, while Former House of Udagawa Family is 2.6 km away. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 22 km from the accommodation.
      View on Booking.com
      9.7Booking.com
    • cyashitsu ryokan asakusa
      Mid-range
      Situated in Tokyo, 300 metres from Asakusa Fujiasama Shrine and 7.5 km from the centre, cyashitsu ryokan asakusa features air-conditioned accommodation with free WiFi, and an open-air bath. This 3-star ryokan offers a lift and full-day security. The ryokan has a hot tub and luggage storage space. At the ryokan, the units come with a wardrobe. Each unit has a safety deposit box and some rooms include city views. The units are equipped with heating facilities. At the ryokan, the family-friendly restaurant is open for dinner and specialises in Japanese cuisine. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Popular points of interest near cyashitsu ryokan asakusa include Nitenmon Gate, Edo Taito Traditional Crafts Center and Hozomon Gate. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 24 km from the accommodation.
      View on Booking.com
      9.6Booking.com
    • Kaminarimon Ryokan
      Luxury
      Kaminarimon Ryokan offers accommodation with free WiFi. The rooms are air-conditioned and come with a flat-screen TV, fridge and Nespresso coffee machine. An electric kettle, a green tea set and free toiletries are provided. The hotel offers laundry service for an additional fee. Kaminarimon Ryokan is a 2-minute walk to the Asakusa Metro Station. From there, destinations like Akihabara, Ginza and Ueno are a 15-minute subway ride away. There are many dining options and convenience stores within a few minutes' walk from the hotel.
      View on Booking.com
      9.6Booking.com
    • Ryokan Nakadaya
      Budget-friendly
      Situated in Tokyo, within 1.5 km of Sensoji Temple and 2.2 km of Tokyo Skytree, Ryokan Nakadaya offers accommodation with a shared lounge. The property is set 3.5 km from Edo Tokyo Museum, 6 km from Marunouchi Building and 6 km from Yasukuni Shrine. Free WiFi is available. The units in the inn are equipped with a flat-screen TV. Each room is equipped with a shared bathroom. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda International Airport, 19 km from the property.
      View on Booking.com
      9.6Booking.com
    • The Okura Tokyo
      Luxury
      Composed of 2 buildings, The Okura Tokyo boasts a garden and bar. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi. The accommodation features a concierge, ticket service and currency exchange for guests. All rooms are fitted with air conditioning, a fridge, kettle and flat-screen TV with satellite channels. All guest rooms have a private bathroom with a bath, hairdryer, bidet and free toiletries. Located on 28-40 floors, Prestige Tower offers rooms with cityscape views. Guests booking room type with Club Lounge Access in Heritage Wing can enjoy Club Lounge. Spacious rooms in Heritage Wing include complimentary welcome drink, steam sauna and spa bath. Guests at the hotel can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Popular points of interest near The Okura Tokyo include Iino Hall and Conference Centre, National Diet Building and Space FS Shiodome. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda International, 22 km from the hotel, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
      View on Booking.com
      9.5Booking.com
    • ulu Tokyo
      Luxury
      Attractively located in the Koto Ward district of Tokyo, ulu Tokyo is set 500 metres from Shibusawa Eiichi Taku Monument, 700 metres from Site of Mutsu Munemitsu Residence and 500 metres from Shinkawa Historic Place Monument. The 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is situated 700 metres from Monument of Electric Experiment at Hiraga Gennai. The rooms at the hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV and a kitchen. Ulu Tokyo features some rooms with city views, and all rooms are equipped with a balcony. At the accommodation rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near ulu Tokyo include Masago Monument, Bank of Japan Origin Place Monument and Takao Inari Shrine. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 17 km from the hotel.
      View on Booking.com
      9.5Booking.com
    • ENT TERRACE AKIHABARA
      Budget-friendly
      Ideally situated in the centre of Tokyo, ENT TERRACE AKIHABARA is within 400 metres of Origami Kaikan and 500 metres of TKP Garden City Premium Akihabara. The property is close to several well-known attractions, 500 metres from Yushima Seido, 400 metres from EDO Culture Complex and 500 metres from Ochanomizu Park. The accommodation features a 24-hour front desk, a shuttle service, room service and free WiFi throughout the property. All rooms in the hotel are fitted with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a kitchen, a dining area, a safety deposit box and a private bathroom with a bidet, free toiletries and a hairdryer. At ENT TERRACE AKIHABARA the rooms include bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Kamezumiinari Shrine, Akihabara Neribei Park and Yushima Goryo Shrine. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 21 km from ENT TERRACE AKIHABARA.
      View on Booking.com
      9.5Booking.com
    • Hotel Gajoen Tokyo
      Luxury
      Boasting chic decor with touches of Japanese traditional aethetics, Hotel Gajoen Tokyo is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. 7 dining options are featured, and free parking is available on site. JR Meguro Station is 6 minutes on foot and Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum is a 12-minute stroll. Free WiFi is provided throughout. All spacious rooms rooms include a satellite TV with cable channels, minibar, a coffee machine and handy smartphone. An en suite bathroom is fitted with a spa bath, free toiletries and hairdryer. For your comfort, some rooms include a sauna. Guests can unwind in a Japanese-style garden or at a library on site The front desk is open for 24 hours a day, and there are a pastry shop and gift shop at the property. Massage services and room services can be arranged. Shunyuki serves signature Chinese delicacies, while Tofutei offers an authentic Japanese kaiseki multi-course meal. Teppanyaki Japanese wagyu beed, American-style grilled dishes and Italian cuisine can be sampled on site. Live piano performance can also be enjoyed at an on-site cafe lounge in the day time. JR Shibuya Station is a 5-minute train ride, while JR Shinagawa Station is 8 minutes by train from Hotel Gajoen Tokyo. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda International Airport, 10 km away.
      View on Booking.com
      9.5Booking.com
    • Tokyo Hikari Guesthouse
      Budget-friendly
      The cosy Tokyo Hikari Guesthouse offers private rooms and dorm beds, only a 1-minute walk from Kuramae Subway Station. It also features a shared lounge with WiFi/wired internet, tea and cooking facilities, all for free. A washing machine with detergent can be used free of charge. Rooms are air-conditioned and come with extra-long beds. Linens are changed every 3 nights. Bathrooms and toilets are shared, a shared hairdryer is provided free of charge and bath towels are available with an extra charge. Open from October 2014, Tokyo Hikari has a small, sunny garden. Luggage storage is available. Guesthouse Tokyo Hikari is a 15-minute walk from Asakusa.
      View on Booking.com
      9.5Booking.com

Experiences around Tokyo

Top rated in Tokyo