Kulture Kaiwa

When the hustle and bustle of Tokyo is feeling like too much to bear, it’s nice to know that nature escapes are a mere train ride away. Tucked away in the Western corner of Tokyo prefecture sits the quiet district of Okutama – full of mountains, gorges, and trees galore, it’s the perfect place for a nature bathing day-trip.

An easy hike along the river

Okutama was a region of Tokyo that was high on my list of places to visit, purely for it’s beautiful mountains and serene hiking trails. Since I hadn’t been hiking for a while, I chose a simple route here to get back into the game. I opened my AllTrails app, typed in Okutama, and an easy-to-follow moderate hike popped up: Okutama Station – Hatonosu Gorge – Kori Station. Roughly 8km in length and winding along the Tama River, starting and ending at a train station with no back tracking, it was the perfect choice. Be prepared to spend at least 2.5 hours hiking this trail. I always plan for an extra 30-60 minutes because I’m a curious bugger and I love to explore little side paths and take lots of photos.

I recommend starting the hike at Okutama Station where you can make a toilet stop before starting the journey. It’s also a good idea to pop into the visitors centre just outside of the station where they have physical maps outlining the trail and the employees can advise you of any changes or things in the area to be aware of. The lovely women at the counter told us of the closed of section and highlighted a path for us to follow to get around it. We spoke in Japanese so I’m unsure of their English ability but with the help of maps and gestures/markings, I don’t think communication here will be an issue for English speakers.

How to get there

Okutama Station is just 2 hours away from Shinjuku Station on the red JR Chuo line. Simply jump on the Ome Special Rapid train to Ome Station then switch to the local train to Okutama Station. Alternatively, you can start at Kori Station and make your way down to Okutama Station. I think this option involves less uphill hiking but all-in-all is still relatively the same experience. I love this ease of this hike of getting off at one train station then hopping straight onto a train back at the end train station.

What to expect

While I loved exploring this area of Japan, it is important to note that this specific route does involve a fair chunk of walking along the side of the road and through neighbourhoods. I didn’t mind this since every minute still had beautiful views of towering mountains all around. We went in February of 2024 and there was a section of the trail closed due to maintenance which meant walking along a sketchy part of the mountain road through a tunnel. I actually didn’t mind this because I enjoy a bit of spontaneity and thrill and I was in good company but I could see how this might be upsetting for others. I believe the work on this section of path has been completed but recommend checking the comments section of the AllTrails page for regular updates before making the trip out there.

The mountainous sections of the trail that lead into the trees was magnificent. It was a chilly time of the year but the sun was shining through the towering branches and the sound of running water at every step was peaceful and relaxing. The paths are easy to follow with some signs warning of bears in the area, although a bear hadn’t been spotted there for some years. My favourite section of the trail was where the path reached an opening at the base of the river where you could step out onto the rocks and look up at the surrounding trees and passing trains by the bridge. Unfortunately, I don’t have the steadiest of feet and slipped into the shallow water on my way balk to the path and had to walk the remaining 2km in soaked shoes – not recommended in the colder months haha but it’s a fun memory to look back on.

Eating in the area

There are minimal options for eating out here so it’s best to either pack your own lunch/snacks and plenty of water to get you by. We did pass by a really cool looking cafe/restaurant called ‘Earth Garden’ along the trail that had nice looking food and gorgeous views of the river. If I was to go again I would factor a stop here into the schedule. There’s a convenience store located at either end of the trail (Times Mart near Okutama Station and 7/11 near Kori Station). I have an insane fear of bears so I try to avoid carrying food in my pack while hiking if I can. In this case I brought food with me as I was unsure of the options around but in hindsight I’d rather just eat first, complete the trail, and have a satisfying conbini run at the end (which we did anyway). The Times Mart does close in the evenings at around 7pm, another reason I recommend saving Kori Station as your end point as the 7/11 is a more reliable option for being open if you need it.

Best time to visit

The best time for hiking anywhere in Japan in my opinion is during Autumn when the mountains are painted with gorgeous hues of orange, red and yellow. From what I’ve read, this trail can get busy during the Autumn period for this reason so if you’re not a fan of crowds then February was also a nice time to visit. It was quite chilly but you could still see some lingering snow on the mountain tops and if you’re equipped with the little カイロ kairo heat packs like I was, then you’ll get by just fine. Summer can be god-awful hot and Spring is prime time for bears to be out and about so I personally wouldn’t choose those times of year but I’m sure the Spring time would offer some lovely florals too.

Walking some sections of this hike felt like stepping back through time. We came across an old abandoned jeep, dilapidated ryokans and houses with retro junk and buses outside. There was a surprisingly peaceful feel to this area stained with past lives and it was a cool change from the overstimulating, lively streets of the city.