Mitake and Odake (Tokyo)

Mitakesan to Odakesan to Okutama is a nice dayhike from Tokyo easily reachable by public transportation. It's a bit more challenging than other hikes in the area, has scenic views from Odake and ends in Okutama with a beautiful blue river and an Onsen.

	
⏲︎	Time: 6h
✎	Kanji: 御岳山&大岳山
⚲ 	Location: Tokyo
↔	Distance: 11.5km
✮	Difficulty: Easy
ᨒ	Elevation Gain: 860m
☀	Dayhike
☉	Hiking Season: March
	to December

Access

Take the orange JR Chuo Line to Ome station and then transfer to the JR Ome Line to Mitake station. Cost is 945Y.

Depending on which train you take you might also have to transfer at Tachikawa.

Once you get to Mitake station take the bus to Mitake ropeway/Takimoto cable car station. It costs 338Y and takes 10min. The departure times are on google maps.

The ropeway costs 600Y one-way. First one is at 7:30.

If you come by car you can park at the ropeway or a bit lower.

Trail description

Start from the top of the ropeway and make a quick detour to the Mitake Shrine. After that follow the signs for "Mitake Rock Garden". You'll pass a little waterfall and follow a small stream up. Since there are a lot of signs and trails it can be a bit confusing and I recommend downloading Yamap and the offline map for the mountain (Mitake,yama, Tokyo).

Follow the signs for Odake and just before getting to the peak you'll get to an old hut and toilets. The trail has a couple of steeper sections and some chains but its generally easy. From the peak you can either turn back or continue down to Okutama. This will add about 3h walking time. I really enjoyed this section as there was barely any people and there are a couple of little ladders and lots of roots to climb up and down with.

At the end of the trail you'll get out at old pagoda and a reeeally long staircase. Now you have the option to make a small detour to an Onsen or head straight back to Tokyo. I always love a bath after hiking so I stopped by. Bring a towel and a change of clothes.