Quickly becoming one of the most popular Tokyo day-trip destinations, Okutama is a nature-lover’s paradise 90 minutes from Shinjuku. From breathtaking canyons to ancient shrines, the area has a lot to offer. It’s difficult to squeeze everything into a single day — that’s why we recommend turning it into an overnight trip. Here’s the best way to do that.
Not sure about overnighting? Although it is possible to explore Okutama as a day trip, you may find it rushed, given how irregular the local trains are, and how far it is between the various places of interest. Going on an overnight trip means you can take things at a slower pace, while seeing more of what the area has to offer.
Note: This itinerary is based on our own one-night, two-day trip to Okutama, in late July — though it is beautiful in all seasons.
How to get to Okutama
Shinjuku Station to Okutama Station¥1,100
Roughly 1 hour 45 minutes
The fastest way to get there is to take the JR Chuo Line special rapid express, or otherwise just the rapid express, from Shinjuku to Ōme Station. To make the most out of your first day in Okutama, we recommend taking the 8:10 a.m. train from Shinjuku. This will get you to Okutama just after 10:00 a.m.
For this specific itinerary, we will be starting at Okutama Station and working back towards Ōme Station. This means that you will first need to hop on the local Ōme Line to Okutama Station, which will take roughly 35 minutes. The overall journey to this point costs ¥1,100.
Similar to other rural areas, it is often more convenient to take a car and drive around. It takes around 2 hours to drive to the Okutama area from Shinjuku. Simply take the Chuo and Ken-Ō expressways and National Route 411. Luckily, there are quite a few free public parking spots.
Day 1: Lakes, Hatonosu Canyon, and the sake brewery
Morning: Hikawa Gorge
Ōme Station to Okutama Station¥320
35 minutes
Once you arrive at Okutama Station, it is a short 4-minute walk down some rocky steps to the first stop — Hikawa Gorge. This scenic spot is particularly popular with locals and Tokyoites who want a peaceful place to set up a barbecue and day camp.
Caution: Although some people do take a dip in the river, it is not advised, as the current can be quite strong.
Pro tip: If you fancy camping overnight, Hikawa Campsite is a great place to do so. The general Okutama area has a few other notable camping sites, too.
Morning: Hatonosu Canyon
Okutama Station to Hatonosu Station¥170
6 minutes
After admiring one picturesque view, it is time to see another. Take the short 6-minute train ride from Okutama Station to Hatonosu Station. When you arrive, walk 3 minutes down to Hatonosu Canyon. You will know when you are there, as it is a sight to behold — a lush green valley bisected by the flowing Tama River.
To get to the best viewpoint of Hatonosu Canyon, you will need to continue walking past Gallery Poppo instead of going across the main bridge. Eventually, you will see a small waterfall and a torii gate. From there, walk up the steps, and you will see a small Shinto shrine and a panoramic view.
Midday: Lunch at Yamabato
Hatonosu Station¥1,100–¥2,000
4-minute walk
At this point, you will probably start feeling hungry. Fortunately, there are a few different cafés in the area, including Yamabato, a small family-run place next to the station. Yamabato serves a mix of hot meals, sandwiches, desserts, and drinks. On our visit, we tried one of the most popular items on the menu; the hashed beef rice. This can be ordered with a drink for a reasonable ¥1,080.
Afternoon: Sawanoi Ozawa Brewery tour
Hatonosu Station to Sawai Station¥180
15 minutes
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From Hatonosu Station, jump back onto the Ōme Line and take the 16-minute train ride to Sawai Station. It is then a short 5-minute walk to the final activity of the day — a tour of the Sawanoi Ozawa Brewery.
Founded in 1702, this sake brewery is the oldest in Tokyo and offers free 30-minute tours, which you need to book in advance online. An employee takes you inside the brewery while giving insights into the company’s history and brewing process. Although the tour is in Japanese, an English pamphlet is available.
Following the tour, you are invited to try some local sake in the sake-tasting room. There are 10 types to choose from, with the price of a cup varying between ¥300 and ¥600. It is the perfect place to sit back, relax, and take in the views of the Japanese-style garden and river. On site, there are also a few restaurants, souvenir shops, and two mini art museums.
Evening: Stay at Kamenoi Hotel Ōme
After a packed first day, it is time to relax and recharge at a local hotel. Our accommodation of choice is the Kamenoi Hotel Ōme, an affordable hotel and ryokan with excellent facilities. With its onsen, spacious rooms, and delightful dinner service, it is the perfect place to rest your head before your second day in Okutama.
Note: We were not paid to write about Kamenoi — we just really liked it.
Day 2: Canyoning, rafting, and shrines
Canyoning (summer)
If you’re looking for an adrenaline-fueled adventure in the summer months, you’re in the right place. Okutama is known as one of the best places for adventure activities like canyoning and rafting.
Canyons Japan is one of the most reputable adventure companies in the area, known for its high-quality services and safety measures. There is a whole list of tours to choose from, all varying in difficulty. Prices start from around ¥7,500 to ¥10,500.
The base for Canyons Japan is located in Kawai; however, as part of your package, a staff member can pick you up from Mitake Station. Once there, it’s time to gear up and change into a wetsuit, ready for the first activity of the day: canyoning.
We participated in a beginner canyoning tour that lasted approximately 2.5 hours. The course included waterfall slides, rock jumping, and a zip-line across three waterfalls.
Note: If you feel nervous at any point, the guide can adjust the tour. Also note that tour availability varies by time of year.
For those who sign up for both a morning and afternoon tour, Canyons will provide lunch at the on-site Awa Café. We opted for the vegan coconut curry, which was super filling and kept us fueled for the final activity of the day.
Pack rafting (summer to early fall)
Now onto pack rafting. Although Canyons also offers group rafting, we chose to experience the thrills of individual rafting. Similar to canyoning, there are different levels to choose from. We tested out the beginner course.
The course has a mix of gentle and more intense rapids to get the heart racing. Besides the rapids, one of the highlights is seeing wild animals while going down the stream. You may even get to see a kamoshika — the Japanese serow.
Pro tip: Paddling by yourself requires a lot of energy and strength, so we recommend asking your guide for small breaks.
Note: Canyons Japan supplies the wetsuit and safety equipment; however, you will need to bring your own swimsuit and towel.
Alternative: Musashi Mitake Shrine
Ōme Station to Mitake Station¥180
17 minutes
If it’s the cold season, or you are just looking for a more low-key activity, a great alternative is to go to Musashi Mitake Shrine. For those staying at Kamenoi Hotel Ōme, you can catch the train from Ōme Station and go back to Mitake Station. From there, take the local bus, which goes to Mitake Tozan Railway Takimoto Station.
Although many people choose to hike up Mount Mitake and to the shrine itself, if you are short on time, it is easier to take the cable car up. Costing ¥1,200 for an adult round-trip ticket and ¥600 for a child, the cable car only takes 6 minutes to get to the top of the mountain.
When you have reached the top, you will walk another 20 minutes or so to get to the actual shrine. Despite being a simple course, much of it is uphill, so wear sensible shoes. Along the way, there are a few restaurants, ryokan, and rest stops.
Often called “the shrine in the sky”, Musashi Mitake Shrine is a Shinto shrine that is believed to grant those who visit good luck in childbirth and marriage. Many dog owners and their dogs also make the trip up to this shrine, because it is home to a Japanese wolf deity.
Note: Before going up to Mount Mitake, make sure to double-check the times for the cable car and bus back to Mitake Station, as both are fairly infrequent.
Returning to Tokyo
Regardless of which activity you choose, we recommend getting back to Ōme Station somewhere between 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. This is mostly because there are a limited number of trains heading towards Tokyo, and the journey back to Shinjuku takes around 1-2 hours.
Is an overnight trip to Okutama worth it?
An overnight trip to Okutama is definitely worth it — the area has so much to offer for both adventure seekers and those who want a peaceful escape into nature. Although you can do a day trip, for the most enjoyable experience we would recommend staying at least one night.
While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change.
