Is this traverse suitable for beginners?

At 15km with 7-8 hours of hiking and significant elevation gain, this route is too demanding for beginners. We recommend first hiking Mt. Mitake or Mt. Ōtake individually. This traverse is designed for intermediate hikers comfortable with 6+ hours of continuous walking.

How steep is the climb to Mt. Gozenzan?

The ascent from Okutama Lake gains about 700m, with the steepest sections after Ō-dawa. The first half to Ō-dawa is moderate, but from there to the summit the gradient increases significantly. Trekking poles are helpful for this section.

Are there water sources or escape routes?

There are no reliable water sources on the trail, so carry at least 2L. Escape routes include descending from Ō-dawa toward Okutama Station, from Nabewari-yama junction to Okutama Station, or from Mt. Ōtake to Shirakura bus stop.

Okutama Three Peaks Traverse — Mt. Gozen, Mt. Ōtake & Mt. Mitake in One Day

Route Overview

The Okutama Three Peaks refer to Mt. Gozenzan (1,405m), Mt. Ōtake (1,266m), and Mt. Mitake (929m) — three of Tokyo’s most prominent mountains. Traversing all three from Okutama Lake to Mitake Station in a single day is one of the finest ridge walks in the Okutama region.

The 15km route takes 7-8 hours and is suited for intermediate hikers. It delivers a diverse experience: the steep climb to Mt. Gozenzan (famous for its katakuri lily colonies in April), the rocky summit of Mt. Ōtake with its Fuji views, and the historic Musashi-Mitake Shrine atop Mt. Mitake. The descent via cable car adds a convenient finish.

From spring wildflowers to summer greenery and autumn foliage, the three-season route showcases Okutama’s varied natural beauty.

Itinerary

Time	Section	Duration	Notes
7:00	Depart Okutama Station	—	Take bus
7:15	Okutama Lake Bus Stop	15 min	Head toward Ogouchi Dam
7:25	Sasuzawayama Trailhead	10 min	Climb begins
8:35	Mt. Sōgaku (1,348m)	70 min	Continuous steep climb
9:00	Mt. Gozenzan (1,405m)	25 min	Highest of the three peaks. Katakuri lilies in spring
9:40	Nabewari-yama junction	25 min	Escape route available
10:10	Ō-dawa	30 min	Escape route available
11:00	Mt. Nokogiri (1,109m)	50 min	Rocky sections — use caution
12:00	Mt. Ōtake (1,266m)	50 min	Rocky summit. Mt. Fuji views
12:50	Akubadōge	30 min	—
13:20	Oku-no-In	30 min	Chain section — steep
13:50	Mt. Mitake (929m)	20 min	Musashi-Mitake Shrine
14:10	Mitake Cable Car Station	20 min	Cable car descent
14:40	Takimoto Station → Mitake Station	~20 min	Bus to Mitake Station

Tip: Have lunch at Mt. Ōtake summit. The views of Mt. Fuji and the surrounding Okutama mountains make it the best lunch spot on the route.

Access Information

Start: Okutama Station to Okutama Lake

Detail	Info
Line	JR Ōme Line
From Shinjuku	~1 hour 50 min (Chuo Rapid → Ōme Line)
Bus	Nishi-Tokyo Bus toward Okutama Lake (~15 min)

Goal: Mitake Station

Cable car from Mt. Mitake to Takimoto Station (6 min)
Nishi-Tokyo Bus from Takimoto to Mitake Station (~10 min)
JR Ōme Line from Mitake Station toward Shinjuku

Reminder: Check the last cable car departure time. Winter hours end earlier.

Trailhead Facilities

Near Okutama Station (Start)

7-Eleven Okutama Ekimae: 1-minute walk from the station. Trail snacks and drinks
Okutama Visitor Center: Hiking information available (3-minute walk from station)
Restrooms: Inside the station and at Okutama Lake bus stop

Near Mitake Station (Goal)

Moegi-no-Yu: 10-minute walk from Mitake Station. Riverside onsen (950 yen for adults)
Convenience stores: None near Mitake Station — buy supplies at Okutama Station
Restrooms: Inside the station and at cable car stations

On the Route

Mt. Mitake village: Several lodges and shops at the summit. Drinks available for purchase
Restrooms: Near Gozenzan emergency shelter, former Ōtake-sansō (check availability), and Mt. Mitake village

Highlights

Katakuri Lily Colonies on Mt. Gozenzan

Mt. Gozenzan is known as the “Katakuri Mountain.” In mid to late April, pink-purple katakuri lilies carpet the slopes near the summit. These delicate spring ephemerals blanketing the mountainside are one of Okutama’s most beloved seasonal sights.

Rocky Summit of Mt. Ōtake

Mt. Ōtake’s distinctive sharp, triangular profile translates to an exciting rocky approach near the summit. The summit itself offers panoramic views including Mt. Fuji, the Tanzawa range, and the Okutama mountains — one of the best viewpoints in the region.

Mt. Mitake and Musashi-Mitake Shrine

The final peak on the traverse, Mt. Mitake has been a sacred mountain for nearly 2,000 years. Musashi-Mitake Shrine at the summit is particularly famous for pet blessings (especially dogs). The cable car descent saves your tired legs for a comfortable finish.

Ridge Views of the Okutama Forests

The ridge between Mt. Gozenzan and Mt. Ōtake traverses deep forest and valleys, offering beautiful views of Okutama’s wilderness. Autumn foliage in late October through November transforms the mountainsides into a patchwork of red, orange, and gold.

Cautions

Long day: At 7-8 hours, an early start is essential. Use the first train to Okutama Station
Steep ascent to Mt. Gozenzan: The climb from Okutama Lake is physically demanding. Do not push the pace too hard in the first hour
Rocky terrain at Mt. Nokogiri: Rock sections and chain-assisted passages near Nokogiri-yama require careful footing, especially when wet
Water supply: No reliable water sources on the trail. Carry at least 2L
Cable car last departure: Plan to reach the Mt. Mitake cable car station before the last car. If you miss it, walk down to Takimoto Station (about 1 hour)
Escape routes: If fatigued, the safest escape is descending from Ō-dawa toward Okutama Station
Winter: Icy patches can form — carry light crampons. Shorter daylight hours require an even earlier departure