Is Mt. Otake suitable for beginners?

It's a step up from beginner trails. The path from the cable car to Mt. Mitake is easy, but the traverse to Mt. Otake involves chain-assisted rock sections and steep climbs that require proper hiking boots and some experience. We recommend tackling a few easier mountains first.

Can I hike Mt. Mitake and Mt. Otake in one day?

Yes, it's a comfortable day trip. Starting from Mitake Station around 8 AM, taking the cable car up, and doing the round trip to Mt. Otake takes about 5 hours of walking (6 hours with breaks). Add an extra hour or two if you want to include the Rock Garden on Mt. Mitake.

Are the chain sections dangerous?

The chain sections on Mt. Otake are short and manageable if you maintain three points of contact. However, the rocks become slippery in rain, so extra caution is needed in wet conditions. Gloves are helpful for a better grip on the chains.

Mt. Otake (1,266m) — Ridge Traverse from Mt. Mitake to Okutama's Sharp Peak

Trail Overview

Mt. Otake (大岳山, Otake-san) stands at 1,266m on the border of Hinohara Village and Okutama Town in western Tokyo. It is one of Okutama’s Three Famous Peaks (奥多摩三山, Okutama Sanzan), alongside Mt. Gozen and Mt. Mito. Its distinctive triangular silhouette makes it instantly recognizable from across the Okutama region.

The most popular route uses the Mitake cable car to reach 830m, then traverses through Mt. Mitake and along a forested ridgeline to the summit. The trail transforms from a paved pilgrim road into genuine mountain terrain with rocky scrambles and chain-assisted sections — delivering a satisfying challenge without requiring advanced mountaineering skills. On clear days, Mt. Fuji is visible from the summit, along with sweeping views of the Tanzawa and Okutama ranges.

Listed among Japan’s 200 Famous Mountains, Mt. Otake is a favorite for hikers looking to progress beyond beginner trails while staying within easy reach of central Tokyo.

Recommended Route

From the Mitake cable car upper station, pass through Musashi Mitake Shrine, traverse over Oku-no-in and Nabewari-yama, and reach the Mt. Otake summit. Return the same way (out-and-back).

Course Time

Section	Duration
Mitake Station → Takimoto Station (bus)	10 min
Takimoto Station → Mitakesanyama Station (cable car)	6 min
Cable car station → Musashi Mitake Shrine	25 min
Musashi Mitake Shrine → Oku-no-in	40 min
Oku-no-in → Nabewari-yama Junction	25 min
Nabewari-yama Junction → Otake Shrine	40 min
Otake Shrine → Mt. Otake Summit	20 min
Ascent total	About 2 hours 45 min (excluding breaks)
Mt. Otake Summit → Otake Shrine	15 min
Otake Shrine → Nabewari-yama Junction	30 min
Nabewari-yama Junction → Cable car station	60 min
Descent total	About 1 hour 45 min (excluding breaks)
Round trip total	About 4.5–5 hours (excluding breaks)

Tip: The Oku-no-in route involves a steep climb. An alternative is to take the traverse path via the Tengu-no-koshikake Cedar, bypassing Nabewari-yama. Choose based on your fitness level.

Highlights

Summit Panorama

The Mt. Otake summit is an open clearing with impressive views of Mt. Fuji on clear days. The Tanzawa range stretches to the south, the Okutama peaks of Mt. Gozen and Mt. Mito spread to the west, and the Kanto Plain extends eastward — nearly a 360-degree panorama.

Chain Sections & Rock Scrambles

Between Otake Shrine and the summit, you’ll encounter short but exciting chain-assisted sections and rock scrambles. Using three points of contact, these are manageable for anyone with basic hiking experience and add genuine mountain character to the route.

Oku-no-in (Inner Sanctuary)

A subpeak at roughly 1,077m along the traverse route, housing a small shrine dedicated to Yamato Takeru, a legendary Japanese prince. The area is wrapped in dense forest with a serene, almost mystical atmosphere.

Otake Shrine

A compact mountain shrine just below the summit, guarded by distinctive stone wolf statues (komainu) instead of the usual lion-dogs. This reflects the wolf worship tradition shared with Musashi Mitake Shrine — a unique feature of the Okutama mountains.

Trailhead Facilities

Convenience Stores & Shops

Facility	Location	Notes
Seven-Eleven Ome Mitake	3 min walk from Mitake Station	Last chance to stock up on food and drinks
Small shop at Mitake Station	Station area	Onigiri, drinks available
Cable car upper station shop	Mitakesanyama Station	Souvenirs and light snacks
Mitake-san Oshi Village shops	Along the shrine pilgrimage road	Several tea houses serving oden and warabi-mochi

Important: There are no shops or vending machines on the trail from Mt. Mitake to Mt. Otake. Make sure to buy all food and drinks before leaving the Mt. Mitake area.

Restrooms

🚻 Mitake Station: Restrooms inside the station
🚻 Takimoto Station: Before the cable car boarding area
🚻 Mitakesanyama Station: Inside the cable car upper station
🚻 Nagao-daira: Public restroom near the lookout by the shrine
🚻 Near Otake Shrine: Basic restroom below the shrine (last one before the summit)

Note: There are no restrooms at the Mt. Otake summit. The facility near Otake Shrine is your last opportunity.

Access Information

Train

Shinjuku Station → JR Chuo Line Rapid / Ome Line → Mitake Station (about 90 minutes)
On weekends and holidays, the Holiday Rapid Okutama train runs direct with no transfers

Bus

Mitake Station → Nishi-Tokyo Bus to Cable-shita → Takimoto Station (about 10 min, 280 yen)
Extra services run on weekends during hiking season

Cable Car

Takimoto Station → Mitakesanyama Station (about 6 min)
Adult one-way 600 yen / round trip 1,130 yen
Runs approximately every 15 minutes
First car: 7:30 AM weekdays / 7:10 AM weekends
Last car: 17:30–18:30 depending on season

By Car

From Chuo Expressway Hachioji IC → via Takiyama-kaido and Ome-kaido → Takimoto Station parking (about 1 hour)
Takimoto parking: approximately 130 spaces (350 yen/day for standard vehicles; expect crowding on weekends)

Seasonal Guide

🌸 Spring (Apr–May): Fresh green foliage and wildflowers including dogtooth violets along the trail
☀️ Summer (Jul–Aug): Shaded canopy keeps temperatures reasonable, but bring insect repellent and extra water
🍁 Autumn (Oct–Nov): Peak season — the ridgeline blazes with maple and beech autumn colors

Winter note: From December to March, snow and ice are possible on the trail. Lightweight crampons are required, and the chain sections become more challenging when frozen. Recommended for experienced winter hikers only.

Important Notes

⚠️ Chain sections: Short but require three-point contact. Slippery in rain — gloves recommended
⚠️ No water sources: There are no streams or taps on the traverse. Carry at least 1 liter of water
⚠️ Otake-sanso (closed): The former mountain lodge is permanently closed — no lodging or supplies available
⚠️ Cable car last departure: Plan your descent carefully. Missing the last cable car means a long walk down to the bus stop
⚠️ Bear activity: Black bears have been spotted in Okutama. Carry a bear bell