Oct. 2026
A SACRED MOUNTAIN NEAR TOKYO
Just west of Tokyo, MT. MITAKE (御岳山) is a popular hiking destination in the Okutama region. Rising to 929 meters, it is known for its forest trails, historic shrine, and small traditional mountain village. Despite being relatively easy to reach from the city, it offers a welcome break from urban life.
The mountain is home to MUSASHI MITAKE SHRINE, a historic place of mountain worship whose origins, according to tradition, date back more than 2,000 years. Around the shrine is a small village with traditional guesthouses, restaurants, and shops, which still caters to pilgrims and hikers.
But honestly, we weren’t particularly interested in the shrine or the village. We came here for a much simpler reason: we wanted a quiet hike.
FROM UME NO KOUEN TO MT. HINODE
We started at UME NO KOUEN (梅の公園) and walked through the forest toward MT. HINODE (日の出山) before continuing to Mt. Mitake. Instead of taking the cable car up the mountain, we chose to do the whole approach on foot.
For much of the route, we walked along relatively gentle forest paths, with tall, straight trees standing on both sides. The scenery was pretty much the same for long stretches. No dramatic mountain views, no spectacular autumn leaves, and nothing particularly exciting to photograph.
Some people might have found it boring. Actually, I can understand why.
But we didn’t mind. We weren’t looking for a mountain that would leave us speechless or give us a perfect photo for social media. We just wanted to walk, breathe some fresh air, and get away from the crowds and noise of the city.
There was something relaxing about following the same quiet path beneath those towering trees, without much to think about except putting one foot in front of the other. It was almost like giving our brains a day off.
WHEN THE QUIET FOREST GOT BUSIER
The trail became steeper as we got closer to Mt. Mitake, and we gradually started seeing more hikers. After spending so much time walking through quiet woodland, it was quite a change to arrive at the busier mountain village near MUSASHI MITAKE SHRINE and the MITAKE TOZAN RAILWAY cable car station.
There were traditional guesthouses, small shops, and restaurants along the narrow streets. We also spotted students struggling up and down the steep slopes with their heavy suitcases. I couldn’t help wondering how much stuff they had packed—and whether dragging it all uphill was part of their school trip experience!
The village had a pleasant old-fashioned atmosphere, but after hours of peaceful walking, the crowds felt a little surprising. It was a reminder that Mt. Mitake is a popular destination, not just a quiet forest hidden away from the world.
TOO LAZY TO WALK BACK DOWN
By the time we reached Mt. Mitake, we had walked enough for the day. We weren’t particularly motivated to explore more trails, so we decided to take the easy way down.
We hopped on the MITAKE TOZAN RAILWAY cable car and enjoyed the scenery on the way down before catching a local bus back to our parking lot.
After all, we had already walked all the way from Ume no Kouen via Mt. Hinode. Surely, we had earned the right to skip the downhill walk!
The ride was a relaxing end to the day, and it was nice to enjoy the mountain views without having to do any more work. Sometimes, taking the easy option is perfectly reasonable—especially when your legs have already done their share.
NOT EVERY HIKE NEEDS A SPECTACULAR VIEW
Our hike from Ume no Kouen via Mt. Hinode to Mt. Mitake wasn’t the most exciting or scenic hike we had ever done. There were no breathtaking panoramas, and the autumn colors weren’t particularly impressive. If you’re looking for dramatic scenery, this might not be your first choice.
But I still enjoyed it.
What I liked was the quietness of the forest and the chance to spend several hours away from the usual noise and distractions. We didn’t need spectacular views to make the day worthwhile. Just walking beneath the tall trees, enjoying the fresh air, and having nowhere urgent to be was enough.
Not every hike has to be about conquering a summit or finding the most beautiful view. Sometimes, I just want to walk through a forest, clear my head, and enjoy a day away from the city. And for that, Mt. Mitake via Mt. Hinode did the job perfectly.
A SPICY SURPRISE AT CAFE MONACA
After getting off the train, we had to wait for a bus back to our parking lot. Since the wait was going to be more than half an hour, we decided to grab some lunch at a small nearby restaurant called Cafe Monaca. I ordered their curry rice, which turned out to be surprisingly good! Unlike the typical Japanese curry, it had a richer, spicier flavor that gave it a bit of a kick. It was an unexpected but very welcome find while waiting for our bus.