Hiking in Tokyo at Accessible, Deeply Forested Mt. Mitake(Mitake san) Rock Garden
Mt. Mitake's Untouched Nature with Convenience for Inexperienced Hikers
There are few places in Tokyo where we can enjoy activities in the deep nature
with accessibility for those who don't own a car. But after spending 30 years
of Tokyo life, I finally found my favourite place that is perfect to go for a
handy escape from civilization(We call it Concrete Jungle).
90 min of JR train ride from Shinjuku will bring you to the closest station to
Mt. Mitake(Mitake san/御岳山). At there, you can experience unbelievably
beautiful forests that will make you forget that you are in fact in Tokyo.
The highlight of the mountain is the shrine at the summit(929m) and the
beautiful trail of the famous Rock Garden. On your way to the trail, you will
also come across some souvenir shops and restaurants so it is perfect to make
a whole day trip out there.
As travel to other prefectures is not recommended to prevent the spread of
coronavirus, I went there on August 8th for my summer vacation activity and I
will show you how to enjoy the hiking at Mt. Mitake for those who are not a
well experienced nor equipped hiker.
My itinerary was:
JR Mitake station(10:00) → Cable Shita bus stop by Bus(10:24) → Take cablecar
at Takimoto cablecar station(10:30 ) → Walk to Musashi Mitake Shrine(11:05) →
Have lunch at Nagaodaira observatory(12:00) → Tengu Iwa(13:00) → Rock
Garden(13:22) → Ayahiro waterfall(14:30) → Back to cablecar(16:00)
Note that we were photo shooting on the trail so took a lot of time than
average.
Awesome View of Rock Garden Hiking
Although there are several hiking routes on Mt. Mitake, the best route for
your first visit is Rock Garden especially if you are an outdoor sport
beginner.
It is about a 2-3 hours hike after you get off the cablecar. From the cablecar station, the first destination is Musashi MItake Shrine(武蔵御嶽神社/Musashi Mitake Jinja) where has been the center of mountain worship for 2000 years.
After praying at the shrine, it's time to enjoy a hike through Rock Garden.
The mossy rocks at Rock Garden spread all over your sight and walk through
there for a while, you will come across Ayahiro waterfall.
JR Mitake Station. Catch the bus in front of this station to get to the
cable car station. (Time table)
|
Takimoto cablecar station. Buy a round trip ticket here. If you would like to hike up/down, you can skip the cablecar. The time table is here.
Step into the trail through this gate.
Walk for 25 min through the village where you can stay to experience the
traditional lifestyle. There is a visitor center in the middle of the
way so don't forget to grab a trail map. You can also get an online map
here.
The main building.
Make sure to get the cool Goshuin-cho(御朱印帳, 1000 yen) if you do not have
one, a certain notebook that you collect the calligraphies of shrines in it.
So cool calligraphy, right? The name of the shrine is written down on it.
Passing through this way leads you to the top of the mountain.
The sign to indicate the summit of Mt. Mitake.
Once you finish praying, time to go hike further. On the way back
down the stairs, you will find this signboard indicating the shortcut for
Rock Garden.
After a little 10 min of walk, you will get to Nagaodaira observatory and
the space with some tables that you can take a rest and have lunch. It was
cloudy though.
Walked for 15 min and got to a huge rock that looks like a long-nosed
goblin(天狗/tengu) facing up when you see it in the distance. A chain is
equipped to climb to the top of the rock.
Then we were entering the most scenic forested valley, Rock Garden. The
stream water is very cool and relaxing.
Walking for about 30 min, you get to the rest area with some tables by
the stream, where you can have your lunch listing the sound of the running water.
The returning way to the trailhead is much smoother and wider terrain than the
route that we have come through in the valley.
Where to Eat Lunch in Rock Garden Trail
If you didn't bring any lunch, the restaurants in front of the Shrine are
offering Soba, Tempura, etc. to eat before/after hiking.
There is flexibility in how you have a meal on the trail.
Access to Mt. Mitake
1. JR to Mitake station
At Shinjuku, take the JR Chuo Line Ome Special Rapid towards Ome all the
way to Ome station(青梅駅) (for one hour).
Then transfer to JR Ome Line Local towards Oku-Tama and get off at Mitake
station(御嶽駅)(for 15 min). The fare of JR is 940 yen one way.
2. Bus to the Cablecar
There is a bus stop right across the Mitake station. The bus stop is dedicated
to Mt. Mitake hiking so you can catch any bus. You will get to Cable Shita
station in 10 min and the fare is 290 yen. Suica/Pasmo card is available.
3. Walk to Cable car station
After getting off the bus, you will climb up the steep slope to the Takimoto
cable car station. Everyone on the same bus is heading there so just follow
them.
Cable car fare is 1130 yen for a round trip. If you are keen to have one hour
hike, there is a trail to walk up to the upper cablecar station.
Once get to the upper station, there is the trailhead on the left side of the
station.
What to Bring to Rock Garden
As it is not a technical hiking, wearing basic comfy outfit should be enough.
But it would be better if you have below for more comfident and safe hike:
- Hiking shirts and pants
- Hat
- Towel
- Rain wear or umbrella
- 1L+ water
- Snacks
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Camera
Hot Sring After Hiking at Mt. Mitake
If you start hiking in the morning you will be back to the station afternoon
and should be sweaty. It is time to bathe to take all the dirt off.
Heading back for downtown Tokyo for 35 min and the hot spring place, Ume no Yu
(梅の湯) is at Kawabe station(河辺駅). This onsen is right across the
station so there is no hussle to walk for a long time with the
uncomfortableness on your sticky skin.
The natural hot spring of Umeno Yu is called "water of beautiful skin ", which
makes your skin smooth yet moistureised.
Its open-air bath(露天風呂/Loten Buro) is Gensen Kakenagashi(源泉かけ流し),
which is running water that comes directly from the undrground and is not
circulated to reuse the water.
Bring your bath towel and face towel, or you can rent them for 260 yen.
Shampoo and body soap are equipped to use for free.
| Ragular fee |
Nitght Time after 9pm |
Holidays New Year/Ｇ.Ｗ./ Obon/S.W. |
|
| Adult Visitor | 880yen | 580yen | 990yen |
| Adult Membership | 770yen | 470円yen | 880yen |
| Child | 440yen | 220円yen | 550yen |
They also have a spacious dining area that offers Japanese food at an
affordable price and a place to take a rest.
Address: Tokyo, Ome, Kabemachi, 10 Chome−8−1 5 Kabe Town Bldg. 6F
Open hours: 10am - 11:30pm
TEL: +81- 428-20-1026
Conclusion
Rock Garden is definitely a perfect place for people living in Tokyo to go for
a convenient summer weekend getaway!
It is accessible from downtown Tokyo yet very relaxing with the great
nature.
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