Mount Odake, Tokyo, Japan
Getting to Mount Mitake was a journey—three trains, a bus, and a cable car. I could’ve hiked from lower down, but the first section was just a road with no views, so I skipped it by taking the cable car to Mitakesan Station (831m).
Stepping out, the view was incredible! I took a few minutes to admire it before starting my hike. The trail was wide and easy, leading me to Musashi Mitake Shrine (921m), one of the mountain’s highlights. After a short detour to a viewpoint, I continued toward Mt. Odake (1266m). Near the peak, the trail got tricky—I had to climb a short, rocky cliff with my hands, and the freezing cold rocks didn’t help!
At the summit, I debated whether to continue down to Oku-Tama Station or return the way I came. I chose to head back via the Rock Garden and waterfall trail. The descent along the river was stunning, though the moss-covered rocks were slippery. I took another detour to Nanayo Falls, where a warning sign mentioned the steepness ahead. I hesitated but went for it—it was incredibly steep. The waterfall was smaller than I expected but still beautiful. Climbing back up was tougher than my ascent to the peak!
Back at Mitakesan Station, I took a break and enjoyed a bowl of curry before taking the cable car down. I loved the variety of trails here and will definitely be back to explore more!
Route Detail
Distance: 13.57km out & back from Mitakesan Station
Total elevation gain: 899m
Time: 3h 36m (total time with breaks 3h 47m)
Difficulty: Moderate
Peaks: Mitakedaira 831m, Mt Mitake 929m, Mt Odake 1266m
Transportation & Miscellaneous
Train from Higashi-Hanno Station to Mitake Station ¥680
Bus from Mitake Station to Takimoto Station ¥340
Cable Car from Takimoto Station to Mitakesan Station ¥600
Food ¥880
