Hello, fellow travel lovers!
This time, I visited Mitake Mountain, one of Tokyo's popular power spots.
It was the middle of a long holiday weekend, and with clear skies ahead, I braced myself for the crowds and set off by car at 5:30 AM.
The first cable car departs at 7:30 AM, so I really pushed myself to wake up early!
But thanks to that, I was able to start the day off on a great note!
The Steepest Cable Car in Kanto! A Quick Ride to Mitake Mountain Station
The cable car was quietly waiting before departure. Looks like it’s going to be a busy day!
So, the cable car I rode this time is actually the steepest one in all of Kanto!
It takes only 6 minutes to travel from Takimoto Station at 407 meters elevation to Mitake Mountain Station at 831 meters. The speed is incredible!
Here’s the view from the plaza in front of Mitake Mountain Station upon arrival.
Off we go to Musashi Mitake Shrine!
But it’s not that close! You’ll walk for about 30 minutes after passing through the welcoming gate.
Can you believe it’s 1,000 years old?! It’s practically fused with the earth by now.
It’s also one of the largest zelkova trees in Japan. But for some reason, the explanation for Jindai Keyaki is only in English.
And in the explanation, it only mentions 'Ancient Zelkova,' without any reference to 'Jindai Keyaki' at all!
It felt a bit incomplete, which made me wonder, but I was still completely mesmerized by the magnificent keyaki tree.
Additionally, to visit the main shrine, you have to conquer around 330 steps. Just one last push!
Praying at Musashi Mitake Shrine
I offered my prayers at Musashi Mitake Shrine. The view from the shrine is also fantastic, and I prayed for a safe journey. The blue sky and the colorful carvings were truly breathtaking!
As you go further in, there’s a monument marking the summit! This is it—929 meters, the very top of Mount Mitake!
The mountain visible in front of me is covered in autumn leaves. A quick Google Lens search revealed that it’s likely Mount Gozen, standing at 1,405 meters.
Nagao-daira Park: Stunning Views and Breakfast!?
After the shrine visit, I took a short walk to Nagao-daira Park. It’s the perfect rest spot during a hike.
It’s also used as a helipad for takeoffs and landings.
There are a few tables and benches for resting, so I decided to have my breakfast here!
The only thing I brought was the karaage I worked hard on making yesterday (lol).
We all realized we should’ve brought rice balls too, but with such an early start, we all gave up on the idea—what a perfectly synced group we are (lol).
Someone shared some rice crackers, so we ended up having a breakfast of karaage and rice crackers together.
I figured I could just pick something up along the way... but...There weren’t any stores at all in Okutama!
For those planning a trip here, be sure to keep this in mind!
Tengu Rock for an Adventure! ...Or So I Thought
Next up, the famous Tengu Rock at Mount Mitake!
Watch your step!
At the top of the photo, you can see a tengu enshrined between the trees.
You can use chains to do some rock climbing on the left side of this huge rock, but after seeing a light-footed boy and a young dad struggling, I quickly gave up!
For those feeling confident, it’s a thrilling experience, so be sure to watch your step and give it a try!
As you make your way around Tengu Rock, you'll see the tengu's nose right in front of you. It's super impressive!
A Refreshing Trek to Rock Garden & Ayahiro Falls!
And finally, we head to Rock Garden, where you walk right through a clear stream.
Trekking along the clear stream is soothing with the sound of flowing water, and you get to enjoy some small steps and rocky areas. But, this is definitely a recipe for sore legs tomorrow!
Crossing rocky bridges like this, we kept going back and forth across the stream.
And then back to this side again!
Just before Ayahiro Falls, I spotted number 10 of the Mitake Mountain Famous Trees Tour! Did I miss numbers 1 to 9? 😭
綾広の滝に到着！落差10mほどの滝で、滝行に使われたりもするようです。
From around Ayahiro Falls, the path becomes much easier to walk, giving me a nice break. 😊
Tengu's Resting Cedar Tree
The last stop is the legendary Tengu's Resting Cedar Tree.
This massive cedar tree, estimated to be about 350 years old, is truly overwhelming in its presence.
At this spot, where legend says the Tengu once sat to rest, take a moment to feel the power of nature.
Lunch at Momijiya with handmade udon!
To wrap up the hike, lunch at Momijiya!
I had handmade udon, maitake tempura, and even rice cooked with duck, but the only photo I took was of plain udon! These things happen, right? (lol)
Since everyone ordered something different this time, I’ll borrow their photos and upload them here.
Sansai Udon (Mountain Vegetable Udon)
Nameko Udon (Mushroom Udon)
Walnut Udon
By the time we finished eating, there was a line of people waiting outside the restaurant!
The descent turned into a race: Cable Car Team vs Running Team!
For the descent, it was a race between the 3-person cable car team and the solo runner.
Seriously, the running team had way too much energy! They were totally ready to run the 2.8 km from this point!
The cable car team got lucky with an extra cable car running, so we were able to head down smoothly with no wait time.
We arrived 5 minutes earlier and claimed victory!
My souvenirs were kibi mochi daifuku and smoked cheese!
The souvenirs I got at Takimoto Station were kibi mochi daifuku and smoked cheese. The cheese was rich and creamy—absolutely perfect with beer! I’ll definitely buy it again next time!
The Mitake Mountain hike is not only a refreshing escape into nature but also a great way to enjoy delicious food along the way. Be sure to check it out for yourself!
The journey continues... Wishing you all a wonderful trip! – TabiJun
Duration: About 4.5 hours
