Mt Mitake is the 929m mountain in western Tokyo’s Okutama region — 2 hours from Shinjuku on the JR Chuo line plus a cable car. The summit holds Musashi-Mitake-jinja shrine (founded 90 BC, present buildings 1606), and the surrounding ridges connect to Mt Otake (1,266m) and the Rock Garden waterfall trail. The proper Tokyo mountain hike if Mt Takao feels too domesticated.
What to Expect
Cable car runs from Takimoto base (424m) to Mitakesan station (831m) in 6 minutes — saves the steep first 400m. From the cable-car top, walk 25 minutes through cedar forest to Musashi-Mitake-jinja, then optionally continue to the Rock Garden trail (90 minutes loop with several waterfalls) or push west to Mt Otake summit (1,266m, 2 hours each way from Mitakesan).
The shrine grounds host the famous oinu-sama (wolf-deity) tradition — couples bring dogs for blessings, and there’s a permanent pet-friendly inn (Komadori-sanso) at the summit village.
Consider This Instead
For an easier same-day mountain experience closer to central Tokyo, head to Mt Takao (599m, 1 hour from Shinjuku, paved trail option). Mt Takao has the cable car + summit beer + crowds; Mt Mitake has the longer ridge walks and the genuine quiet.
How to Get There
Getting There
From Shinjuku Station
- 1Take JR Chuo Rapid Line → Tachikawa
- 2Transfer to JR Ome Line → Mitake Station
- 3Bus to Takimoto cable car base → Takimoto
- 4Cable car to summit village → Mitakesan Station
Tips
- Round-trip cable car saves money. ¥1,130 vs ¥1,200 single tickets.
- Mt Otake adds 4 hours. Add half a day; bring proper hiking shoes for the ridge.
- Stay overnight at the summit. Komadori-sanso and other shukubo (temple lodging) take walk-ins; ¥10,000–15,000 with two meals.
- Pet-friendly mountain. Dogs allowed on trails, in the cable car, and at most summit-village accommodation.
FAQ
Mt Mitake or Mt Takao?
Mt Takao = easier, closer to Shinjuku, paved trail, summit beer, crowded. Mt Mitake = longer journey, real hiking, ridge walks to Mt Otake, far quieter. Most travellers do Takao first, Mitake on a return visit.
Best season?
Mid-November koyo for autumn colours; late April for sakura at altitude; June for the Rock Garden waterfalls running highest. Avoid winter — snow makes the upper trails dangerous.
Can I do the Otake ridge in a day?
Yes — leave Shinjuku 07:00, cable car 09:30, summit 10:00, Mt Otake 12:00, back at cable car 16:00, Shinjuku 19:00. Tight but doable.
