Okutama Guide

Okutama is the outdoor destination for everyone! Its location close Tokyo makes
it a great economical day trip. It only cost about 900 yen from Shinjuku station.
Check Hyperdia or other English train scedules for the express trains.

The broad diversity of scenery, natural and cultural attactions and outdoor
activites available

When to go
You can access this area most of the year but it is in the mountains and the nights can be bitter cold so
come prepared. A warm sleeping bag is a must! I would avoid hiking especially in the valleys in the
early spring and after heavy rain due to the amazing amount of rockfall, landslides, and the muddy
conditions of the trails.

Fall and spring (blossom season) is an especially gorgeous time to visit. The train trip may be a bit
crowded on the weekends but once you leave the station, there is plenty of room to spread out and find
solitude.

In winter there are some warm days and also cold and snowy days. The mountain tops and higher
valleys are snow covered and the trails become very slippery. Crampons or at least an ice axe is
advisable in the winter. Okutama is a great place to beat the summer heat and remember, you can
avoid the crowds just by heading a little further into the mountains

What to do there There are such a variety of activities and places
to visit! Here are just some of the activities I've enjoyed on my
visits.
Caving, BBQ, Camping, Hiking, Rock Climbing, Swimming, Visit
ghost towns, Fishing, Onsen, Mountain and Road biking,
Sightseeing, Attend Festivals

I have included guides on some of my favorite bike rides and
some of the hidden wonders I have found. I ask that if you visit
these places you keep the following philosophy in your heart
Take nothing but pictures, kill nothing but time, leave nothing.

more coming Soon!

Okutama has a great home page with lots of English information.
Once you get there, you can also pick up a very detailed local map
that shows roads, hiking trails and attractions in English. TO get
the map exit the station and go into to building across the parking
lot and ask (Eigo chizu wa arimasu ka? DO you have an English
map?) There may be a small charge of but it is well worth it!. Also
try looking up Japanese sites and using a translation program
such as GOOGLE or BABEL FISH

Where to stay
I usually went as a day trip or went backpacking but there
are plenty of lodging options from mountain huts and camp
grounds to hotels. The majority of lodging options will be
smaller guest houses. Most of the guest houses in the area
are older I think due to the fact that most tourist come to the
area for the day

Okutama is a great picnic destination. I highly recommend
bring a lunch, a blanket, and finding a fabulous spot with a
view or enjoy a nice warm rock near the river

There is a small grocery store outside the station and a
few small shops where you cam pick up convienience
store type food and there are a couple of small cafes that
serve noodles and the like.

At other stations along the line there are an array of
pleasant riverside eateries where you can get a good dish
of soba and have a view of the river. You can also eat at
the Onsen.

It is really easy to get to Okutama. Just take the JR Chuo line to the Ome line. 2 places to watch out are
Tachikawa and Haijima. Here some trains go to Ome and some don't. So make sure your on the right
train or get off and switch. If your not sure you can ask (Kono densha wa Okutama made desu ka?
Does this train go to Okutama? )

At Ome most trains stop and you have to get off and switch trains. Don't worry, there are only two. You
may have to wait around 30 minutes unless you take the morning express.

Once your on the Okutama line sit back and enjoy the scenery. Okutama is the last stop.

Map coming soon