Okutama – A Treasure House of Nature Only Two Hours From Tokyo

Tokyo, as most people know, is a busy cosmopolitan city with a population of over 10 million people, but there is much more to the capital city than just high-rise buildings. The town of Okutama, located in the extreme western part of Tokyo, can be reached within about two hours by train or car. Here, you will see the other side of Tokyo, a world full of beautiful nature. Okutama is well-known for its water and greenery, which attracts many leisure enthusiasts who come to the area to enjoy hiking and mountain climbing at weekends.

There are a number of sightseeing spots and tourist facilities situated in and around Lake Okutama, an oasis that is enjoyed by people living in the Tokyo Metropolitan area. The lake can hold 180 million tons of water and supplies approximately 20% of the water that Tokyoites use. The surface of the lake reflects the surrounding trees and mountains, and this creates surreal beauty. Cherry blossoms, fresh green leaves, autumn colored leaves and withered trees in winter produce vivid colors each season.

Amid this cascade of color, you should not miss seeing the 10,000-odd cherry blossom trees that bloom around the observation platform between the middle and end of April. This is now becoming known as a “secret” cherry-blossom viewing spot, as the cherry blossoms look beautiful in full bloom by the lake that is surrounded by steep wall-like mountains. Lake Okutama feeds the Tama River and is a man-made lake that was created by the building of a dam in a village that used to be called Ogouchi-mura; therefore, the dam was called “Ogouchi Dam” after the village.

In the middle of the long and narrow 45 kilometer long lake has two bridges that cross the water between the north and south banks. As the bridges were once made of oil drums, they are commonly called “oil drum bridges.” At present they are made of buoys instead of oil drums and it is not possible to cross them by car. At the south side of the lake is a natural park facility called “Yama no Furusato-mura,” which was built to encourage people to deepen their interest in the natural world.

Facilities in this natural park include an accommodation site, camp site and a barbecue site that can teach you fundamental knowledge about living outdoors. Furthermore, in the craft center you can enjoy taking part in various lessons including pottery, wood working, stone work and making natural food. Each instructor will kindly teach you in classes that are open throughout the year and cater to beginners and family members.

Okutama is a treasure house of nature. The Tama River and the Nippara River, which both run through Okutama, are the best places for fishing, and many good fishing spots are scattered along the banks of both rivers. Many fishing fans come to find the best places to fish in the beautiful valley. In addition, the town provides many camping facilities including bungalows, lodges, and even camping sites on the riverbed when it is dry. As an added attraction, a fireworks show is held in August.

Although you are able to enjoy many outdoor activities in Okutama, the highlight of them will likely be the trekking. Trekking options available include light hiking to full-scale mountain climbing. Of the 10 hiking courses available, you can choose to go on a day hike to the so-called Okutama Sanzan (three mountains) that includes Gozen-yama, Mitou-san and Ootake-san. Most courses start from JR Okutama station and you can choose the course – that includes a family course and an advanced course – that suits your physical ability.

From the mountaintop you are able to enjoy a panoramic view of Mt. Yatsugatake, the Chichibu mountain range, and Mt. Fuji. On the way to the top you will walk through woods and be able to appreciate the many kinds of flowers in each season. One of the courses, called the “Great Tama Walking Trail,” which starts from JR Kori station lets you enjoy the beauty of the valley to the full. The view from the walking path is so beautiful that it is gaining popularity among hikers. Other walking options in this area include “Therapeutic walking in a wood course” and an “Okutama old walking course” in which you walk along the old Ome trail.

Many hikers take photos of this beautiful scenery along the way. If you want to take a photo of Mt. Fuji, the best place to do so is Mt. Kumotori. Mt. Fuji rises from a mountain range so you can take pictures of Mt. Fuji at sunrise and at sunset. It takes one night and two days to climb Mr. Kumotori, therefore, quite a few people leave the mountain lodge before dawn to take pictures of the sunrise from the mountain top.

Another fun activity in Okutama is the hot springs. From one of them, called “Moegi no yu” and located within 10 minutes walk from Okutama station, you can see the clear waters of the Tama river as well as the mountain range, and also refresh your body and soul. To bathe there costs 750 yen for two hours. There are many other hot spring spas where you can have fun. Most ryokan (Japanese inn) provide a hot spring bathing package including lunch costing about 3,000 yen.

Specialties of Okutama include fresh fish from the river including rainbow trout, yamame (a kind of trout), and fresh vegetables from the mountains including Japanese horseradish, bracken and mushrooms. In addition to these, you can enjoy many tasty local products including noodles, miso, Japanese pickles, foods boiled in soy, konnyaku, mushrooms and other delights. The charm of Okutama, which surprisingly to many people is located in Tokyo and yet full of outdoor leisure facilities, is sure to be discovered by foreigners.

Okutama Tourist Information Center
www.okutama.gr.jp/

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