Mount Mitake

Mount Mitake is a beautiful mountain atop which sits a Shinto village and the historic Musashi Mitake Shrine.

Though technically still within Tokyo, at almost 1000 meters elevation Mitake-san couldn’t be farther from the busy metropolis in atmosphere. It’s a quiet alternative to Tokyo’s most famous mountain, Takao.

Things to do on Mount Mitake

Mount Mitake offers stunning views of Tokyo and has many trails for both beginners and experienced hikers. The most popular time to visit is during spring, for the cherry blossoms, and in autumn, for the fall leaves. If you don’t feel like a workout, then the mountain also lets visitors stay at traditional shukubo (Shinto lodgings) that offer ritual waterfall experiences and meditation.

The key tourist spot is the main shrine, which is around a 30 to 40-minute walk from the cable car station, including around 300 steps.

See our full guide to Mount Mitake, including more of what to do on the mountain, how to stay overnight, and our favorite hiking trails.

How to get to Mount Mitake from Tokyo

Mount Mitake can be accessed from Tokyo in around two hours. The best way to get there is from Shinjuku Station using the Chuo Line Rapid train service. You’ll first need to go to Ōme Station, which takes just under an hour and a half, and then change to the local Ōme Line to Mitake Station, which takes an extra 15 minutes.

From Mitake Station, take the bus (there will be signs) to the cable car station. This takes 10 minutes. The cable car takes under 10 minutes to reach halfway up Mount Mitake.

You can do the whole journey (train, bus, and cable car) using an IC Card such as a Pasmo or Suica.