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Voykit pocket guide · Japan
Okutama
奥多摩
Spend 1–2 days for hiking, hot springs and lake; reach by train from Tokyo in ~1.5 h, then walk or bus to sites.
Okutama is a mountainous area at Tokyo's western edge, reachable by JR Ōme Line (≈1 ½ h, ¥1,080). Main attractions – Lake Okutama, Mount Mitake, Nippara Caves and Moegi‑no‑yu onsen – are within walking distance or a short bus ride from Oku‑Tama Station. One full day covers a hike to Mount Mitake and a dip in the onsen; a second day adds a lake walk or a longer summit trek.
- Country
- Japan
- Local name
- 奥多摩
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (hot, humid)
- Stay
- 1–2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- JPY
- Money
- Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget ¥5,000–7,000 excl. bed · Mid ¥7,000–10,000 excl. bed · High ¥10,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Data-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 119
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 100 V · 50 Hz east (Tokyo), 60 Hz west (Osaka) · Most sockets are two flat pins without earth; European and UK plugs need an adapter. Phone and laptop chargers handle 100 V.
- Tipping
- Restaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.; Taxis: No tip; pay the meter.; Ryokan: Optional: ¥1,000–3,000 in an envelope for the room attendant; never loose cash.; Private guide: Not expected; a small gift or a thank-you meal is more usual.; Hotel porter: No tip.
- Water
- Safe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.
- Toilets
- Free, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet. Rural and old stations may have squat toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Wasabi‑zuke (pickled wasabi stem) | ¥400–500 |
| Bottled water | ¥120–200 |
| Bus ride (local) | ¥200–300 |
| Onsen entry (Moegi‑no‑yu) | ¥750 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- HND · Haneda Airport
- JR Keikyu Line to Shinagawa, then JR Chuo Line to Ome, total ~2 h
- NRT · Narita International Airport
- Narita Express to Tokyo Station, then JR Chuo Line to Ome, total ~2.5 h
Typical fares
- Tokyo → Oku‑Tama (JR Ōme Line)
- about ¥1,080, 1 ½ h (check)
- Moegi‑no‑yu onsen entry
- ¥750 per adult
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
JR Ōme Line to Oku‑Tama Station; local buses to lake, caves and trailheads; taxis or rental cars optional. Most hikes start within 10 min walk from the station.
See and do
Known for
- Lake Okutama
- Mount Mitake & Mitake Shrine
- Moegi‑no‑yu onsen
- Nippara Caves
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Mitake | JR Ōme Line to Mitake Station, then ropeway or bus (10 min) to shrine | ≈2 h round trip |
| Lake Okutama | Bus from Oku‑Tama Station (20 min) or hike 9 km (5.6 mi) trail (≈4 h)Bus from Oku‑Tama Station (20 min) or hike 5.6 mi (9 km) trail (≈4 h) | ≈2 h total |
| Nippara Caves | Bus from Oku‑Tama Station (≈30 min) | ≈2 h total |
Sleep
- Campgrounds
- Free or low‑cost sites near the lake; basic facilities.
- Minshuku
- Family‑run inns, ~¥6,000 per night.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | すみませんsumimasen |
| Thank you | ありがとうございますarigatō gozaimasu |
| How much is it? | いくらですか？ikura desu ka |
| Where is the toilet? | トイレはどこですか？toire wa doko desu ka |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: A small bow; a handshake if the other person offers; avoid: Hugs, back slaps, loud greetings
- Names: Family name plus -san; avoid: First names unless invited; adding -san to your own name
- Paying: Put money in the tray at the register; avoid: Tipping, or leaving loose cash for staff
- Trains: Queue at the floor marks, phone on silent, ask before reclining on the Shinkansen; avoid: Phone calls, eating on crowded commuter trains, blocking doors with bags
- Escalators: Stand on the side locals use — left in Tokyo, right in Osaka; stations now ask people to stand still on both; avoid: Stopping at the top or bottom
- Shoes: Off at the step-up entrance; toilet slippers only inside the toilet; avoid: Stepping on tatami in shoes or slippers
- Shrines: Rinse hands at the basin; bow twice, clap twice, bow once; avoid: Walking down the centre of the approach, which is for the deity
- Gifts: Offer and receive with both hands; bring a small omiyage for hosts; avoid: Sets of four; cash outside an envelope
Scams and watch-outs
- Bus schedules are limited on weekends; check the local tourist site for times.
- Onsen Moegi‑no‑yu charges ¥750 per adult; cash only.
- Mountain weather changes quickly; bring rain gear.
Okutama is safe for hikers; main risks are weather changes and occasional steep trails – wear proper shoes and carry a rain jacket.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Okutama yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Lake Okutama
- Mount Mitake & Mitake Shrine
- Moegi‑no‑yu onsen
- Nippara Caves
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Okutama, revision 5121181 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5121181
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/okutama). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.