National park · Japan
Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park秩父多摩甲斐国立公園
Spend a day hiking a peak (e.g., Mount Mitake) from Tokyo: take the Seibu Chichibu train (75 min, ¥1,370) and the Mitake cable‑car (¥1,090 return) and start before 10:00; the park entry is free, but trail fees apply (check).Spend a day hiking a peak (e.g., Mount Mitake) from Tokyo: take the Seibu Chichibu train (75 min, ¥1,370) and the Mitake cable‑car (¥1,090 return) and start before 10:00 AM; the park entry is free, but trail fees apply (check).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,250 km² (483 sq mi)483 sq mi (1,250 km²)
approximate
Established
1950
Best months
Mar–May, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
At a glance
- Country
- Japan
- Area
- 1,250 km² (483 sq mi)483 sq mi (1,250 km²)
- Park covers roughly 1,250 km² across four prefectures.
- Established
- 1950
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- Not needed
Chichibu‑Tama‑Kai National Park offers easy access from Tokyo, eight peaks over 2,000 m, historic shrines and forest trails, making it a low‑crowd day‑trip destination.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1950.
Size and age
1,250 km² (483 sq mi)483 sq mi (1,250 km²) · national park since 1950
Park covers roughly 1,250 km² across four prefectures.
Why go
- Easy day‑trip from Tokyo with several 2,000 m peaks.
- Historic shrines (Mitsumine, Musashi‑Mitake) and classic forest trails.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanCold but clear; good for winter scenery.
- FebSimilar to Jan, fewer visitors.
- MarCherry‑blossom season, mild weather.
- AprSpring flowers, comfortable temps.
- MayLate spring, low rain.
- JunStart of rainy season; trails can be slippery.
- JulHot, occasional storms.
- AugPeak heat and rain.
- SepEarly autumn, cooler.
- OctAutumn colours, dry.
- NovCrisp air, colourful foliage.
- DecCold, occasional snow on higher peaks.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese macaqueAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Black bear (rare sightings)Apr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Mitsumine area | Cable‑car station, shrine, short forest loops. | Open; cable‑car ticket required. |
| Mitake area | Cable‑car, Musashi‑Mitake Shrine, trailheads. | Open; cable‑car ticket required. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate for major points; park spans multiple prefectures.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | Free (check for seasonal fees). |
| Mitsumine cable‑car (one‑way) | JPY 950–1,650 (≈ US$7–12) | person | Runs 09:00–16:30. |
| Mitake cable‑car (return) | JPY 1,090 (≈ US$8) | person | — |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ¥950–1,650≈ US$7–12
- ¥1,090≈ US$8
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Ministry of Environment – Chichibu‑Tama‑Kai National Park (official) before you go.
Park rules
- Camping
- Not allowed in the forest; use designated campgrounds outside the park.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use portable stoves only.
- Pets
- Dogs on leash only on marked trails.
Where to stay
In the park
Kōunkaku ryokan
Basic rooms with onsen at Mitsumine Shrine.
Near the park
Chichibu town
Hotels and hostels 15 min by bus from park entrances.
Safety
Steep trails medium
Limited mobile signal low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Cable‑car stations have level access; trails are steep and not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Use the official cable‑car routes; avoid off‑trail shortcuts.
- Carry out all litter; respect shrine grounds.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Chichibu‑Tama‑Kai National Park?
Entry is free, but cable‑car tickets and some trail fees apply (see fees section).
What are the best hikes in the park?
Mount Mitsumine, Mount Mitake, Mount Daibosatsu and Mount Kumotori are popular; choose based on time and fitness.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring (Mar‑May) and autumn (Oct‑Nov) offer mild weather and good scenery.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is not allowed in the forest; use designated campgrounds outside the park.
How do I get there from Tokyo?
Take the Seibu Chichibu Line from Ikebukuro (75 min, ¥1,370) to Chichibu, then local buses or cable‑cars to trailheads.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park
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