Skip to main content
Back to Explore
Best trails in Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park

Best trails in Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park

4.4(2,376 reviews)

·

Japan
: 
#6 of 29 national parks

All photos

Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park is dotted with a vast array of hiking trails that lead from deep valleys to beautiful waterfalls, over steep ridges and up to rocky mountains. The hiking trails are popular with everyone from beginners to advanced hikers. The park is adjacent to the Okuchichibu mountain range, which spans four prefectures, and you can visit the unique mountains that lie within the park, such as Mt. Kobushigatake, Mt. Kitadake Okuzumijo, and Mt. Kinpu. There are also hiking and trekking routes with spectacular views of Mt. Fuji in the distance, so be sure to check them out.

The west side of the national park is also home to the stunning Nishizawa Valley and Ontake Shosenkyo Gorge, where visitors can enjoy the beauty and unique tranquility of the valleys set amidst lush forests.

Top trails

  1. #1 - Okutama Station - Hatonosu Gorge - Kori Station

    4.6(300)
    ·Moderate
    ·5.0 mi
    ·Est. 2.5–3 hr
    This trail is a scenic riverside walk in the Okutama region. The path follows the clear, emerald-green waters of the Tama River as it flows through a beautiful, forested valley. The main highlight of the walk is the Hatonosu Gorge, a stunning little canyon with deep, calm pools and large rock formations. The trail takes visitors directly through the gorge and across the "Hatonosu Kobashi," a renowned and picturesque suspension bridge that offers breathtaking views.

  2. #2 - Okutama Station - Mount Odake - Mount Mitake

    4.7(160)
    ·Hard
    ·7.4 mi
    ·Est. 5.5–6 hr
    This trail begins at Okutama Station and starts with a climb to the summit of Mount Odake, one of the "Three Mountains of Okutama." This section is steep and rugged, culminating in a rocky scramble to the top. From there, the trail continues along a beautiful forest ridge, leading hikers to the sacred Mount Mitake. The path here takes hikers to the magnificent Musashi-Mitake Shrine. Descending from Mitake, visitors will also pass through the famous "Rock Garden," a magical, moss-covered...

  3. #3 - Hatonosu Gorge - Shiromaru

    4.5(69)
    ·Easy
    ·1.3 mi
    ·Est. 0.5–1 hr
    This trail is a scenic riverside walk in the Okutama region, offering a beautiful journey through the Hatonosu Gorge. The path is shaded by a forest of cedar and maple trees, making it world-famous for its autumn foliage. You will walk through a stunning, deep gorge carved by the emerald-green Tama River. The highlight is the **Hatonosu Kobashi, a large, picturesque suspension bridge that offers views. The trail also passes through several dark, unlit tunnels carved into the rock. The hike...

  4. #4 - Okutama Historical Road

    4.5(103)
    ·Moderate
    ·5.8 mi
    ·Est. 3–3.5 hr
    This trail is the historic Okutama Old Road, a preserved section of the ancient Ome Kaido Highway that connects Tokyo to the mountains. You will walk along the scenic Tama River gorge, passing through quaint rural villages, old tunnels, and suspension bridges, such as the Shidakura Bridge. The trail features small roadside shrines, Jizo statues, and the sacred Baienji Temple. The main reward for this walk is the scenery of the river valley, as well as the stunning Ogouchi Dam and Lake Okutama...

  5. #5 - Mount Takamizu-Sanzan Trail

    4.5(115)
    ·Hard
    ·5.7 mi
    ·Est. 4–4.5 hr
    This trail features walking on a trail that is often rocky, muddy, and slippery, with many exposed tree roots. The trail takes you through a quiet, beautiful forest of towering Japanese cedar and beech trees. The journey is a traditional pilgrimage. The trail up Mount Takamizu is a historic shrine path that leads to the ancient Jorakuji Temple, a sacred site dedicated to a dragon god. The other peaks, especially the rocky summit of Mount Iwatake, offer fantastic panoramic views of the Okutama...

  6. #6 - Mitake Station - Mount Mitake

    4.4(54)
    ·Hard
    ·9.5 mi
    ·Est. 6–6.5 hr
    This trail is the hike up Mount Mitake, a sacred peak in the Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park. This ascent is steep, with numerous stairs and stony paths. The path is a pilgrimage route that winds its way up through a forest of native Japanese cedar trees. The trail's main reward is the magnificent Musashi-Mitake Shrine at the summit. The shrine is famous for its dedication to the wolf deity, who is believed to protect hikers and their pets. The area is also renowned for its Seven Falls and...

  7. #7 - Mount Mitake Trekking Course

    4.5(60)
    ·Hard
    ·6.0 mi
    ·Est. 4.5–5 hr
    This path leads hikers to the summit, which is home to the ancient and magnificent Musashi-Mitake Shrine. This historic shrine has been a site of mountain worship for almost 2,000 years and is famously dedicated to a sacred wolf deity. Hikers will see many statues of wolves. The loop also takes visitors through the Rock Garden, a narrow valley. This path follows a crystal-clear stream, with the trailside covered in mossy, green rocks and small waterfalls, such as the Ayahiro Falls.

  8. #8 - Mitakesan Station - Mount Mitake - Mount Odake

    4.9(39)
    ·Hard
    ·5.9 mi
    This trail begins at Mitake Station and ascends to the sacred summit of Mount Mitake. This peak is home to the magnificent 2,000-year-old Musashi-Mitake Shrine, which is famously dedicated to the wolf deity. From Mount Mitake, the path becomes a rugged and quieter forest trail. The main event is the infamous final ascent to Mount Odake. This is a steep rock scramble, where you must use fixed ladders and chains to pull yourself up the final granite summit block. The reward is the panoramic...

  9. #9 - Mount Kumotori

    4.6(85)
    ·Hard
    ·14.5 mi
    ·Est. 9.5–10.5 hr
    This trail begins with a steep climb up Mount Mitsutoge, famous for its postcard-perfect view of Mount Fuji. From there, the trail becomes a long ridge walk, continuing over Mount Daibosatsu, a historic pass. You will be hiking through a magnificent, ancient forest of beech and hemlock trees. The final destination is the summit of Mount Kumotori. This remote alpine area is home to the native Japanese serow and Japanese macaque. This is a wild area, and hikers often carry bear bells.

  10. #10 - Rock Garden - Mount Odake - Musashi Mitake Shrine Loop

    4.7(45)
    ·Hard
    ·5.1 mi
    ·Est. 3.5–4 hr
    The path begins as a beautiful, rugged forest trail. The tranquil Rock Garden, where mossy stones and clear mountain streams create a stunning atmosphere, and the magnificent Rock Garden Waterfalls. From the Rock Garden, the trail becomes steep and rocky as it ascends to Mount Odake. This peak is renowned for its final ascent, which requires hikers to navigate exposed sections using fixed chains and ladders. The reward for this climb is the panoramic view from the summit, which on a clear day...
Showing results 1–10 of 170
Explore more trails
Parks

Headed to a park?

Take AllTrails with you

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to hike in Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park is Okutama Station - Hatonosu Gorge - Kori Station, which has a 4.6 star rating from 300 reviews. This trail is 5.0 mi long with an elevation gain of 1,036 ft.

What is the longest trail in Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park is Ushihama Station - Odake Limestone Caves. This trail is estimated to be 28.7 mi long.

How many trails are in Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park?

There are 170 trails in Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park. These trails have an average 4.4-star rating from 2,376 AllTrails community reviews.

Which trail has the most elevation gain in Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park?

If you're looking for elevation gain, Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park has you covered. Okutama Three Mountains Trail Running Route boasts the most elevation gain with 8,156 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Mount Kobushigatake - Karisaka Touge Pass Loop, which will get you 6,328 ft of elevation gain.

Are there camping trails available in Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 82 camping trails in Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park and the most popular is Hatonosu Gorge - Shiromaru with an average 4.5 star rating from 69 community reviews.

Are there running trails available in Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 38 running trails in Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park and the most popular is Okutama Station - Hatonosu Gorge - Kori Station with an average 4.6 star rating from 300 community reviews.

Are there biking trails available in Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 3 biking trails in Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park and the most popular is Lake Okutama - Hatonosu Station Cycling Route with an average 5.0 star rating from 4 community reviews.