Mount Mitake (Tokyo)

Mountain Tokyo mountain with historic Musashi-Mitake Shrine

On the western rim of Tokyo’s mountain network, Mount Mitake hosts Musashi-Mitake Shrine, short forest hikes, a cable car and weekend rock-climbing and bouldering activity for city escapees.

Main image
Autmn foliage @ Mount Mitake @ Hike from Mitake to Okutama (10181583855).jpg
Giant zelkova tree of Mount Mitake Ome Tokyo.jpg
Melting snow @ Trail from Mount Hinode to Mount Mitake (13438741503).jpg
Mitake (11167763286).jpg
Mitake (11167773146).jpg
Mitake Shrine (13438738633).jpg
Mitake Shrine (13438738813).jpg
Mitake Shrine (13438960994).jpg
Mitakekannji.png
Mitakesan 2010.11.18.JPG

Mount Mitake is a forested peak in western Tokyo, within Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park. The summit area is centered on a historic Shinto shrine and is a well-known day-hiking destination for Tokyo residents.

Trails of varying difficulty link the base to the summit and a short cable car reduces the ascent for many visitors; the summit precinct includes the Musashi-Mitake Shrine and timbered walkways. Hikers often continue from Mitake along ridges to neighboring peaks and scenic areas such as rock gardens and stream valleys.

The summit shrine has served as a mountain-religion site for centuries and the area has long been used by pilgrims and mountain practitioners; modern recreational use increased in the 20th century with better transport links.

Located in the western part of Tokyo Metropolis, Mount Mitake is accessed by train to the trailhead at Mitake and then the local cable car or footpath. It lies within a protected national-park landscape of forests and ridgelines northwest of central Tokyo.

  • Cable car access: A cable car from the base area lifts visitors partway up the slope, making the summit accessible to non-hikers.
  • Best seasons: Autumn leaf color and spring greenery are two of the most popular times to visit for day hikes and shrine visits.

What to See #

  • Musashi-Mitake Shrine: A mountain-top Shinto shrine with stone steps and small structures that form the focal point of pilgrimage to the summit.
Mount Mitake (Tokyo)
Mount Mitake (Mitakesan), Ōme / western Tokyo, Japan (site of Musashi-Mitake Shrine; access via cable car from Mitake station)
35.7833, 139.1500

How to Get to Mount Mitake (Tokyo) #

From central Tokyo (Shinjuku) take the JR Chuo Line/Tokyo→Tachikawa and transfer to the JR Ome Line to Mitake Station - the whole journey is about 90 minutes by train. From JR Mitake Station it is a 5-10 minute walk to the Mitake Tozan Railway (cable car) station at Takimoto; the cable car runs up toward the shrine area on Mount Mitake and short trails from the upper station lead to the summit and ridge walks. By car it’s reachable from western Tokyo via Route 16 and local mountain roads; allow roughly 1.5-2 hours depending on traffic.

Tips for Visiting Mount Mitake (Tokyo) #

  • Take the JR Ome Line to Mitake Station and use the short shuttle/bus or walk to the Mitake Cable Car-riding the cable car saves a steep lower ascent and gets you to the shrine area quickly.
  • On weekends the summit area and shrine fill up; aim to arrive well before 9:00 a.m. on busy days to enjoy the Musashi-Mitake Shrine and the Rock Garden with fewer people.
  • If you have time, extend the hike along the ridge to Mount Odake for broader views-many visitors stop at the shrine and miss this classic ridgeline walk.

Best Time to Visit Mount Mitake (Tokyo) #

Visit from spring through autumn for the best hiking and views; expect weekend crowds at the shrine and cable car.

Spring
April-June · 8-20°C
Cool, comfortable hiking conditions and new greenery; weekends can be busy for the shrine and cable car.
Summer
July-August · 20-30°C
Warm weather for mountain walks; expect higher humidity and steady visitor numbers on holidays.
Autumn
September-November · 5-18°C
Crisp air and attractive autumn foliage in October-November; one of the most popular times for daytrips from Tokyo.

Weather & Climate near Mount Mitake (Tokyo) #

Climate

Mount Mitake (Tokyo)'s climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 27°C. Abundant rainfall (1478 mm/year), wettest in August.

Best Time to Visit
AugustJulyDecember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
37°
Warmest Month
-8°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm).

58 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-4°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

35 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
9.9h daylight

February

February is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-4°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

50 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.8h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

60 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

82 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
15°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

105 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
13.0h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (128 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

62 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
10° 19°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

128 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
13.9h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 14°C. Significant rainfall (191 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
14° 22°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

191 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
14.4h daylight

July

July is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (168 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

68 Good

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
18° 25°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

168 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.6
UV Index
Very High
14.1h daylight

August

August is the warmest month with highs of 27°C and lows of 19°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (235 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
19° 27°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

235 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.7
UV Index
Very High
13.3h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 16°C. Heavy rain (226 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

64 Good

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
16° 23°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

226 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
12.3h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (159 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

60 Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
18°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

159 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
11.2h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

62 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

69 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.5
UV Index
Low
10.2h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm).

68 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

30 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.7h daylight

Nearby Attractions to Mount Mitake (Tokyo)