Tokyo’s Beautiful Natural Spots: Explore Okutama and Surroundings

As tourists flocked to Japan’s major tourist attractions last year, many were looking for other, quieter places to enjoy traditional culture and natural beauty in a quieter setting. If you want to escape Tokyo’s famous hustle and bustle for a weekend, you don’t even have to leave the prefecture.

Okutama is a small town west of Tokyo, an hour and a half drive from Shinjuku, filled with stunning mountain scenery, seasonal flora and the warmth of the countryside. This is the perfect place to experience Satoyamaa Japanese word that literally means “mountain village.” In recent years, the term has taken on a deeper philosophical meaning, referring to a sustainable environment that connects the natural and human worlds, where people live in true harmony with nature.

Easily accessible by train, Okutama is just one of the picturesque towns on the Ome Line, a scenic railway line that runs west of Tokyo. It connects Tachikawa Station and Okutama Station, providing easy access to scenic natural spots and passing through numerous charming countryside areas along the way. The Ome Line is home to the Ensenmaru Five Hotel project, which envisions the entire railway line as a conceptual “hotel,” with the station buildings and railway facilities acting as the “front desk.” The ultimate goal of the project is to share these towns’ sustainable ecosystems, natural wonders and unparalleled hospitality with the world.

Read on to learn more about some of the area’s best activities, dining options, and historical sites, all easily accessible from Ome Line stations.

Explore Okutama by bike

One of the best ways to enjoy the majestic beauty of the Okutama Mountains is by bike. Hikinga bicycle rent A shop located near Okutama Station that provides English-speaking guide services on a reservation basis. Your guide will introduce you to Okutama’s history, culture, flora and fauna as you make your way through winding forest paths and quiet riverside streets.

The picturesque journey culminates at Lake Okutama, with its turquoise waters and lush mountains. The scenery of Okutama is beautiful in all seasons, but the red leaves in autumn are particularly charming. Come November, vibrant shades of crimson, orange and yellow decorate and enhance the rich greenery of the area.

A highlight not to be missed when you’re exploring Okutama City by bike is Shiraso Shrine. This ancient shrine is located behind a torii gate near the Okutama Historic Route, and its peaceful atmosphere adds to the sacred atmosphere. The huge sloping limestone above the shrine is a sacred object in itself: Iwakuraconsidered to be the abode of the gods. It was designated as a Tokyo National Monument in 1926.

Farm-to-table cuisine at Satologue

Located in the center of Okutama, Sartrean It’s a farm-to-table restaurant with sauna facilities that perfectly embodies the satoyama culture. Dining room, stamp (The style is TOKIRO and the meaning is “The Road Back to Your True Self”), serving seasonal vegetables harvested from their own garden and fresh, locally sourced river fish. Chefs Yuta Komamine and Kazuki Takaha use French techniques to create exquisite dishes that are visually captivating and unique in flavor.

Before dining, guests can step into the restaurant’s picturesque riverside garden, where the manager and chef can teach you more about organic farming methods, ingredients and local history. Within the premises of Satologue you can also find Fukisui (Stylized as FUKISUI)a wood-fired sauna and open-air bath surrounded by greenery, a water bath with water from the river, and a private lounge for relaxation. Satologue plans to open an overnight guest accommodation building next spring.

Harvest and taste fresh mustard

Located near Satologue, Tokyo Wasabi is a family-owned company that aims to share Okutama’s cherished wasabi tradition with the world. The “Wasabi Brothers” Hitoshi and Tacchan, along with their partner Momo-san, run a wasabi-themed food truck called “Wasabi Shokudo,” which can be found in front of Okutama Station on weekends. They also offer an English-guided “Wasabi Experience”. Passionate about preserving and nurturing the wasabi heritage, the trio have painstakingly hand-restored many of the ancient mustard fields.

While wasabi is a world-famous Japanese spice used in a variety of dishes, few know its deep history, thoughtful harvesting process, and true flavor. Momo and Hitoshi explained that wasabi cultivation is an old tradition in Okutama City because the plant requires pure mountain water, mild temperatures, and ample shade. The porous topography of the area is ideal for plant growth, allowing the mustard to absorb its mineral-rich water.

Discover this gastronomic wonder for yourself while admiring the quiet charm of gurgling water and vibrant bean sprouts from hidden mustard fields. You’ll then taste freshly grated mustard, which is milder and sweeter than store-bought mustard, making it delicious even for those who avoid spicy flavors.

Musashi Ontake Shrine: Mountain Worship and the Wolf God

Mount Ontake has long been a center of spiritual belief in Japan, attracting pilgrims from across the country for more than a thousand years. At its peak is Musashi Ontake Shrinean ancient Shinto spiritual site known for its association with wolves. Big mouth godIt is said that a deified Japanese wolf saved Yamato Takemei. Today these gods are widely known as Great Nusamaattracting believers with their pet dogs.

If you don’t feel like hiking, you can take the scenic cable car to the shrine for stunning panoramic views of the mountains and beyond. In and around the shrine’s gate, you’ll see striking wolf statues, each with a different look and expression.

In addition to adorable pet dogs strolling around the shrine with their owners, you may also spot a Japanese giant flying squirrel in the dense forest on the mountain.

On the way from the cable car station to the shrine, you will find like (Shrine accommodation) Its history dates back to the Edo period. For centuries, these residences have welcomed believers and priests who traveled from far and wide to rejuvenate their bodies and minds with baths and meals made from local ingredients.

Visit Tokyo’s oldest sake brewery

Another must-visit spot along the Ome Line is Ozawa Brewery Near Sawai Station. The school was founded in 1702 and has a history of more than 300 years. It is the oldest school in China. brewing (sake brewery) located in the Tokyo area. Ozawa Brewery offers free guided tours to the public. Here’s a rare behind-the-scenes look at the art of sake brewing, which has been practiced in Japan for thousands of years and was recently declared a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The brewery’s flagship brand “Sawai” inherits the name of the Sawai area. Sawai is located on the banks of the Tama River, famous for its mineral-rich waters. The logo of Sawanoi is Zevagani (freshwater crab) symbolizes purity. In fact, one of the secrets of the brewery’s success over the centuries has been the horizontal wells that provided mineral-rich spring water. The building retains its original wooden structure and thick earthen walls, naturally preserving temperature-stable sake.

What’s unique about Ozawa Sake Brewery is not just its environment; It is also known for its religious and serious approach to brewing. this Cang people (Brewery workers) start each day by praying at the shrine atop the brewery gate and carefully complete each step of the long brewing process. The outer layer of the rice grains, which is shed during the meticulous “polishing” process, is rich in protein and fat and can be reused in a variety of foods, e.g. space and agriculture.

After the tour, you can visit the shops, restaurants, and sake tasting spots in the garden attached to the Tama Riverside Brewery.

Nipponia Kosuge: Traditional Farmhouse Accommodation

It is about a 30-minute drive from Okutama, the terminal station of the Ome Line. Kosugamura Located in Kosuge City, Shanxi Prefecture, it’s a peaceful place to stay after a long day of adventure. This upscale inn combines the rustic charm of a 150-year-old wooden farmhouse with sleek modern design and comfortable amenities. Nipponia Kosuge, affectionately known as “a village in a hotel of 700 people,” operates with the enthusiastic support of its villagers.

The spacious rooms in the main hotel building are perfect for families and couples who want to escape the city and immerse themselves in the idyllic rustic surroundings. The cottage-style loft intentionally blends modernist furnishings with old fixtures to evoke nostalgia and wonder. Guests can also explore the town with a local guide and soak in the nearby outdoor hot spring baths.

exist Genryu Kaiseki Level 24A cozy fine-dining restaurant connected to the main building, you can enjoy creative cuisine using fresh local ingredients. The restaurant also offers Japanese room service in the morning, including nutritious vegetables, proteins and steaming miso soup.

Whether you’re making a quick stop in Nipponia during your trip to western Tokyo or decide to relax there for a few days, the hotel is sure to provide you with an unforgettable experience.

For more information on the Ensen Marugoto hotel project along the Ome Line, please go to their Instagram.

For information on Satologue, check out their website and Instagram.

More information

Sartrean
Lunch: 11:00–12:45, 13:30–15:15
Sauna: 9:00–12:00, 12:30–15:30
Rest time: Tuesday, Wednesday
Tel: 0428-85-9310
Services and hours may change once the accommodation building opens.

Hiking bike tours and rentals
Business hours: 9:00–17:00
Closed days: Mondays and Tuesdays (except public holidays) or inclement weather
Cycling season: March to December
Tel: 080-1024-4617

Tokyo Wasabi
Query: [email protected]

Ozawa Sake Brewery
Brewery tours are free, but reservations are required.
Tel: 0428-78-8215
More details here.