Ome City
in
Tokyo
1

Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park

SpringThe Japanese plum tree(ume) heralds spring,blooming across Ome Plum
Park in late February, before
the cherry blossoms.
Spring is mild, and ideal for hiking
in the mountains and exploring
the sights. Azaleas bloom
throughout Ome in late Apriland early May. Shiofune Kannon
Temple to the east of Ome isfamous for its azalea gardens.

Summer
The hot summer weather is perfect forfishing and water sports on the TamaRiver, and for exploring Mitake Gorge. The
summit of Mt. Mitake is usually several
degrees cooler than downtown Tokyo,
providing a refreshing summer escape.
Hydrangeas bloom in June, when the rainyseason brings misty conditions to the mountains.
Between July and September, a large colony of renge
shoma, or false anemone, blooms in the hills near thesummit of the mountain. Performances of Daidai Kagura,a form of Shinto dance, are held at Mitake Musashi Shrine
at the summit of Mt. Mitake from June through November.

1

Ome City in Tokyo

The Four Seasons of Ome

Ome is located in the Okutama Mountains to the far west of Tokyo.

The area has a subtropical climate of warm summers and cool winters,with light snowfall limited to the upper reaches of the mountains.

Fall
Autumn brings pleasant conditions for hiking
and other outdoor activities. Visitors come to
Mitake Gorge to admire the fall foliage. Japanesemaples and gingko trees are among the mostcolorful trees at this time of year, andthere are impressive specimens in
the gardens of the Yoshikawa Eiji
Museum and the Gyokudo Art
Museum.

WinterJanuary is the sunniest month of theyear in Ome, with brisk and invigorating
weather. The winter sky is usually clear,so visitors can see all the way to Tokyo’scity center from mountain vantage points.
Shrines and temples in the area are busy
with visitors praying for good fortune for theyear ahead. Snow is uncommon in the valley, but
hikers in the mountains should be prepared forsnowy conditions and dress appropriately.

2Ome area Map

Kori St.
awa

Mitake・Sawai area

Kawai St.

Rive

r

Tama
g

Fishing Center

Takimoto St.

Baba Oshi
Residence

10 Mitake Tozan

Musashi
Mitake Shrine
Treasure Hall

Mitakesan St.

5

Musashi
Mitake Shrine

411

Ishigamimae St.

21 Yoshikawa Eiji

Ome St.

Memorial Museum Hinatawada St.

Mt.Mitake

15 Ome City Mitake▲

Ome City Hall

22 Ome Kimono

Mt.HinodeMuseumkearea

23 Ome Plum Park▲

3

Higashi-Ome St.

Miyanohira St.

Community Center▲

NanayoFalls

SeiryuGarden18 Kanzanji
Temple11 MitakeGorge
13 Gyokudo
Art Museum

M
ita

Ayahirofalls

Ancient zelkova treent

Tengu rock

Railway

17 Sawanoi

Ome CityM
ou3

Art Gallery

Futamatao St.

a4

14 Kajikaen

Mitake Visitor
Center

Ikusabata St.

are1

Mitake St.

JROme Line

igo

2

Renge Shoma
ﬂowersSawai St.

Ba

6

Brewery

20 Okutama Bridgeo7

Mitake Daira
Plaza

KanzashiMuseumhin

8

16 Ozawa Sake

s
Yo

9

19 Kushi

12 Okutama

4Contents

The Four Seasons of Ome

P1

Ome area Map

P3Contents

P5

Mt. Mitake area Map

P6

Introduction to Mt. Mitake

P7

Flora and Fauna on Mt. Mitake

P8

Hiking on Mt. Mitake

P9

Shukubo temple lodgings on Mt. Mitake

P10

1． Musashi Mitake Shrine

P11

2． Musashi Mitake Shrine Treasure Hall P12
3.

The Rock Garden: Ayahiro Falls

P13

4． Tengu Rock

P14

5.

Ancient Zelkova Tree

P15

6.

Baba Oshi Residence

P16

7． Mitake Visitor Center

P17

8.

Renge Shoma Flowers

P18

9.

Mitake Daira Plaza

P19

10． Mitake Tozan Railway

P20

Mitake・Sawai area Map

P21

11． Mitake Gorge

P23

12． Okutama Fishing Center

P24

13． Gyokudo Art Museum

P25

14． Kajikaen Art Gallery

P26

15． Ome City Mitake Community Center

P27

16． Ozawa Sake Brewery

P28

17． Sawanoi Seiryu Garden

P29

18． Kanzanji Temple

P30

19． Kushi Kanzashi Museum

P31

Yoshino Baigo area Map

P32

20． Okutama Bridge

P34

21． Yoshikawa Eiji Memorial Museum

P35

22． Ome Kimono Museum

P36

23． Ome Plum Park

P37

Colophon

P38
5

Takimoto St.

Mt. Mitake area Map

10 Mitake Tozan Railway
御岳登山鉄道

9 Mitake Daira Plaza
御岳平

Chairlift

8 Renge Shoma ﬂowers

Mitakesan St.

レンゲショウマColony of
Katakuri ﬂower

7 Mitake Visitor Center

MitakeFureai Center

御岳ビジターセンター

6 Baba Oshi Residence

Ancient
zelkova tree 5

御師住宅 東馬場家

Musashi Mitake Shrine
2 Treasure Hall

神代ケヤキ

Onna Zaka
slope

武蔵御嶽神社 宝物殿

1 Musashi Mitake Shrine
武蔵御嶽神社 社殿

Towards
Mt. Hinode

StairsNagao Chaya
Nagaodairacrossroads

Nagaodairaobservatory

Nanayo falls

4 Tengu rock

天狗岩

Rock
garden3 Ayahiro falls

Towards
Mt. Otake

※

綾広の滝

6

Rock garden routeIntroduction to Mt. Mitake
Mt. Mitake (929 m) has a long history as a center ofspiritual belief. The sacred mountain has attracted
pilgrims for thousands of years and is now also
popular with hikers and sightseers. The heavily
forested mountain is part of the Chichibu-TamaKai National Park, which covers parts of Saitama,
Nagano, and Yamanashi prefectures, and Tokyo. At
the summit, Musashi Mitake Shrine venerates themountain and its associated deities.

Shukubo lodgings

Hiking on Mt. Mitake

A small community lives near the mountain

There are several hiking trails on Mt. Mitake

summit, including the priests of Musashi

of varying difficulty. A number of these

Mitake Shrine and their families, who run

routes start at the base of the steps leadingpilgrim lodges (shukubo). These lodges

to Musashi Mitake Shrine. The Rock Garden

provide an opportunity to experience

trail is the most popular. The 1.5-kilometer

simple, traditional hospitality, and sometrail loops through the valley past Ayahiro

offer experiences such as takigyo

Falls and Nanayo Falls. Hiking routes

waterfall meditation.

range from 30 minutes to 2 hours
and are signposted in English.
Hiking maps are available at the
Mitake Visitor Center on themountain.

Flora and fauna
Mt. Mitake is home to a diverse
range of plant and animal life,
including cherry blossoms in spring
and renge shoma (false anemone) flowers
in summer. Visitors who stay overnight
might spot the nocturnal musasabi, a
giant flying squirrel. The mountain is also
home to deer, wild boar, and Japaneseserow. Visitors can hike to the top of Mt.
Mitake from the foot of the mountain in
about 60 minutes, or take a cable car, whichreaches Mitakesan Station in 6 minutes.

7

Flora and Fauna on Mt. Mitake

Rhododendron dilatatum

Japanese serow, black bear, and tanuki (Japanese raccoondog) live in the dense mizunara oak, cedar, and fir foreststhat cover Mt. Mitake. The forests are also home to two
species of nocturnal flying squirrel. The musasabi giant
flying squirrel can grow to 80 centimeters from the tip of its
nose to the very end of its tail, while its smaller relative, themomonga dwarf flying squirrel is around 25 centimeters long.

Japanese giant
flying squirrel

Dozens of bird species inhabit the forests, andin summer, sharp-eyed bird watchers might spot the yellow-bellied narcissus

Narcissus
flycatcher

flycatcher, which is about the same size as a sparrow, near mountainstreams. The long-tailed rosefinch, often seen in winter, is similar insize; the males have red plumage, while the females are brown.
There are eight species of snakes on the mountain. The largest
is the nonvenomous Japanese rat snake, which can grow up to
two meters long. Two species are venomous: the yamakagashi
tiger keelback and the Japanese pit
viper. The Mitake Visitor Center
provides information on
snakes and other animals in
the area.
Numerous species of flowers
bloom in the area through springand summer. Pink, fringed
shortia flowers can be found inrocky areas from late April into
May. Delicate purple renge shoma(false anemone) flower on themountainside through the summer
months.
*Photo provided by Mitake Visitor Center

Japanese serow

8

Hiking on Mt. Mitake

Mt. Mitake has numerous hiking routes, ranging fromgentle rambles to more challenging treks that require
planning and preparation. A number of these routes startat the base of the steps leading to Musashi Mitake Shrine.
One of the most popular hiking routes takes visitors
through a valley where they can see the Rock Garden, a
picturesque section of the stream with moss-covered rocks,
before reaching the Ayahiro Falls. This
circular route returns to the shrine and takes
around two hours to complete.
More challenging routes include the hike to the peak of Mt. Odake(1,266 m) which takes around 60 minutes from the Rock Garden,or to Okunoin (1,077 m), a peak with a small shrine, which takes
around 40 minutes from the trailhead at Musashi Mitake Shrine.
Expect some steep sections
on both routes. Mt.
Hinode (902 m) is
another popular
hike, which takes lessthan an hour from the trailhead near Musashi
Mitake Shrine. Many hikers finish with a visit
to Tsuru-tsuru Onsen hot spring.
The majority of hiking routes are on
rough trails, and appropriate footwear
and clothing is strongly recommended.
The Mitake Visitor Center provides
hiking maps, as well as information about
weather, trail conditions, and the local
flora and fauna that hikers might encounter.

9

Shukubo temple lodgings on Mt. Mitake

Consider staying at one of the shukubo (pilgrim
lodgings) on Mt. Mitake to experience local
hospitality and Shinto practices. Originallybuilt for pilgrims visiting holy sites around
Japan, many shukubo now welcome
visitors.
Mt. Mitake has been a destination forpilgrims for over a thousand years. The
shukubo lodgings close to the peak aremanaged by families who have served
as priests at Musashi Mitake Shrine forgenerations.
A shukubo lodging is typically quite simple,
with tatami flooring and futon beds. Most of the
shukubo on Mt. Mitake serve meals with seasonal
ingredients, including fish from the Tama River andvegetables and herbs grown in the mountains.
Some lodgings on Mt. Mitake offer the opportunity to experience takigyo, theritual cleansing of the mind, body, and soul through meditation beneatha waterfall. After morning prayers at the shukubo, guests are guided
through the forest to Ayahiro Falls to complete the ritual. On the
fourth Sunday of each month from June to November, guests
can watch evening performances of kagura, Shinto ritual
dancing and music, performed at Musashi Mitake Shrine.

10

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Musashi Mitake ShrineaMusashi Mitake Shrine is a destination for pilgrimage and ascetic
mountain training, with a history that spans two thousand years. The
shrine is located at the peak of Mt. Mitake (929 m). Several deities are
venerated here, including Okuchimagami, a wolf deity, and Zao Gongen,the principal deity of Shugendo, a mountain religion that draws on
Shinto, Buddhism, Daoism, and asceticism. The Treasure Hall houses aMusashi
Mitake Shrine
Treasure Hall
Onna Zaka
slope

collection of swords and armor, many dedicated to the shrine by samurai
in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.
The haiden, or worship hall, has been rebuilt several times. The
hall used to face south towards the samurai capital of Kamakura in
Kanagawa Prefecture during the Kamakura period (1185–1333). Later,

1

2

Ancient
zelkova tree

5

StairsMusashi Mitake Shrinein the seventeenth century when Edo (present-day Tokyo) became the

Nagao Chaya

center of power for the Tokugawa shogunate, the worship hall was rebuilt and rotated 45 degrees to face east, toprotect the shogun’s capital.
A path from the left side of the main hall leads to a series of smaller shrines. Tokiwa Kakiwasha Shrine (built
in 1511) is the largest, painted black with gilded details. It enshrines the deities of all
47 prefectures of Japan. At the rear of the complex is a shrine dedicated to thewolf deity Okuchimagami, who is said to have saved a legendary warrior
in the mountains here in the first century CE. Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543–
1616), the first shogun of this period, is enshrined in the Toshosha, asmall wooden shrine marked with a pair of gilded Tokugawa crests.

Information

address

176 Mt. Mitake, Ome City, Tokyo

phone numbe0428-78-8500

11

VOICE GUIDANCE

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Musashi Mitake Shrine Treasure Halla

The Treasure Hall displays a number of important historical items that were dedicated toMusashi Mitake Shrine between the Heian period (794–1185) and the Edo period (1603–1867).
These treasures include suits of armor, swords, and a decorated saddle. The hall contains two
National Treasures, along with Important Cultural Properties and Tangible Cultural Properties.
A statue of the samurai Hatakeyama Shigetada (1164–1205) on horseback stands in front of theTreasure Hall. This warlord is believed to have dedicated his armor to the shrine in 1191. The suit ofarmor, known as the akaito odoshiyoroi or “red thread armor,” is made of small plates of iron andleather bound together with red silk cord. A National Treasure, it was produced in the late Heianperiod, and is one of the oldest intact sets of Japanese armor in the world.
In 1234, Emperor Shijo (the 87th emperor) presented an ornate war saddle to the shrine. The
lacquered wooden saddle is inlaid with circles of mother-of-pearl. It is known as a kagami kura, or
mirror saddle. It takes its name from the pommel and cantle, which are clad in gilt copper, polished
to a mirror-like finish. This saddle is also a National Treasure.
A mikoshi portable shrine on display was dedicated by the shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi (1646–1709).
The mikoshi is decorated with the Tokugawa family crest of three hollyhock leaves and is topped with fivegilded phoenixes. A reproduction of the mikoshi is used in the annual Hinode sunrise festival (May 8) tomark the opening of Mt. Mitake for climbing and Shugendo training. The festival is one of Musashi Mitake
Shrine’s main celebrations, and features a procession of people dressed in samurai costumes.
In addition to the displays of artifacts, a video exhibition features performances of Daidai
Kagura, a form of Shinto ritual dance and music.
Performances take place at Musashi Mitake Shrine
between June and November each year. The shrine
priests and their families have been performing
Daidai Kagura for 32 generations, since theInformation

business hours

phone numbe

Regular holiday

VOICE GUIDANCE

9:30-16:00

Edo period (1603–1867). The dance form is an
Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Tokyo.

Mon-Fri

The Treasure Hall is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4
p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.

12

address

176 Mt. Mitake, Ome City, Tokyo

0428-78-8500

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The Rock Garden: Ayahiro Fallsa

Onna Zaka
slope

2

The wooden torii gate with a shimenawa rope that stands

5

StairsNagao Chaya

in front of Ayahiro Falls indicates that the area is considered

Nagaodairacrossroads

sacred. The falls cascade around ten meters into a plunge pool

Nagaodairaobservatory

encircled by rocks.
Priests and pilgrims visit the falls to practice takigyo, theNanayo falls

ritual cleansing of the mind, body, and soul through meditation4

beneath the cascading water. Several shukubo lodgings on Mt.
Mitake offer a morning takigyo experience for their guests. The
practice involves specific prayers and rituals, and so cannot be
undertaken without guidance.
The waterfall flows into a stream in a narrow valley of moss-

3

Rock
gardenTengu rockAyahiro falls

Towards
Mt. Otakecovered rocks surrounding a picturesque section of the stream
known as the Rock Garden. A number of hiking routes start at the base of the steps leading toMusashi Mitake Shrine, and the Rock Garden trail is the most popular. The 1.5-kilometer trail loops
through the valley past Ayahiro Falls and Nanayo Falls. On the way to
Ayahiro Falls, hikers can see an outcropping known as Tengu Rock(Tengu-iwa), shaped like the long nose of the mythical bird-likegoblin called a tengu. These tengu are believed to protect theforests and mountains.

Information

address

Mt. Mitake, Ome City, Tokyo

Access by public transport VOICE GUIDANCE

About 1 hour and 30 minutes
on foot from Mitake Tozan
Railway Mitakesan Station

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Tengu RockaTengu Rock (Tengu-iwa) is a large outcrop said toresemble the distinctive long nose of a tengu, a bird-likegoblin found in traditional folk tales and literature.
Tengu are often depicted with avian characteristics
such as wings and a beak. They can also be depicted
in more human form, dressed in the robes of a
yamabushi mountain priest with a red face and a longnose. Tengu are regarded as guardians of mountains
and forests.
Step-like tree roots cover the surface of the rock,and there is a chain for climbing. The surface is slipperywhen wet. A bronze statue of a tengu in avian form isaffixed to the top of the rock, and is visible from the trail
below. A metal staircase near Tengu
Rock leads to Nanayo Falls.

Information

address

Mt. Mitake, Ome City, Tokyo

Access by public transport VOICE GUIDANCE
About 50 minutes on footfrom Mitake Tozan Railway
Mitakesan Station

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Ancient Zelkova Treea

The zelkova tree (Zelkova serrata or Japanese elm) on
the approach to Musashi Mitake Shrine is believed to be

MitakeFureai Center

tall, with a circumference over 8 meters, and is likely one of thelargest zelkova trees in Japan. A shimenawa rope with shide
paper streamers has been placed around the trunk, signifying

Mitake Visitor
Center7

approximately a thousand years old. The tree is about 30 meters

Baba Oshi
Residence

6

that the tree is sacred and that Shinto kami dwell within.
According to local stories, the tree was planted in the first
century CE by the legendary warrior Yamato Takeru, the sonof the twelfth emperor, Keiko. Trees that have survived overAncient
zelkova tree5

hundreds of years through wars and natural disasters arerevered as symbols of resilience andOnna Zaka
slope

as living connections to the past. Zelkova wood is prized amongcraftsmen for its durability, flexibility, and attractive
grain. It is often used in traditional furniture, and forshrine and temple architecture.

Information

address

145 Mt. Mitake, Ome City,
Tokyo

15

VOICE GUIDANCE

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Baba Oshi ResidenceaThe head of the Baba family has served for many
generations since 1659 as a priest at Musashi Mitake Shrineand served in the hereditary role of oshi, part of which
involves providing accommodation for important patronsof the shrine. The Baba residence is both a shukubo, or
pilgrim lodging, and a family home. It is one of the oldest
residences on Mt. Mitake and is largely unchanged since
it was built in 1866.
The Baba residence has five tatami rooms. The rooms
have decorative alcoves and shelves to display precious
items, exposed wooden beams, and earthen walls in a style
typical of samurai and aristocratic residences in the early
Edo period (1603–1867). One of the rooms holds a shrine where
purification rituals were conducted for pilgrims before they visited
Musashi Mitake Shrine. The shrine is still used for such ceremonies. The
rooms are separated by sliding doors under hand-carved wooden ranma (transom panels), whichallow light and air to flow between the rooms. Under the house is a large cellar, which was used forcold storage before the introduction of refrigerators.
Known locally as “Higashibaba,” the house is now occupied by the
fourteenth generationof the Baba family,

Information

who operate it asboth a lodging
and a teahouse.

business hours

phone number

Regular holiday

VOICE GUIDANCE

Check-in 15:00 / Check-out 10:00

The residence is aTangible Cultural

Irregular holidays

Property of Tokyo.

address

54 Mitakesan, Ome City, Tokyo Prefecture

160428-78-8446

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Mitake Visitor CenteraMitake Visitor Center provides maps of hiking trails in thesurrounding mountains and information on local flora and fauna.
Displays on the first floor introduce the animal life on Mt. Mitake, which
includes several species of snakes, as well as deer, Japaneseserows, and endemic flying squirrels. The center also has
information on the mountain scenery and weather
conditions.
A large touch screen display provides multilingual
information about the flora and fauna. Visitors canpick up trail maps for hiking and pamphlets about
nearby attractions.
The second floor has exhibitions on the history ofhuman life on the mountain, including large photographsof people who once lived on
the mountain, some fromover a century ago, alongwith replicas of the equipment that people fashioned totransport goods up the steep mountain trails.

Information

business hours
9:00 - 16:30

Regular holiday

Mondays, year-end and New Yearholidays (If Monday is a holiday, thefollowing Tuesday will be closed)

address

38-5 Mt. Mitake, Ome City, Tokyo17

phone number

0428-78-9363

VOICE GUIDANCE

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Renge Shoma FlowersaThe delicate renge shoma (Anemonopsis macrophylla; false
anemone) is a woodland perennial native to Japan. Today renge
shoma flowers are only found in a handful of forested uplandson the Pacific side of central Honshu. The colony of around50,000 plants on Mt. Mitake (above Mitake Daira Plaza) is thelargest in the Kanto region.
In full bloom, the pale lavender flowers resemble miniature
lotus blossoms (renge means “lotus”). The flowers are related
to the buttercup, and thrive in cool, damp climates. They bloom
between July and early
September. During

10 Mitake Tozan

Railway

Takimoto St.

MitakeDaira Plaza
Chairlift98Mitakesan St.

Renge Shoma
ﬂowersColony of
Katakuri ﬂower

the floweringseason, visitors can view them along a wellmarked forest trail from Mitake Daira Plaza.

Information

address

Mt. Mitake, Ome City, Tokyo

Access by public transport

15 minutes on foot from Mitake
Tozan Railway Mitakesan Station

18

VOICE GUIDANCE

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Mitake Daira Plazaa

The square in front of Mitakesan Station cable car stop serves as a rest
area with public restrooms. Benches and tables are shaded by wisteriavines, and there are souvenir shops and restaurants.
An observation area affords views over the Kanto Plain andcentral Tokyo. On a clear day it is possible to see Tokyo Skytree about
80 kilometers away. There are two coin-operated binoculars. A large
panoramic photograph indicates the positions of major landmarks in the
distance.
Signs around the plaza indicate the main points
of interest and hiking routes. A small chair lift operates on
weekends and public holidays to take visitors to a higher viewing
platform. The main path toMusashi Mitake Shrine
starts from behind
Mitakesan
Station.

Information

address

Mt. Mitake, Ome City, Tokyo

Access by public transport VOICE GUIDANCE
1 minutes on foot from Mitake
Tozan Railway Mitakesan
Station

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Mitake Tozan RailwayaA cable car takes visitors between Takimoto Station at the baseof Mt. Mitake and Mitakesan Station near the summit, at analtitude of 831 meters. The 1.1-kilometer journey takes about 6
minutes, saving visitors an ascent of around an hour on foot.
On the way, passengers can enjoy views of themountainside. As the cable car passes through a forestof oak, cedar, and fir trees, it may be possible to spot
deer, wild boars, and tanuki (racoon dogs), which arenative to Japan. Both stations have souvenir shops andrestrooms. Visitors can buy cable car tickets at ticket
machines, which have English display options.
For children living on the mountain, the cable car
is part of the daily school commute. The line operates
seven days a week, although it is sometimes suspended inbad weather or after an earthquake for safety checks.

Information

business hours

phone number

Regular holiday

VOICE GUIDANCE

7:30 - 18:30

open all year roundaddress

2-483 Mitake Ome City, Tokyo

200428-78-8121

川
大沢

21

Mitake1

Mitake Bridge

MitakeBridgeMitakeSt.

青梅市御岳交流センター

Ome City Mitake
15 Community Center

玉堂美術館

13 Gyokudo Art Museum

Mitake Post oﬃce

Mitake2

Mitake Honcho

河鹿園

Kajikaen
14 Art Gallery

奥多摩フィッシングセンター

Sawai3

Okutama Fishing
12
Center

River
wa
ga

Ta
m
a

Kushi Kanzashi
19
Museum

清流ガーデン澤乃井園

Yugimachi2

StationEntrance

193

Mitake・Sawai area Map

Kanzanji Temple 18
寒山寺

Yugimachi3

Ikusabata Ohashi
Bridge South

Ikusabata
Ohashi Bridgeo RoadYoshino Kaid

櫛かんざし美術館

45

ad
Ome Kaido Ro

e
e Lin
JR Om

Sawai1

Ikusabata St.

Sawanoi Seiryu Garden 17

411

Sawai2

Sawai St. Square
Post Oﬃce

Ozawa Sake Brewery 16
小澤酒造

Sawai St.

Yakumo Shrine

御岳渓流

Mitake Gorge 11

Hiramizo RiverMitake . Sawai area

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Mitake Gorge

The Tama River twists and turns for four kilometers through Mitake
Gorge, which is within the boundaries of Chichibu-Tama-Kai National
Park. A walking path through the gorge covers a loop between Okutama
Fishing Center and JR Ikusabata Station. The path connects several
local attractions including the Ozawa Sake Brewery, Sawanoi Seiryu
Garden, Kanzanji Temple, Gyokudo Art Museum, and Kajikaen. It takes
about three hours to walk the entire course.
Every year, the Mitake Gorge Autumn Colors Festival includes events such as guided
hiking tours, art exhibitions, and craft stalls. At night, the trees along the river are lit up.
Historically, the Tama River has played a key role in the lives of thepeople in Ome. The river is fed by mountain springs that provide purewater used in local sake production. Before Tokyo’s highway system
was developed, the logging industry used the Tama River’s strong
current to transport timber from the mountains to mills in easternTokyo. Today, the river is mainly used
for recreation. Along the gorge
visitors can fish, navigate its
rapids in canoes, or rent
stand-up paddle-boards toenjoy the more placid stretches.

Information

address

Ome City, Tokyo

Access by public transport

The upstream is from midway
between Mitake Station and Kawai
Station, and the downstream is alittle upstream of Ikusabata Station.

23

VOICE GUIDANCE

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Okutama Fishing Center

Visitors can reel in seasonal fish such as rainbow
trout, yamame trout, or char along a one-kilometer
stretch of the Tama River at the Okutama Fishing
Center. Experienced anglers can use flies or lures on
the faster-flowing stretches of the river. Upstream,a series of pools have been excavated from theriverbed and stocked with fish. These are popularwith novice fishers and families. Visitors canbring their own equipment or rent fishing poles
and nets onsite. Near the car park is an accessiblearea designed for families with young children andvisitors with physical limitations that includes two
fishing ponds.
Visitors can cook their catch at the barbecue
facilities within sight of the river. Staff are available toclean and prepare the fish for cooking. The center is open
in all seasons, and is popular in spring and fall when trout are attheir most active.

Information

business hours

phone number

Thursdays from December to February "Lure,
Fly, Tenkara Catch & Release Business"

VOICE GUIDANCE

7:00 - 16:00 (December to February 7:30 -)Regular holiday

None (closed only from December 29th to January 2nd)

address

2-333 Mitake, Ome City, Tokyo

240428-78-8393

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Gyokudo Art Museum

Works by painter Kawai Gyokudo (1873–1957) are displayed at the
Gyokudo Art Museum, which opened in 1961. Gyokudo is regarded asa leader among modern painters of the Nihonga style. The extensive
museum collection ranges from his earliest nature studies dating fromwhen he was only 15, to some of the last pieces he worked on at the endof his life. The artist moved to Ome in 1944, and lived next to a section of
rapids on the Tama River.
The museum has a collection of more than 300 works, including
detailed studies of animals and flowers. Gyokudo was a master of the Nihonga style, using
traditional Japanese painting techniques with a modern approach to themes and subject matter.
His landscapes often included people going about their daily work, adding a sense of scale andnarrative to the scenery. The works at the museum are rotated to match the seasons.
A replica of Gyokudo’s studio in the museum includes a partially completed work on a large
easel. The studio is filled with the brushes, pots of paint, mixing dishes, and other paraphernalia ofa professional artist.
The studio looks out across a well-tended karesansui (dry landscape)garden, which is composed of boulders from the river beyond thegarden. A large Japanese maple tree shades the corner near thestudio. The garden has been recognized as one of the best
examples of karesansui design in Tokyo.

Information

business hours(March to November) 10:00 - 17:00 /(December to February) 10:00 - 16:30(last admission 30 minutes before closing)

Regular holiday

Mondays (the next day if Monday is a holiday)

address

1-75 Mitake, Ome City, Tokyo25

phone number

0428-78-8335

VOICE GUIDANCE

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Kajikaen Art Gallery

Kajikaen is a former inn (ryokan) that has been
repurposed as an art gallery. Built on the north bank of
the Tama River in 1925, it was expanded during the
Showa era (1926–1989). Each guest room is designed
in sukiya-zukuri style, a refined style distinguishedby tatami flooring, a tokonoma alcove, andstaggered shelves for displaying decorative objects
and artworks. The carved cedar transom panels
contribute to the luxurious atmosphere.
The current owner transformed the inn into agallery to exhibit his vast collection of artworks andceramics dating from the Edo period (1603–1867) to the
Meiji era (1868–1912). The 18 guest rooms have been turned
into galleries, with period furniture, ikebana flower arrangements,and views of the Tama River. Kajikaen’s large former bathhouse has also been used as a venue
for contemporary art exhibitions. The main reception area features a hall for seasonal artworks.
Kajikaen is a National Tangible Cultural Property.
Kajikaen is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday.
The admission fee for the permanent exhibition is ¥800.

Information

business hours

phone number(Admission deadline:15:00)

VOICE GUIDANCE

11:00-16:00

Regular holiday
Monday Tuesday

address

335 Mitake Honcho, Ome City, Tokyo26

090-5342-9223

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Ome City Mitake Community Center

Ome City Mitake Community Center is across theroad from Mitake Station, and a few minutes’ walkfrom Mitake Gorge. Visitors can get informationon the sights and recreation opportunities
in Mitake Gorge and the Ome area. There
are pamphlets and hiking maps in several
languages, and information about water sportson the Tama River, including rafting, canoeing,
and kayaking. Some activities start on theriverbank directly below the center.
To the right of the main entrance, a path to theriver leads past a climbing wall that visitors can use
for a small fee. The center has coin lockers, toilets,
and shower facilities, as well as a rest areawith views of the Tama River. The bus stop
for the Mitake Tozan Railway to the top of Mt. Mitake
is a few steps from the center.

Information

business hours
9:00 - 17:00(may be extended during summer)

Regular holiday
3rd Monday,

Year end and New Year holidays

address362-8 Mitake Honcho, Ome City, Tokyo27

phone number

0428-79-0720

VOICE GUIDANCE

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Ozawa Sake Brewery

Tokyo has only nine sake breweries, and Ozawa Sake
Brewery, founded in 1702, is one of the oldest. The brewery
is currently managed by the 23rd generation of the Ozawa
family, and is located in the Sawai district of Ome. The
area is famous for its pure mountain water—critical forthe production of high-quality sake.
 	The brewery occupies several traditional Edo-

period (1603–1867) buildings with thick earthen walls.
The walls keep the interior temperature stable throughout
the year, which is important for preserving the intended flavors
and aromas of sake once it is brewed and ready for consumption. The
brewery produces 30 different varieties of sake. Some of the sake is exported
to the United States, Taiwan, and Singapore.
The brewery offers free tours with advance reservations. Most tours are
conducted in Japanese, with pamphlets about the brewery and brewing process
available in English. Tours conducted in English are offered several times amonth. Visitors are able to receive an explanation of thebrewing process inside the brewery. A tasting room is located in
the Sawanoi Seiryu Garden next to the brewery, where visitors
can sample seasonal varieties.

Information

business hours

phone number

Regular holiday

VOICE GUIDANCE

10:00 - 17:00

Monday (If Monday is a holiday, thefollowing Tuesday will be closed)

address

2-770 Sawai, Ome City, Tokyo

280428-78-8210

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Sawanoi Seiryu Garden

Sawanoi Seiryu Garden is an attractive area on thebanks of the Tama River where visitors can rest andenjoy the scenery of Mitake Gorge, or sample products
from the Ozawa Sake Brewery. The garden has
pavilions with tables and benches, and is a short walkfrom the brewery.
At the tasting room and retail outlet, visitors cantry a wide range of seasonal sake from the brewery.
There are two restaurants in the garden, and stores thatsell local souvenirs such as sweets and pickles. A gallery
exhibits contemporary art and photography by local artists.
Several sights are within easy walking distance, including
the Kushi Kanzashi Museum, the Gyokudo Art Museum, and Kanzanji
Temple.
*There is a charge for tasting sake.

Information

business hours

phone number

Regular holiday

VOICE GUIDANCE

retail outlet 10:00 - 17:00
Monday (If Monday is a holiday, the following weekday)

address

2-770 Sawai, Ome City, Tokyo

290428-78-8210

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Kanzanji Temple

Kanzanji Temple is perched on a steep bluff
overlooking the Tama River. The temple was foundedby calligrapher Taguchi Beiho (1861–1930), on land
donated by Ozawa Tahei, the president of the Ome
Railway Company. Taguchi studied calligraphy in the
1880s at the historic Hanshan Temple and monasteryin Suzhou, China. He was given a wooden figure of the
Shakyamuni Buddha (the historical Buddha) to bringback to Japan.
The figure is enshrined at Kanzanji Temple, which
was completed in 1930. The ceiling of the temple has
been decorated with works by accomplished artists. Eachof the 36 painted panels set into the ceiling is unique, withsubjects including flowers, animals, and landscapes.

Information

address

2-748 Sawai, Ome
City, Tokyo

30

VOICE GUIDANCE

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Kushi Kanzashi Museum

Around 400 traditional hair accessories are on display at the Kushi
Kanzashi Museum, from a collection of over 4,000. The collection
includes kushi combs and elaborate kanzashi hair ornaments from theEdo period (1603–1867) through the Showa era (1926–1989). Many of
the accessories were custom-made for wealthy clients by artists including
Ogata Korin (1658–1716), the father of the Rinpa style of painting whichfeatures subjects from nature (such as flowers) on gilded backgrounds.
The collection highlights the influence of social change on Japanesefashion. Early combs made of tortoiseshell (a banned import during the Edo period) could cost as
much as a house, and were a statement of wealth. As architectural styles became more complex
and decorative during the Edo period, hairstyles became larger and more ornate. But as Japan
modernized in the Meiji era (1868–1912), hair ornaments became smaller and less showy as
women adopted more European hairstyles. The collection continues to the post-war years, when
new materials like celluloid made it possible to offer ornate hair accessories reasonably.
The museum also has a display of portable writing sets (yatate) from the Edo period, formerly
owned by high-ranking samurai and wealthy merchants. Many of these were custom-made fromwood, metal, or ivory, with intricate carvings and inlays.
The museum building is designed to resemble a traditional kura warehouse, with a larger-thanlife kanzashi comb on the front.
The Kushi Kanzashi Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Themuseum is closed
on Mondays andFridays.)

Information

business hours

phone number

Regular holiday

VOICE GUIDANCE

10:00 - 17:00 (Admission until 30 minutes before)
Mondays (next day if Monday is a holiday),Fridays (open on holidays and in November),year-end and New Year holidays, etc.

address

3-764-1 Yugimachi, Ome City, Tokyo

31

0428-77-7051

32

Yugimachi2

奥多摩橋

Line
me

JR O

411

青梅市吉川英治記念館

Sokuseiji Temple

Baigo6

Nishi JuniorHigh School

45

Futamatao1

Baigo4

Baigo4199

青梅市梅の公園

23 Ome Plum Park

Baigo2

Baigo Library
Ome5
Elementary School

Tenman Park

青梅きもの博物館

Hinatawada St.

Jindai Bridge

Yoshino Post Oﬃce

Baigo5

Ome Kimono
22 Museum

Yoshikawa Eiji
Memorial Museum 21

Yoshinoyama Picnic Site

Yugimachi1

iver
awa R
Tamag

Ishigamimae St.

ad
Ome Kaido Ro

Okutama Bridge 20o RordYoshino Kaid

Ome6
Elementary School

Futamatao St.

Futamatao3

Futamatao2

Yoshino Baigo area Map

Yoshino Baigo area

33

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Okutama Bridge

The Okutama Bridge has a 176-meter span
across the Tama River. The bridge traverses thegorge 33 meters above the river, with threeobservation areas along its red-painted span.
It was the largest arch bridge
constructed in Japan before World War II
and served as an important thoroughfare
for communities on both sides of the valley,
who previously had to descend to theriverbed and cross by ferry.
The bridge was completed in 1939. It islisted by Japan’s Civil Engineering Society as
an example of the nation’s civil engineering
heritage. The bridge is a short walk from
Futamatao Station on the Ome Line.

Information

address

Ome City, Tokyo

Access by public transport
Bridge between Yugimachi, Ome
City and Futamatao Station

34

VOICE GUIDANCE

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Yoshikawa Eiji Memorial Museum

Yoshikawa Eiji (1892–1962) is considered one of Japan’s
greatest historical novelists. He wrote more than 100 books during
his prolific career, starting as a newspaper journalist before
moving into historical fiction. He is credited with making Japanese
history accessible to a wide audience, and a number of his novels
such as Musashi have been translated into several languages andmade into popular films.
Yoshikawa’s home has been preserved as a museum. He purchased
the property in 1944 from a wealthy silk producer. He wrote several novels
there, including The Heike Story. The house is spacious, with sliding doors thatallow the rooms to be opened up onto the gardens. A room immediately inside theentrance to the house was used as a study.
Yoshikawa’s main study is a semi-detached Western-style room laid out just as he used
it, with a low table and chair, his papers, and writing implements. A tray holding his cigarettes andan ashtray—which still contains the ash of one of his last cigarettes—are beside the chair.
The museum has a complete collection of Yoshikawa’s more than 100
books, as well as film posters, illustrations, and photographs of
Yoshikawa and his friends. Yoshikawa was awarded the Cultural
Order of Merit in 1960 and the Order of the Sacred Treasure in
1962 for his contributions to Japanese literature.

Information

business hours

phone number

Regular holiday

VOICE GUIDANCE

10:00 - 17:00

Every Monday (if Monday is a national
holiday, then the following weekday), yearend and New Year holidays

address

1-101-1 Yugimachi, Ome City, Tokyo

35

0428-74-9477

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Ome Kimono Museum

The Ome Kimono Museum is housed in a 200-year-old kurastorehouse. The collection of more than 500 rare traditional
garments includes ceremonial kimono worn by members of theimperial family. Much of the collection is rotated to match thechanging seasons.
The permanent exhibition displays the kimono and accessories
worn by Prince Nashimoto (1874–1951) and Princess Itsuko (1879–
1977) for the enthronement ceremony of the Taisho Emperor in 1915. The
garments incorporate designs and colors that were reserved for the use of
the imperial family. Historical photographs and illustrations from the time help put the garments
in context and give visitors a greater understanding of these formal occasions.
Some members of the imperial family had their own motifs. Visitors can see a small cloth owned byEmpress Emerita Michiko (1934–) decorated with stylized Japanese white birch, her personal motif.
Other exhibits show how kimono styles differed according to social status, with displays of garmentsthat were worn by samurai, the aristocracy, and members of the merchant classes. The collection iscomprehensive and includes lavishly embroidered formal kimonos worn by women of the nobility, as
well as a simple blue-and-white kimono worn by a retainer of Tokugawa shogun family.  
The Ome Kimono Museum is open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.,or by appointment. (The museum is closed from December throughFebruary.)

Information

business hours

phone number

Regular holiday

VOICE GUIDANCE

10:00 - 16:00

Mon-Thursday
Closed from December to February

address

4-629-9 Baigō, Ome City, Tokyo

36

0428-76-2019

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Ome Plum ParkThe plum blossom is the symbol of Ome.
Almost one thousand plum trees bloom
across the park in vivid pinks and whites
from February to March. The park features
several varieties including the Baigo plum,
which originated in Ome.
The Yoshino Baigo Ume Matsuri
plum blossom festival is held in the parkfrom late February to late March. On
weekends during the festival, there aremusic and dance performances.
Many seasonal flowers are planted
throughout the park, including wintersweet,
Japanese narcissus, and azaleas. The park is
close to the Yoshikawa Eiji Memorial Museum
and the Ome Kimono Museum.

Information

address

4-527 Baigō, Ome City, Tokyo

phone number
0428-24-2481

37

VOICE GUIDANCE

Date of issue: January 2023
Planing & Publishing

Ome City Tourist Association

Cooperation

Mitakesan Tourist Association

Photographs

Photo Studio Ome

Design and Illustrations

Mieko Arai

Editing and Printing

H.A.P Inc.

Ome City Tourist Association〒 198-0042
1-2-5 Higashi-Ome, Ome-City,
Tokyo Higashi- Ome Center Building 3F

Tel number 0428-24-2481
38

Access
For visitors by Train
From Tokyo, take the JR Ome Line to Ome/Okutama. To get to the Yoshino Baigo area,
Ishigamimae Station, orFutamatao Station. For the

Okutama

Mitake/Sawai area, get off at

Ome

Li

Hachiojine

Ikusabata St．

Tokyo

.
bu

Sawai St．

Mitake・Sawai area

ShinjukumNa

Mitake Hinatawada

Station to Mt. Mitake Station.

manote.LineYa

SeChuo.Line

Haijima Tachikawa

and cable car from JR Mitake

Mitake St.

Seibu
L
u. ine Shinjuku
ib

Ome.Line

Sawai Station and Mitake Station.
To get to Mt. Mitake, take a bus

Hachiko.Line

get off at Hinatawada Station,

Futamatao St．

Ishigamimae St． Hinatawada St.

Yoshino Baigo area

Mt. Mitake area

To Mt. Mitake

About 6 minutes by cable car

Mitake san St.

Mitake Tozan Railway

About 10 minutes by bus

Takimoto St.

JR Mitake St.

For visitors by car
From the Hachioji Interchangeon the Chuo Expressway, the Ome

JR Mitake St.

Interchange on the Ken-O Expressway,or the Hinode Interchange, to Ome/
Okutama Area. To Mt. Mitake, take

Mt. Mitake

Ken-O
Expressway

411

Hinodethe Mitake Tozan Railway at Takimoto

Interchange

Ome

Interchange

16

Station.
*Beyond Takimoto St., you can not

HachiojiJunctionenter by car. Please park in the nearest
parking lot.

Chuo
Expressway
HachiojiInterchange

Ome City Tourist Association〒 198-0042
1-2-5 Higashi-Ome, Ome-City, Tokyo Higashi- Ome Center Building 3F

Tel number 0428-24-2481
この英語解説文は、観光庁の地域観光資源の多言語解説整備支援事業で作成しました39