Riding on a train for about an hour and a half from the center of Tokyo. The Mitake Gorge is located in Chichibu Tama Kai National Park and is especially known for its limpid stream and as a place for Koyo-gari (colored leaves hunting: metaphorical usage for enjoying colored leaves). What I’m going to introduce today is the route from JR Mitake Station to Kawai Station, climbing Mount Mitake and walking along the Tama River on the way.

You could also ride on a bus or a ropeway in order to save time, but spending the whole day to walk the route of approximately 10km while enjoying the colored leaves and other scenery on the way is also recommended.

I arrived at Mitake Station after an hour ride from Hachioji. It was a weekday, but a number of people were crammed in the train. The region between Oume and Okutama attracts a lot of visitors during the season of colored leaves.

Mount Mitake seen from the station gate.

Cross a bridge and climb down to the gorge.

Gyokudo Art Museum. Those ginkgo trees in front become the symbol during the season.

Many people were visiting the gorge and enjoying themselves on a walk. There are some art museums and memorial halls dotted in the area, so visitors may stop by on their way.

The color contrasts among the leaves of red, yellow, and green and the blue of the Tama River. Absolutely a superb view.

Headed to the upper reaches of the river along the gorge. Time flies but it does not really matter when slowly seeing these views.

The Mitake Gorge is also known as a mecca for canoeing. It has attracted a number of young people who enjoy activities on water. They even enjoy canoeing in the cold water.

This big torii is the landmark for getting to the entrance of Mount Mitake. It would take about 20 minutes from here to the ropeway station.

It would take about 10 minutes to get to the top of the mountain from the station at the bottom. It would take about an hour on foot.

This is the entrance of Mount Mitake.

This ginkgo tree is 500 years old and is right next to the torii on the start of an approach. You will see it at Takimoto Station on the ropeway line.

Climbing up the mountain and going into the depths of the forest. You will start seeing some trees with colored leaves.

The village on the mountaintop is another reason for the mountain’s popularity. On the way to Mitake Shrine, there are gift shops and a youth hostel. Seeing around the city in the tangle of lanes is also enjoyable.

Radishes being hung out to dry so as to make Tsukemono (Japanese-style pickles) in winter.

This is the entrance of Mitake Shrine.

The colored leaves in the shrine are also beautiful.

On a sunny day, you can also overlook the whole area of Yokohama or Tokyo.

The hill at the back of the shrine also had beautiful colored leaves.

Going farther from the shrine, you could also enjoy seeing around some out-of-the-way places or mountain streams. This time, however, I instead decided to climb down the same route I just walked up. It would take about 40 minutes to get back to the bottom.

I walked along a river from Mitake Station, headed to the upper reaches. There was a big bridge on the way. Now finally arrived at the terminal of the trip, Sawai Station.

The view from the bridge was also superb.

It took approximately 6 hours to complete the route. The route going farther from the mountaintop and heading to Okutama Station or Hatonosu Station is also recommended since you can see another view of beautiful colored leaves. Despite of its location in Tokyo, this region still contains a lot of nature in contrast to the modern city of Shibuya or Ginza. Enjoy it!