Mount Mitake
Japan - Fukuoka - Kobe - Nagoya - Tokyo - Osaka - Hiroshima - Kyoto - Yokohama -
Mount Mitake or Mitakesan, in Japanese, is one of the most popular sightseeing places of Tokyo. The mountain is located in the Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park and is the biggest attraction of this park. The park covers an area of 1250 square kilometers and covers many rural towns of the Yamanashi, Saitama, Nagano and Tokyo prefectures.
The slope of the Mitake Mountain is covered with dense green forests and has lush green valleys, which one can explore. The mountains are located in the Okutama region in the western part of Tokyo. The untouched natural beauty of the mountain is a real treat for the eyes. In fact, the mountain is a favorite destination for nature lovers. The serene and calm atmosphere of the mountain is extremely popular amongst tourists looking for a peaceful holiday, away from the hustle of city life.
Once in Mount Mitake, you can pay a visit to the 'Rock Garden'. It is a narrow lush green valley with beautiful waterfalls, moss covered stones and rocks and gentle streams. The garden with its raw beauty is worth visiting. From here, one can walk to Mount Otake. This mountain is 1267 meters high and offers a panoramic view of the surrounding area. The slopes of the mountain are, however, steep and hence it is advisable that one wears strong and sturdy shoes when visiting this place. The mountains are also home to a number of wild animals like monkeys, deer and squirrels.
The biggest attraction of Mount Mitake in Tokyo is the Musashi-Mitake Shrine. This temple is located at the summit of the mountain. As per local belief, the shrine has been the center for mountain worship for more than 2000 years. The beautiful architecture of this temple is a wonder by itself.
Apart from these, the tourists can pay a visit to the Mitake Villages and other Japanese villages over here. One can buy gift items from the souvenir shops of these villages or enjoy some local drinks in the inns found over here.
Mount Mitake is great place to go for an adventure holiday. The slopes of the mountain offer extensive opportunities for hiking and trekking. Some passages are extremely difficult and hence one must carry proper mountaineering tools and equipments with them. For extra fun, you can also go for a cable car ride over the mountain. The experience is simply amazing.
Getting to Mount Mitake is not at all difficult. You can take a JR Chuo Line to Ome station from central Tokyo. From Ome station you can take a train via the JR Ome Line and arrive at the Mitake Station. From here, you can take a bus ride to Mitake cablecar, which will take you directly to Mount Mitake.
Mount Mitake is indeed one of the best tourist attractions in Tokyo. The mountain, with its scenic beauty, is a great place to go for sightseeing in Tokyo.
| Hotels in Tokyo | |
| Courtyard Marriott Ginza Formerly Ginza Tobu Renaissance Hotel | Celestine Hotel |
| Nikko Winds Hotel | Radisson Miyako Hotel |
| Palace Hotel | New Otani Hotel |
