For the past few years I’ve enjoyed the spectacular autumn leaves in Tokyo by exploring the city’s many pristine parks but for the prior season I decided to head out of the metropolis to Okutama (奥多摩), a mountainous region located west along the Tama River.
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Departing from Okutama Station (奥多摩駅), I followed the 10km Mukashi-michi (むかしみち) trail (meaning “old road”) heading towards Lake Okutama (奥多摩湖). The path is paved most of the way and is fairly easy-going with only a couple of steep sections at the beginning and end.
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Walking downhill away from the station, you reach a crossroads with an information centre on the left where you can pick up a free route map. To reach the trailhead be sure to cross the bridge running parallel to the Tama River (not over it).
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The first section of the trail runs alongside a disused railway track which was originally used to transport materials to build Ogouchi Dam (小河内ダム). I’d love to come back and explore this in more detail!
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A small shrine is inset into the side of the road. The figure on the left looks a bit bored.
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At various spots the view opens up, providing beautiful views over the valley and the river below.
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The trail passes a number of old pastoral villages. Before the main road was built in 1945 there were many more tea houses and lodges to accommodate travellers. I especially liked this house with its neat piles of logs.
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It was late November but I couldn’t quite work out if I’d missed the best of the autumn leaves or if I was a touch early.
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More great views of the Tamagawa gorge from the very wobbly Shidaraku suspension bridge.
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Simply divine.
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After hiking for almost four hours the enormous Ogōchi Dam and Lake Okutama come into view. With a 45km circumference, it would take a few days to walk around. Nearby is a visitor centre from where a frequent bus can be caught back to Okutama Station.
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