Okutama driving guide: lake, mountain road and Hossawa Falls

Okutama offers a mountain drive on Tokyo's western edge, linking Mitake Gorge in Ome with Lake Okutama, the Okutama Shuyu Road and Hossawa Falls in Hinohara. You can also extend the trip into Yamanashi to the roadside stations in Kosuge and Tabayama. This guide follows a day from Ome through the lake and over the mountain road to Hinohara, with roads, parking and stops listed below.

Map of Okutama

The line follows the route from Mitake Gorge to Hossawa Falls described below. Numbers mark the stops: green for scenery and nature, blue for roadside stations. Tap a marker to see its name.

Recommended drives

First visit: Lake Okutama to Hinohara via the Shuyu Road

Approach from Ome Interchange on the Ken-o Expressway and stop at Mitake Gorge. Follow Route 411, also called Ome Kaido, past Hatonosu Gorge to Lake Okutama. Climb the Okutama Shuyu Road to Tsukiyomi No. 1 car park and Kazahari Pass, then descend past Hinohara Tomin-no-Mori to Hossawa Falls before heading towards Akiruno Interchange.

The mapped section from Mitake Gorge to Hossawa Falls is about 63 km, with roughly 2 hours 15 minutes of driving. These map-based estimates exclude congestion and stops, as well as the approach from Ome IC and return to Akiruno IC.

From 1 October to 31 March, the section between Kawano Gate and Tomin-no-Mori is open only 09:00–18:00. Gates close at night, preventing through traffic. Plan to cross in daylight: dusk comes early in the mountains and fog can reduce visibility.

Take the cable car to Mt Mitake

You cannot drive to the mountaintop. Park at Mitake Tozan Railway's Takimoto Station, with 136 spaces and opening hours of 07:10–19:00, then take the cable car; an adult return ticket costs ¥1,400. Set your navigation destination to “Mitake Tozan Railway Takimoto Station.” The operator warns that searching only for “Mt Mitake” can direct you onto a closed road.

Maintenance suspensions are announced for 9–10 December 2026 and 18–20 January 2027. On the first day of each period, normal services run only through the 08:40 departure. Check the operator's notice before planning a visit.

Extend the drive to Yamanashi's roadside stations

From Miyama Bridge at the western end of Lake Okutama, take Route 139 to Michi-no-Eki Kosuge or Route 411 to Michi-no-Eki Tabayama. Kosuge is about 30 minutes from Otsuki Interchange and has rapid EV charging.

Timing and extra stops between the lake and Hinohara

Driving estimates exclude congestion and breaks; visit durations are planning allowances. Going to the lake first helps avoid returning through Okutama during its usual weekend and holiday congestion peak, around 16:00–19:00. Spend the afternoon on the Hinohara side instead. Akiruno IC to Ome IC is about 12 km on the Ken-o Expressway if you need to return to your starting point. In the opposite direction, you must clear the Tomin-no-Mori–Kawano Gate section before it closes at 18:00 in October–March or 19:00 in April–September, and may meet the evening queues on the Okutama side.

Sengenone car park, at the Shuyu Road's 14.2 km point, has views towards Shinjuku's towers and Tokyo Skytree in clear weather. About 200 m downhill towards Hinohara is the viewpoint the road authority identifies as its only Mt Fuji view. There is no pavement, so be alert to traffic if walking there. Kazuma car park at the 15.0 km point occupies both sides of the road; if Tomin-no-Mori is full, you can park here and walk along the footpath.

Use designated car parks to enjoy the views. Do not stop on the shoulder, squeeze past uphill cyclists or hold up following traffic when you can safely let it pass at a car park. Take litter home; the road has no rubbish bins. Use a lower gear and engine braking on the winding descent.

If rain or fog makes the mountain crossing unsuitable, return from Lake Okutama or approach from Akiruno for Hossawa Falls and Kazuma-no-Yu. The hot spring opens 10:00–19:00, with admission ending at 18:00; adults ¥1,100. It closes Mondays, or the following day after a Monday holiday. In thick fog, use your lights, leave more space and do not stop in the road to look at the scenery. Check event restrictions too: the 4 October 2026 cycling race closed the Hinohara approach between the Yasuragi-no-Sato entrance area and Tomin-no-Mori from 06:30–09:00. That date has passed; it is an example of why the current notices matter.

Roads you can drive

Places to stop

Views and nature

Numbers match the map.

Roadside stations

Best seasons and crowds

Tomin-no-Mori's report dated 29 October 2026 described the Otaki-no-Michi trail beginning to turn yellow and orange. This is a dated observation, not a forecast for your visit.

Where and when queues form

• Golden Week, summer holidays, autumn-colour season and long weekends can bring queues for car parks on national and metropolitan roads. Okutama Town asks drivers not to divert into residential roads to avoid congestion.
• Ome Kaido's usual weekend and holiday return-traffic peak is around 16:00–19:00.
• Tomin-no-Mori and Hossawa Falls car parks can fill during weekend mornings.
• Summer-holiday waits for Nippara Limestone Cave parking can reach one to three hours or more.
• In spring, hikers heading to Mt Gozen for dogtooth-violet flowers gather at Tsukiyomi No. 2 car park.

Roads and restrictions checked on 1 November 2026

• Kawano Gate–Tomin-no-Mori is open only 09:00–18:00 during October–March, subject to weather closures.
• The old Route 139 Seto restriction previously ran to 30 October; it is not listed here as an active closure. Check the current prefectural map rather than assuming either closure or reopening.
• Shiromaru Dam's top crossing is scheduled to remain closed through 24 February 2027.
• Part of the Water and Green Friendship Center car park remains restricted by works until around 15 March 2027.
• Mt Mitake cable-car maintenance affects 9–10 December 2026 and 18–20 January 2027, with limited morning service on each first day as noted above.
• Asian black bears live in the mountains. Tomin-no-Mori offers free bear-bell loans.

Getting there and fuel

Refuel in Ome or Akiruno before entering the mountains. A complete official filling-station list for Okutama, Hinohara, Kosuge and Tabayama was not confirmed for this guide; do not rely on a roadside-station stop for fuel.

If you don't have a car

Use the Tokyo rental-car listings to find a pickup location, and check the driving-permit requirements before booking.

Frequently asked questions

Where should I drive with one day in Okutama?

Approach from Ome IC, visit Mitake Gorge, Hatonosu Gorge and Lake Okutama, then cross the Shuyu Road via Tsukiyomi, Kazahari Pass and Tomin-no-Mori to Hossawa Falls before returning towards Akiruno IC. The mapped Mitake Gorge–Hossawa Falls section is about 63 km and 2 hours 15 minutes before stops and traffic; add the interchange approaches separately.

Until what time is the Okutama Shuyu Road open?

Kawano Gate–Tomin-no-Mori is open 09:00–18:00 from 1 October to 31 March and 08:00–19:00 from 1 April to 30 September. Gates close at night. Heavy rain or snow can also close the road.

Is there a toll on the Okutama Shuyu Road?

No. The road is 19.7 km long, with a 40 km/h speed limit and many sharp bends. The road authority warns of frequent accidents, gaps in mobile coverage and hospital transport taking around two hours after an accident. This is a caution about remote access, not a guaranteed emergency response time.

Can I drive up Mt Mitake?

You cannot drive to the mountaintop. Park at Takimoto Station and take the cable car, checking the maintenance dates before travelling.

Where should I refuel before Okutama?

Refuel in Ome or Akiruno before heading into the mountains.

Nearby areas and guides

• Fuji Five Lakes driving guide
• Tokyo driving and travel guide
• Winter road closures in Japan