Tokyo Day Trip to Okutama | Mitake Gorge, Nature Walk & Local Japanese Restaurant

Tokyo Day Trip to Okutama | Mitake Gorge, Nature Walk & Local Japanese Restaurant

Today we’re heading to Mitake Valley, often called Tokyo’s hidden oasis. Just a 90-minute train ride from downtown Tokyo takes you to scenery that feels like another world. A perfect start to a relaxing day surrounded by greenery. Mitake Station is a small stop in Ome City, on the edge of Tokyo. Even though it’s technically still Tokyo, it’s known as the gateway to a lush mountain gorge. Stepping off the train, you’re greeted by a station building with a roof that looks like a Shinto shrine. It immediately puts you in the mood for an adventure. Most people hop on a bus here to head up to Mt. Mitake for hiking… But today I decided to stay around the station and enjoy the valley scenery and local flavors instead. Looking at this view, it’s hard to believe this is right in front of the station. There’s even a sign that says “Entrance to Mitake Valley.” As soon as you head toward the river, you can hear the sound of flowing water. And that’s when the healing part of the day begins. The river was a little cloudy after yesterday’s rain. But thanks to that, the plants looked extra vibrant and green. It felt like I had stepped straight into a scene from a Ghibli movie. The only thing was—it was way more humid than I expected! Which made the people splashing around in the river look even more enviable. Someday, I’d love to try riding a boat down the river myself. I also noticed some curious poles hanging above the water. Turns out, this is a training course for canoe slalom, which is even an Olympic sport. Who would’ve thought you’d find something this intense right here in Tokyo? Surrounded by the sound of the river, I felt my mind instantly calm down. The flowing water is soothing, but… it’s still so hot. Way too hot! Luckily, the local shaved ice shop was just opening, so it felt like the perfect time to take a break. The fall colors peak here in late November. Summer is lovely, but autumn would be a whole new view. We stopped by a shaved ice shop called Hyoemon. They use natural ice with homemade syrups, offering everything from classics to unique flavors. I came with my sister today, so we decided to pick different flavors and share. First up, strawberry milk. Just look at it—you can already tell it’s going to be delicious. They even serve extra syrup and milk on the side, so you can add more to your liking. Fluffy ice, plenty of strawberries, and a creamy espuma on top—it was so good we both couldn’t stop smiling. The other flavor was almond jelly with mango. Refreshing and absolutely delicious as well. We finished with some tofu—light with a touch of wasabi, the perfect palate cleanser. After cooling down with shaved ice, we headed to a long-standing soba restaurant called Tamagawaya. Simple, comforting flavors—perfect after a walk through the valley. What really surprised me was the roof—it’s made of straw thatch. You almost never see a thatched roof still in use in Tokyo. The restaurant has been around for over 110 years, and even famous writers like Osamu Dazai used to come here. Inside, it had a traditional charm and a very calm atmosphere. I was surprised to see that the Daruma dolls had hair. It’s said to be a symbol of long life. We ordered tempura soba and chilled zaru soba. The little bamboo tray it came in was so charming. The tempura was freshly fried and crispy, a perfect match with the soba. Looks so good! Let’s dig in! The firm noodles with that fragrant dipping sauce… I just couldn’t stop eating. We also tried grilled yamame, a type of river trout. The flesh was soft and flaky with just the right amount of salt—delicious in that unique way only river fish can be. After finishing the soba, it’s time for soba-yu. It’s the hot water the noodles were boiled in, mixed with the dipping sauce—a very Japanese way to end the meal.
The rich flavor of the broth warms you through and leaves you satisfied. Around Mitake Station, you’ll find a few little retro shops scattered about. It doesn’t feel overly touristy—you get to enjoy more of the local vibe. One of the places we stopped by was Chitobe, a shop and café right by the station. It’s located just across from the station, along the valley. They sell local souvenirs and also have a small café—it’s the kind of place where you end up staying longer than you planned. We ordered a hot coffee and a “Nagomi tea set.” The coffee came with yuzu marmalade on the side—and it made sense once I learned this area is known for its yuzu. The yuzu yokan had a refreshing aroma that instantly made me feel relaxed. Through the big windows, all you see is greenery. I can only imagine how stunning it must look here in the fall. Knowing autumn is just around the corner makes me look forward to seeing that view. Here I said goodbye to my sister, and I headed off alone to the peaceful Gyokudo Art Museum. This museum is dedicated to the Japanese painter Gyokudo Kawai. It stands along Mitake Valley, which Gyokudo loved, and lets you enjoy his works surrounded by nature. After seeing his paintings, I was especially moved by the garden. It’s a kare-sansui rock garden, designed to represent the Tama River using stones and terrain instead of water. Watching it while hearing the river and feeling the breeze was incredibly calming. Before I knew it, I was just sitting there, lost in the view. Inside, there’s even a reconstructed studio where Gyokudo once painted. From the window, you can see the garden—so vivid it felt as if he might still be here, quietly painting. The museum itself is surrounded by trees, peaceful and quiet. Even on weekends, it’s never crowded—truly a hidden gem. Before leaving, I bought a clear file with one of Gyokudo’s puppy sketches on it. The way he drew the puppy was so gentle and sweet—it makes me smile every time I see it. To wrap up the trip, I went to a café I’d been wanting to visit—Sawai Mountain Café. It had the kind of atmosphere you’d expect in a Ghibli film—I was excited before I even walked in. The cozy vibe had me looking forward to what was inside. Inside, the renovated farmhouse was surrounded by a lush garden, filled with a calm, relaxing air. They even have terrace seating. The staff were so kind, and even though it was my first time, I felt completely at home. That day I tried a seasonal watermelon smoothie and some homemade cookies. The smoothie was so refreshing—it instantly cooled me down from the summer heat. The cookies were packed with nuts, perfectly crunchy and delicious. It was such a lovely café—I left completely satisfied, and happy to add another spot to my list of favorites. Thank you so much for watching until the end.
Let’s go on another outing together next time. And if you enjoyed this, I’d love it if you subscribed or left a comment!

Take a slow escape from the city with this Tokyo day trip to Okutama.
I wandered along the quiet paths of Mitake Gorge, listening to the river, surrounded by green, and enjoying a calm moment away from the crowds.

Along the way, I stopped for shaved ice at Hyoemon, tasted handmade soba at a local Japanese restaurant, and spent time in the peaceful garden of the Gyokudo Art Museum. The day ended with a cozy break at a riverside café, a gentle reminder of how healing nature can be.

If you are looking for Tokyo places to visit beyond the city, or simply want to enjoy a slow Japan walking tour with local food and hidden spots, I hope this video brings you along.

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⏰ Timestamps (by location)

00:00　Mitake Valley Start｜Tokyo’s hidden oasis
00:59　Mitake Station and riverside walk
02:31　Relaxing moments by the river and nature
05:10　Shaved ice at Hyoemon
06:55　Historic soba restaurant Tamagawaya
10:30　Strolling around the station & café time at Chitobe
12:29　Quiet moments at Gyokudo Art Museum and garden
15:48　Sawai Mountain Café

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🌿 Places we visited

◆ Hyoemon (Shaved Ice Shop)
https://www.instagram.com/hyo_emon?igsh=MTR2Yjk5Y29oeHJ6dA==

◆ Tamagawaya (Soba Restaurant)
https://tamagawa-ya.com

◆ Mitake Buraridō “Chitobe” (Souvenir Shop & Café)
https://www.omekanko.gr.jp/spot/12401/

◆ Gyokudo Art Museum
http://www.gyokudo.jp

◆ Sawai Mountain Café
https://www.sawai-mountaincafe.com