Tama

Outdoor adventures and unique cultural experiences await in Tokyo's natural getaway.

DISCOVER

Tama

Outdoor adventures and unique cultural experiences await in Tokyo's natural getaway.

DISCOVER

Tama

Outdoor adventures and unique cultural experiences await in Tokyo's natural getaway.

DISCOVER

Tama

Outdoor adventures and unique cultural experiences await in Tokyo's natural getaway.

DISCOVER

Tama

Outdoor adventures and unique cultural experiences await in Tokyo's natural getaway.

DISCOVER

Tama Tokyo

Tranquil forests, sacred mountains, and rushing rivers are home to distinct culture and endless outdoor adventure. Get out of the city and explore the wilderness, or get hands on with the local heritage of Tama, Tokyo.

nippara caves

Nippara Limestone Cave

One of the largest caves in Eastern Japan, Nippara is a highlight of the Okutama area, with its rich and mysterious history and over 1.2 km of underground passages, strange rock formations, and striking illuminations.

kayaking on Shirmaru

Kayaking on Lake Shiromaru

Besides the rapids of the Tama River, this area is also home to quiet man-made lakes like Lake Shiromaru—an idyllic spot for a beginners' kayaking lesson in the peaceful surrounds of Okutama.

canyoning on Shirmaru

Okutama Canyoning

The upper section of the Tama River boasts excellent canyoning—adventurous tokyoites come here to slide down hidden waterfalls, dive into mountain pools and clamber over rugged rock formations.

wasabi farms

Wasabi Farms

A little-known feature of the Okutama area are its wasabi farms, secluded in the forested hills of the Tama River Valley. Irrigated by the natural spring waters of West Tama, the wasabi grown here boasts a pungent taste ideally suited to Japanese sushi.

hydrospeed (riverboarding)

Hydrospeed (Riverboarding)

The Tama River is also an excellent place for unique water sports like hydrospeed, aka riverboarding! Ride the board and follow the flow of the rapid river, for a day drenched in fun!

white water rafting

White Water Rafting

The most popular activity on Tama River is undoubtedly white water rafting. Adventurers from Japan and overseas alike head into West Tama to experience the thrills of surging down its rapid currents.

washi paper art

Washi Paper Art

The natural blessings of the West Tama area have given birth to unique forms of washi paper art. Traditional paper-making methods are combined with unique artistic vision, to produce an experience not to be found anywhere else.

indigo dyeing

Indigo Dyeing

Local artists have been mastering the art of traditional Japanese indigo dyeing, creating high-quality pieces of art deep in the mountains of West Tama. The surrounding tranquility stimulates artistic minds and brings forth endless creation!

ninja experience

Ninja Experience

The reaches of West Tama also hold the secrets of the Yajin ninja clan, a school of skillful spies whose role in the era of samurai was significant. Now, anyone can challenge themselves to the practice of ninja techniques by joining a short outdoor program out among the mountains of Tama.

cycling & mountain biking

Cycling & Mountain Biking

Along the Akigawa Valley adventurous travelers can discover many hidden waterfalls, breathtaking views and cosy little cafes. Exploring the area on a bicycle or a mountain bike is an excellent way to enjoy West Tama.

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Tokyo's Hidden Nature

Tama, Tokyo—the ideal place to forget the hustle and bustle of the big city and enjoy Japan's natural beauty. Adventure, culture, or relaxation, Western Tokyo has a city escape for everyone. West Tama, a part of the Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park, is not the first place that springs to mind when most think of Tokyo—which is exactly what makes it a great destination for those 'in the know'. Whether climbing the sacred slopes of Mt. Mitake, cycling down a secluded river valley, or plumbing the depths of Nippara Limestone Cave, adventure lovers are guaranteed an off-the-beaten-track experience of Tokyo's wild side. On hotter days the Tama River boasts rafting, riverboarding, kayaking—even canyoning in the waterfalls and hidden mountain pools of its upper reaches. If you're looking for the quieter side of Tokyo life you're spoiled for choice, with small wasabi farms and local sake breweries taking full advantage of the clear, fresh mountain water, and happy to introduce visitors to their art. Local craftspeople also make use of the rich natural resources, notably for Hinode washi paper, and the indigo dyeing of Hinohara.

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travel mosaic

Transport

Tama, Tokyo is the most accessible mountainous area from central Tokyo, and its natural beauty—reachable in 90 minutes from Shinjuku Station—makes a popular weekend destination for locals. The valleys are connected by local railways splitting off from the central JR Chuo Line, while the innermost areas are connected to the train lines via local buses, so you can reach even those a little far from a station. When heading into the West Tama Area, pay attention to which local line to transfer to: the Tama River Valley and the sake breweries of Fussa are along the Ome and Okutama lines, while the Akigawa River Valley is reached by the Itsukaichi line, after transferring at Haijima Station. On weekends and at certain times of the day, you can take one direct train from Shinjuku without changing trains along the way. To ride the trains out west like a Tokyo local, don't forget your Suica! These contactless smart cards save time and money, by skipping fare calculations and ticket machines, gliding through gates, and granting modest discounts on certain lines.

transportation
accommodation

Accommodation

The West Tama Area is blessed with plentiful hot springs and as a result, all manner of inns have sprung up catering to visitors. However for a truly unique experience, an overnight 'shukubo' stay in a temple or mountain lodge near the peak of sacred Mt. Mitake cannot be beaten. In recent years an increasing number of Japan visitors prefer to spend a few days of their time away from the busy city, opting for the quiet and refreshing nature of Tama instead. Simple lodgings offered by hospitable locals are for many people an ideal way to complete a trip to Japan, and relax before heading home.

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