Researched guide · Checked on Nov 2, 2026
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You can stand on a mountain and still be back in Tokyo for dinner. Mt. Takao is a straight train ride from Shinjuku, and four more easy mountains are within reach by train, with cable cars or ropeways if you would rather not climb all the way. Here is how they compare.
Quick answer
Easiest: Mt. Takao, by Keio Line from Shinjuku, with a cable car or chairlift from ¥490 one way.
Quieter: Mt. Mitake in western Tokyo, with a shrine, a rock garden trail and a cable car (¥700 one way).
Big views: Mt. Tsukuba, about 45 minutes from Akihabara by Tsukuba Express, then a shuttle bus. The cable car and ropeway were both running when we checked on November 2, 2026.
Temple and shrine on a mountain: Mt. Oyama, with a ¥2,520 freepass from Shinjuku.
A full day in nature: Okutama, for hiking, rafting and hot springs.
Mountains near Tokyo at a glance
| Mountain | Getting there | Cable car or ropeway (adults) | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mt. Takao | Keio Line from Shinjuku to Takaosanguchi | ¥490 one way, ¥980 return | A first, easy hike |
| Mt. Mitake | JR Ome Line to Mitake, bus, then cable car | ¥700 one way, ¥1,400 return | A quieter hike and a mountain shrine |
| Mt. Tsukuba | Tsukuba Express from Akihabara (about 45 min), then shuttle bus | Ropeway ¥930 one way, ¥1,860 return | Views over the Kanto Plain |
| Mt. Oyama | Odakyu Line to Isehara (about 60 min), bus, short walk | ¥640 one way, ¥1,270 return | Afuri Shrine and Oyama-dera |
| Okutama | JR Ome Line to Okutama Station | — | Rivers, rafting and hot springs |
Fares and routes come from each mountain’s official site, checked in our individual guides on October 19–21, 2026. Check again before you go.
The easy classic: Mt. Takao
Mt. Takao is the easiest mountain day trip from Tokyo: take the Keio Line from Shinjuku to Takaosanguchi Station, then walk about 5 minutes to the cable car station. The cable car (about 6 minutes) and the chairlift (about 12 minutes) cost ¥490 one way or ¥980 return for adults. It gets busy during the autumn leaves, especially in November, and on weekends, so go early on a weekday if you can. See our Mt. Takao guide.
Quieter mountains: Mt. Mitake and Okutama
- Mt. Mitake is a quieter alternative to Mt. Takao in western Tokyo. Take the JR Ome Line to Mitake Station, a bus to Takimoto Station, then the cable car (about 6 minutes; ¥700 one way, ¥1,400 return). IC cards like Suica work at the gate. At the top are Musashi Mitake Shrine and the Rock Garden trail. See our Mt. Mitake guide.
- Okutama, at the end of the JR Ome Line, is Tokyo’s mountain area for hiking, rafting, fishing, camping and hot springs. Give it a full day, or stay overnight. See our Okutama guide.
Want to get on the river? Rafting on the Tama River in Ome is bookable on Klook.
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Big views and sacred mountains: Mt. Tsukuba and Mt. Oyama
- Mt. Tsukuba has twin peaks and wide views over the Kanto Plain. Take the Tsukuba Express from Akihabara to Tsukuba (about 45 minutes on a Rapid train), then the direct shuttle bus. The cable car (suspended for safety checks from September 25, 2026) was running again on November 2, 2026, and so was the ropeway, at ¥930 one way or ¥1,860 return for adults. Check the official site before you go. See our Mt. Tsukuba guide.
- Mt. Oyama is home to Afuri Shrine and Oyama-dera temple. Take the Odakyu Line from Shinjuku to Isehara (about 60 minutes), a bus to Oyama Cable (about 30 minutes), then walk 15 minutes to the cable car (¥640 one way, ¥1,270 return, every 20 minutes). The Tanzawa-Oyama Freepass A (¥2,520 from Shinjuku) covers the round-trip train, the local bus and the cable car. See our Mt. Oyama guide.
Tips
- Start early, especially at Mt. Takao in autumn and on weekends.
- Ride up, walk down if you want an easier day: all four mountains with a cable car or ropeway let you skip part of the climb.
- Wear proper shoes and bring water, and check the weather and train times for the way back.
- After the hike, soak in a hot spring. See onsen in Tokyo and onsen towns near Tokyo.
How to choose
| If you want… | Go to |
|---|---|
| The easiest trip from Shinjuku | Mt. Takao |
| Fewer people and a mountain shrine | Mt. Mitake |
| Wide views from twin peaks | Mt. Tsukuba |
| A temple and shrine on one mountain | Mt. Oyama |
| Rivers, rafting and a full day out | Okutama |
Find hiking and outdoor tours
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FAQ
What is the easiest hike near Tokyo?
Mt. Takao. Take the Keio Line from Shinjuku to Takaosanguchi, and use the cable car or chairlift (¥490 one way for adults) if you want to skip part of the climb.
Is there a quieter alternative to Mt. Takao?
Yes. Mt. Mitake in western Tokyo has a cable car, a mountain shrine and the Rock Garden trail, and is quieter than Mt. Takao.
Is the Mt. Tsukuba cable car running?
Yes. It was suspended for safety checks from September 25, 2026, and the official site listed it as running normally again on November 2, 2026. The ropeway is running too. Check the official site before you go.
Can I hike near Tokyo without a car?
Yes. All five mountains in this guide are reached by train, with a bus for some of them.
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Sources
Routes and fares come from each mountain’s official sites and Tokyo’s official travel guide, checked in our individual guides on October 19–21, 2026, and gathered here (checked November 2, 2026). Services can change, so please check before you go.
