Researched guide · Checked on Oct 21, 2026
Mt. Oyama, in Isehara on the edge of the Tanzawa mountains, has been a sacred mountain for pilgrims and travelers since the Edo period. Today a cable car climbs to Oyama-dera Temple and the Afuri Shrine, where a terrace looks out over the Kanagawa plain to Sagami Bay. It is a popular autumn-leaves trip, under two hours from Shinjuku by train, bus and a short walk.
Quick answer
Getting there: Odakyu Line from Shinjuku to Isehara (about 60 minutes), bus to Oyama Cable (about 30 minutes), then a 15-minute walk up to the cable car.
Cable car: adults ¥640 one way, ¥1,270 return, every 20 minutes.
Save: the Tanzawa-Oyama Freepass A (¥2,520 from Shinjuku) covers the round-trip train, the local bus and the cable car.
What to see
- Koma-sando: the stepped shopping street from the bus stop to the cable car, lined with souvenir shops, places serving Oyama tofu and workshops making Oyama koma (spinning tops).
- Oyama-dera Temple: a temple founded in 755 and a place of pilgrimage since the Edo period, at the cable car’s middle station. The area is especially busy in the autumn leaves season.
- Afuri Shrine, Shimosha (lower shrine): about 700 m up the mountain, at the top of the cable car. It has long been a place to pray for rain and good harvests, and its view over Sagami Bay is rated two stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.
- Honsha (summit shrine): the shrine on the summit is a 90 to 120 minute climb from the Shimosha. The shrine asks climbers to prepare well and look after their health.
Before you visit, see our guide to shrine and temple etiquette.
Oyama Cable Car
The cable car runs from Oyama Cable Station to Afuri-jinja Station in about 6 minutes, stopping at Oyama-dera Station on the way (about 2 minutes from either end). Oyama-dera is the only station in Japan built at a cable car’s passing point.
| Section | Adult one way | Adult return | Child one way | Child return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oyama Cable – Afuri-jinja (stop at Oyama-dera allowed) | ¥640 | ¥1,270 | ¥320 | ¥640 |
| Oyama Cable or Afuri-jinja – Oyama-dera | ¥360 | ¥700 | ¥180 | ¥350 |
- Hours: weekdays 9:00 to 16:30, weekends and holidays 9:00 to 17:00. Cars leave every 20 minutes, with extra cars when busy.
- Hours are extended at New Year, Golden Week and in the autumn leaves season. The cable car may stop in heavy rain, strong wind or lightning.
- Adults are junior high school age and over; children are elementary school age.
- At the ticket window you can pay by cash, credit card, IC card (Suica, PASMO) or PayPay. To tap through the gate without a ticket, use an EMot e-ticket or a contactless credit card: Suica and PASMO cannot be tapped at the gate.
- Small pets in a fully closed carrier ride for ¥220 one way.
Getting there from Tokyo
- Take the Odakyu Line from Shinjuku to Isehara, about 60 minutes. The Romancecar also stops at Isehara (limited express ticket ¥750 for adults from Shinjuku).
- From Isehara Station’s north exit, bus stop 4, take a Kanachu bus on route 伊10 (Oyama Cable) or 伊11 (Oyama Cable, direct) to the last stop, Oyama Cable, about 30 minutes.
- Walk up Koma-sando to the cable car station, about 15 minutes. There are many steps, and cars cannot drive up to the station.
- Driving: about 10 minutes from the Isehara-Oyama IC on the Shin-Tomei Expressway. City car parks near the bus terminal cost ¥600 or ¥1,000 a day and fill up; public transport is recommended. See our driving in Japan guide.
Tanzawa-Oyama Freepass
Odakyu’s Tanzawa-Oyama Freepass is valid for 2 days and includes the round trip from your departure station, unlimited Odakyu rides between Hon-Atsugi and Shibusawa, and Kanachu buses in the area. Ticket A also includes the Oyama Cable Car.
| From Shinjuku | Adults | Children |
|---|---|---|
| Ticket A (with cable car) | ¥2,520 | ¥920 |
| Ticket B (no cable car) | ¥1,560 | ¥400 |
You can buy it at Odakyu station ticket machines or online through EMot. The Romancecar needs a separate limited express ticket. Showing the pass also gets discounts at about 60 places in the area.
Choosing a mountain? See five easy hikes side by side in easy hikes near Tokyo.
FAQ
How do I get to Mt. Oyama from Tokyo?
Take the Odakyu Line from Shinjuku to Isehara (about 60 minutes), a Kanachu bus to Oyama Cable (about 30 minutes), then walk 15 minutes to the cable car.
How much is the Oyama Cable Car?
Adults pay ¥640 one way or ¥1,270 return between Oyama Cable and Afuri-jinja stations. Children pay half.
How long does it take to climb to the top of Mt. Oyama?
The summit shrine is a 90 to 120 minute climb from the Afuri Shrine Shimosha, at the top of the cable car.
Is there a discount pass for Mt. Oyama?
Yes. The Tanzawa-Oyama Freepass A from Shinjuku costs ¥2,520 for adults and covers the train, local buses and the cable car for 2 days.
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Sources
Cable car times, fares and access come from the Oyama Cable Car’s official site; the shrine information from Oyama Afuri Shrine’s official site; the pass, temple history and train information from Odakyu’s official site (checked October 21, 2026).
