<p>A large torii gate welcomes visitors to the village of Mitake.</p>

A large torii gate welcomes visitors to the village of Mitake. (Photo: Sandra Isaka)

Magnificent Colors of Mt. Mitake

Enjoy a historic shrine & Tokyo's best beginner hike

Sandra Isaka Oct 28, 2015 - 1 min read

<p>A large torii gate welcomes visitors to the village of Mitake.</p>

<p>The cable car, which travels from Takimoto to Mitake Village, has been operating since 1927.</p>

<p>Hiking trails wind through Mt. Mitake and many of the surrounding mountains.</p>

<p>This is one of the 24 temple lodging facilities where visitors can stay overnight.</p>

<p>In addition to lodging, the village contains nine family-run restaurants and some souvenir shops.</p>

<p>At the top end of the village is historic Mitake Shrine, which was built by a monk named Gyoki in the year 736.  </p>

<p>Autumn is the best season for hiking the trails of Mt. Mitake.</p>

<p>Along the hike to the 'Rock Garden', stop and climb to the top of the tengu iwa to glimpse the mythical creatures enshrined there.</p>

<p>Fall leaves and rocks covered in moss make this one of Tokyo's most beautiful hiking spots.</p>

<p>Located near the end of the 'Rock Garden', Ayahiro-no-taki is a 10 meter high waterfall used for ascetic training.</p>

Travel to the top of Mitake-san on a scenic cable car to visit a shrine that has been a place of worship for over 2000 years. Beside the shrine is a trail heading down into the 'Rock Garden', a narrow, forested valley containing a picturesque stream, moss covered stones, and lovely waterfalls. The area is especially beautiful in the autumn, when red, orange, and yellow overtake the normally deep green forest.

Sandra Isaka

Sandra Isaka @sandra.isaka

As an intercultural consultant & Japan travel specialist with 20 years in Japan, I love sharing my favorite places with others.