The Ultimate 30KM Trail Run Near Tokyo: Mitake, Mount Otake, Okutama and Two River Swims
- Alex
- Aug 4
- 11 min read
This past weekend, I planned a Sunday morning long run through the trails and mountains of the Okutama region, and it turned out to be one of the best trail running experiences I’ve had!
The route had everything I could have wanted from a serious Sunday long run. There was a long paved ascent, technical forest trails, mountain ridgelines, a steady descent towards Okutama, a cold swim in the river and then, because I was still feeling good, another 11 kilometres of road running back towards Mitake.
By the time the day was finished, I had covered around 30 kilometres, climbed approximately 1,500 metres, swum in the river twice and eaten a huge post-run meal before getting back on the train to Tokyo.
It was an absolutely fantastic day, so I just had to write a short blog post and share the route.
Travelling From Tokyo to Mitake Station
My morning didn’t begin particularly early, to tell you the truth. I left home at around 7:30am and caught the 7:40 train from Kōenji Station, eventually arriving at Mitake Station at 9am on the dot.
One of the best things about living in western Tokyo is how easy it is to travel in either direction. From Kōenji, I’m only around nine minutes from Shinjuku when I travel east, but if I head west, I can be surrounded by mountains, rivers and hiking trails in around an hour and a half.
The train journey to Mitake is also relatively simple. I catch the train from Kōenji to Mitaka, continue from Mitaka towards Ōme and then take the final train from Ōme to Mitake. There are a couple of transfers, but I don’t need to walk between different stations or navigate anything particularly complicated.
On weekends, these trains are always full of hikers and trail runners heading out towards the mountains. I don’t always manage to get a seat, but I genuinely enjoy seeing everyone getting after it early on a Sunday morning.
People are carrying hiking poles, backpacks, climbing gear and trail running vests, and the atmosphere on the train gradually changes as Tokyo disappears behind you. By the time we reached Mitake, I was excited, properly awake and ready to run.
Planning the Mitake to Mount Otake and Okutama Route
My original plan was to run approximately 20 kms from Mitake Station to Okutama Station, running through the mountains via the area around Musashi Mitake Shrine and, most importantly, Mount Otake, which is also sometimes written as Mount Odake.
Mount Otake is one of my favourite places to view Mount Fuji. During winter, when the air is cold and clear and there isn’t any summer haze or humidity hanging in the sky, you can see Fuji sitting behind layer after layer of surrounding mountains.
It creates this beautiful stacked effect, with all the darker mountain ridges in the foreground and Mount Fuji rising clearly behind them. It is honestly one of my favourite Mount Fuji viewpoints close to Tokyo.
Summer is a little different. Even on a clear day, the humidity and haze can reduce the visibility so much that Fuji disappears completely. I knew there was a good chance I wouldn’t see it this time, but that didn’t really matter because the route itself is still beautiful.
Before starting, I also gave myself an optional extension. If I reached Okutama Station and still felt strong, I would continue approximately 11 kms along the road back towards Mitake Station.
That would turn the route into a full 30-kilometre loop and make it a much more serious Sunday training session. I liked the sound of that!
The Six-Kilometre Paved Climb From Mitake Station
The first section begins at Mitake Station and follows the road uphill towards the village and shrine area around Mount Mitake.
The opening kilometre is relatively manageable, but once you pass beneath the red torii gate, the road begins climbing properly and barely gives you a break. From that point onwards, it is a long and continuous paved ascent for several kilometres.
This first climb is around six kms from memory, and it took me just under an hour. I was working very hard to stay on my toes and continue running the entire way, but this was supposed to be a serious training run, so I didn’t want to settle into walking too early.
It was already incredibly hot and humid, and the road seemed to keep climbing forever. Still, I felt strong and was really proud of the effort. Running the entire ascent gave the day a proper start and immediately made the route feel like more than a casual Sunday trail adventure.
Once I reached the little village area near the top, I stopped briefly at one of the shops and bought two packets of sugary caramel puffs. Each packet had around 50 grams of carbs or sugar, and they turned out to be absolutely essential for keeping my energy levels up throughout the run.
They probably weren’t the most sophisticated form of trail running nutrition, but they tasted excellent and did the job perfectly.
Running Through the Forest Towards Mount Otake
From the village, I ran past Musashi Mitake Shrine rather than climbing the final steps to the shrine itself. I continued around the Rock Garden area and then followed the trails leading towards Mount Otake.
This was where the run completely changed.
The first section had been a hard paved climb, but the second section took me properly into the forest. I was still gaining elevation, but instead of running on the road, I was now moving through shaded mountain trails covered in rocks, roots and uneven ground.
The shade made the temperature slightly more manageable, although it was still very hot and humid. The air felt cooler beneath the trees, and I loved suddenly being surrounded by the forest after spending the first hour grinding my way up the road.
This section required much more concentration because I need to watch my footing and choose my lines through the rocks and tree roots. At the same time, that technical element made the run much more enjoyable. It finally felt like proper trail running.
I reached the summit of Mount Otake at around the two-hour mark and was still feeling really good. There were plenty of hikers gathered near the top, although the summer haze meant there was no clear view of Mount Fuji this time.
I didn’t mind too much. I ate my second packet of caramel puffs, drank some water and took a short moment to enjoy being at the top before continuing towards Okutama.
The Long Technical Descent Towards Okutama
The third major section of the route was the long and steady descent from Mount Otake towards Okutama.
After approximately two hours of climbing, it was nice to finally begin moving downhill. The descent was still technical enough that I couldn’t completely switch off, though, and I spent around an hour and a half carefully working my way through the forest.
There were plenty of rocks, roots, narrow sections and uneven trails, which gave me a great opportunity to practise my descending and technical footwork. I focused on keeping my steps quick and controlled while trying to move smoothly rather than braking too heavily on every steep section.
I really enjoyed this part of the run. Long technical descents are something I want to continue improving, and this route gave me plenty of time to work on my confidence and efficiency without the pressure of actually being in a race.
The trail followed parts of the mountain ridgeline before gradually dropping towards the Okutama Gorge. By the time I reached the bottom, I was absolutely parched and very ready to stop for a few minutes.
I refilled my water bottles, ate a couple of gels and then jumped straight into the river for a swim.
Cooling Down in the Okutama River
The water was freezing cold, even in the middle of summer, but after several hours of running through the heat and humidity, it felt absolutely amazing.
I stayed in the water for around 20 minutes, cooling my body down and allowing my legs to relax before deciding what to do next. There were heaps of families and groups of friends gathered nearby, swimming, drinking, eating and having barbecues beside the river.
That is one of the things I love most about Okutama and Mitake in summer. Everyone escapes the city and gathers beside the water to cool down, and the entire area has this relaxed weekend atmosphere.
You can do something similar if you travel in the opposite direction and finish near Mitake. The same river continues down through the region, and there are plenty of places where people swim, barbecue and spend the afternoon beside the water.
After the swim, some more water and a little extra fuel, I felt surprisingly good. My legs had already completed several hours of climbing and descending, but I still had plenty of energy and didn’t really feel ready to finish the day.
So naturally, I decided to keep running.
Turning the Route Into a 30-Kilometre Sunday Long Run
I continued from the gorge towards Okutama Station with my watch still recording. By the time I reached the station, I had just ticked over 20 kms.
I looked up the distance back to Mitake Station and saw that it was 11 kms by road. I was still feeling good, so I decided to turn the day into something closer to a proper trail race experience and complete the full loop.
Not every trail race takes place entirely on trails. Plenty of events include significant paved or road-running sections, sometimes lasting 10, 20 or even more kilometres!
I experienced exactly that during the Deep Japan Ultra 80K the previous month, so I thought the run back towards Mitake would be a good opportunity to practise moving steadily on the road after already spending several hours in the mountains.
By this stage, I had put on some upbeat techno and dance music, settled into a comfortable rhythm and focused on keeping my heart rate controlled. The steep climbing and technical terrain were behind me, so I could finally stop thinking about every foot placement and simply let the kilometres tick over.
That final road section felt completely different from everything that had come before it. Earlier in the day, I had been grinding up a steep paved ascent, climbing through the forest and carefully descending technical trails. Now, I could cruise along the road, enjoy the music and focus on maintaining a steady pace on tired legs.
It was exactly the kind of variety I wanted from the run.
I eventually arrived back at Mitake Station with 30k completed. I felt incredibly satisfied, and my body was definitely ready for a very large meal and another swim before getting back on the train.
A Huge Post-Run Meal in Mitake
Almost immediately after finishing, I found a smoothie shop and ordered a green smoothie. I then walked across the road to a small Chinese-Japanese restaurant for a much more substantial post-run meal.
I ordered a very large portion of oyakodon, a pork and bean sprout stir-fry and six pieces of gyoza. After running for more than 30 kilometres through the mountains, it absolutely hit the spot.
The restaurant was air-conditioned, which gave me a chance to properly cool down and stop feeling so hot and bothered. The food was filling, relatively healthy and exactly what I needed after such a long morning.
The oyakodon gave me a huge serving of rice, chicken and egg, while the pork and bean sprout stir-fry added even more protein and vegetables. The gyoza disappeared very quickly as well.
It was one of those post-run meals where everything tastes even better because your body genuinely needs it.
Once I finished eating, I headed down to the river near Mitake Station for my second swim of the day. The water was just as cold and refreshing as it had been in Okutama, and it was the perfect way to finish the afternoon.
I had packed a change of clothes inside my running vest but had forgotten to bring a towel, which wasn’t ideal. Thankfully, it was still hot enough outside that I could stand around for a few minutes and dry naturally before getting changed.
After the swim, I walked back to Mitake Station, jumped on the train and began the journey back towards Tokyo. I even arrived home in time to eat my usual dinner of steak, broccoli, kimchi and rice.
Not a bad Sunday at all.
Why This Is One of the Best Trail Running Routes Near Tokyo
What made this route so special was the amount of variety packed into a single day.
The run began with an intense six-kilometre paved ascent from Mitake Station, which forced me to work hard from the very beginning. From there, it transitioned into another hour of climbing through technical forest trails towards Mount Otake.
The next section was a long, controlled descent towards Okutama, where I could work on my technical footwork and descending before reaching the river for a swim. Once I had cooled down and refuelled, I finished with another 11 kms of steady road running back towards Mitake.
It felt like several different training sessions combined into one route, which is exactly why I enjoyed it so much.
More importantly, though, it was just a genuinely enjoyable Sunday.
I left the city in the morning, travelled into the mountains, completed a challenging long run and swam in two beautiful sections of the river. I also enjoyed a huge post-run meal before getting back on the train and arriving home in time for dinner.
That combination of serious training and a proper outdoor adventure is one of the main reasons I love living in western Tokyo. During the week, I’m surrounded by the city, but on Sunday morning, I can catch a train from Kōenji and be running through the mountains less than two hours later.
You don’t need a car, an overnight stay or a complicated travel plan. You can leave Tokyo in the morning, complete a proper mountain run, swim in the river, enjoy a huge meal and still be home that evening.
Should You Try the Mitake to Okutama Trail Running Route?
For anyone who enjoys hiking, trail running, long-distance running or outdoor adventures, this is definitely a route worth saving.
The shorter option is to begin at Mitake Station, climb towards Mount Otake and finish at Okutama Station after approximately 20 kilometres. That still gives you a challenging day with plenty of elevation, technical trails and a swim in the gorge at the end.
If you are feeling strong and want a more serious long run, you can continue from Okutama Station and follow the road back towards Mitake. That brings the total distance to around 30 kilometres and adds a completely different type of running to the final section of the day.
Whichever option you choose, make sure you carry enough water and fuel, particularly during summer. It was extremely hot and humid, and the caramel puffs, gels and river stops made a huge difference to how well I felt throughout the run.
I would also strongly recommend packing a change of clothes and, unlike me, remembering to bring a towel.
This was easily one of the best Sunday long runs I’ve completed near Tokyo. The route was challenging without feeling miserable, varied enough that I never became bored and beautiful from beginning to end, even without the usual view of Mount Fuji.
I arrived back in Tokyo feeling tired, fulfilled and incredibly grateful that a day like this is so accessible from the city.
Hopefully, you get the chance to try the route yourself, or create a similar Sunday trail running adventure wherever you live.
Thanks so much for reading!
For more trail running, training and racing adventures around Japan, follow me on Instagram at @alextheathlete_ or visit alexschubach.com :)
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