After reaching Lake Okutama at the end of the Mukashi Michi trail, I spent some time on the Ogouchi Dam itself. I then walked in the area north-west of the dam: There are some nice view points of the lake. Finally, I ended the day by hiking up Mount Kurato (倉戸山). However, the view at the summit was blocked by trees so it was a bit of a letdown. I also managed to get lost on the way down… Another option would have been to walk the combined Ikoi trail (奥多摩湖いこいの路 ; literally “Lake Okutama Relax Trail”) + Lakeside Path (湖畔の小道), two easy trails that follow the south bank of the lake all the way from the dam to the so-called Drum Bridge (a floating bridge), near the Ogouchi Shrine.

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Okutama Mukashi Michi (literally “Okutama’s Old Road”) is a 9km path that roughly follows the Tama River from Okutama Station (the last stop of the Ome Line) to Ogouchi Dam and Lake Okutama. It used to be the main road in the area, until 1945 when the new road, which had been constructed originally for transporting material for the construction of Ogouchi Dam, became open to the public. Nowadays, the Mukashi Michi is a popular walking course that goes through mountain trails and paved roads, passing by suspension bridges, shrines and waterfalls along the way and offering a great view on the surrounding mountains, especially now with autumn colors near their peak.

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After enjoying the Hatonosu Valley, I decided to hike the trail to Mount Mitake and Mount Hinode.

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The Otama Trail is in Okutama City, in Nishitama District, the westernmost area of Tokyo. It is a gentle path that follows the Tama River from Kori to Okutama through well-built trails, mountain roads and suspension bridges. I followed it for a short section, from Hatonosu to Shiromaru Dam. Autumn colors were not fully there yet but the sights were still great.

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Earlier this week, I went on a hike to Mount Mitake to Mount Otake and Okutama, in the mountains in the western part of Tokyo.

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