Mount Nokogiri is accessable via train, express bus or by car.

It is a long train ride from Shinjuku

If you are traveling from Tokyo, then the easiest route is on the Aqua Line road. The road runs half under the sea and half over water. Once you arrive at Nokogiri there are several car parks. If you decide to park in the cable car parking lot, it is free, as long as you take the cable car at least one way. Our favourite method is to hike up and take the cable car back down.

There are 2 more car parks at the top of the mountain. The first one requires you to take a toll road costing ¥1000, but there are no parking fees at the top. The second road takes you to the car park right next to the stone Buddha, this is the one you will need to take if you have mobility issues. At the time of writing, there are no fees for that road or carpark. However, it is entirely possible that this has changed or will change in the future. There are other small carparks around the town.

Car Access

If you decide to take the trails, there are a lot of old worn and sometimes quite dangerous steps. On top of that the trails are uneven to say the least, so make sure to wear a good pair of ankle supporting hiking boots. We don't recommend the trails with children under 10 years old.

There are thousands of steps (2639 steps according to Google) which makes it difficult for people with mobility issues. Even if you take the cable car up to the temple and stone Buddha area, you will still need to take many flights of stairs, and then take them back to the cablecar again. If you plan to take pictures on the famous Jikoku Nozoki cliff, you will need to be wearing good gripping sports shoes. There are no steps and getting up there is a semi-climbing experience. For those with mobility issues, there is a carpark right next to the Buddha statue and temple. Although sadly you won't be able to see other attractions without taking stairs, the statue alone is magnificent and there are beautiful views over the surrounding area from the nearby benches.

Temple Map
Area map with hiking routes

Cable Car / Toilets / Restaurant

Cable Car Fares

Adults (over 12 years): ¥500 (one way), ¥950 (round trip)

Children(6~11 years): ¥250 (one way), ¥450 (round trip)

Opening Hours

Nov 16th ~ Feb 15th 9:00~16:00

Feb 16th ~ Nov 15th 9:00~17:00

In peak summer times the cable car stays open until 18:00

Nokogiriyama Ropeway Website (English)
Nokogiriyama Ropeway brochure

Restaurants and refreshments

There is a canteen at the top ropeway.

There are famous restaurants at the base of the mountain serving aji fry (breaded fried horse mackerel), BBQ shellfish, sushi and more. The famous aji fry restaurant can sometimes run out of fish before their official closing time.

There are vending machines selling cool drinks in various areas of the temple side of the mountain

Toilets

There are restrooms at both ends of the ropeway, as well as next to the Giant Buddha car park.

The valley is accessable via train.

Train: From Shinjuku take the JR Chuo Line to Ome Station (青梅). You may need to change at Tachikawa Station depending on the train you get. Once at Ome Station, switch to the JR Ome Line (青梅線) get off at Okutama Station (奥多摩駅).

Moderately easy 8.5km hike which can be cut shorter as you pass 2 stations on the way.

Okutama ~ Koji

If you take the Okutama to Koji route, there is very little incline, most of the route is flat or downhill

Koji ~ Okutama

Going the opposite way, you will have some uphill stretches and steps to climb.

Toilets / Restaurants / Picnic area

Picnic Area: There are picnic tables near to the dam. There are also plenty of pebble beaches and rocky areas that are great for picnics.

Restaurants: There are several stations along the way with great restaurants. There is a delicious hamburger steak restaurant near the river, pizza restaurants and traditional restaurants serving kamameishi.

Toilets: There are toilets outside the stations and more toilets at various points along the trail.