Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park

Overview | Mountains | Valleys & Gorges | Facilities | Access

Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park overview

Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park is a 1,262 km2 (487 square mile) national park comprising the Okutama, Chichibu and Kai districts, and covering four prefectures: Tokyo, Saitama, Nagano, and Yamanashi. From the Tokyo metropolis, it starts with the Tama district (Nishitama, Okutama), goes somewhat north to the Chichibu district, then stretches out west to the Kai district in Yamanashi prefecture.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park is on the edge of the Tokyo metropolis, allowing easy escape from the urban conglomeration, and offering both facilities for the escapee and the refuge of the wilderness

Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park mountains

Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park is made up of non-volcanic mountains averaging about 1,000 meters in height, forming river valleys that beautifully showcase each season. It has at its center the Okuchichi Sankai mountain mass, at least 18 peaks of which are over 2,000 m (6,500 feet) high.

Mountains that are geographically prominent include Mt. Kinpu (AKA Mt. Kinpo) at 2,599m (8,527 feet) on the border of Yamanashi and Nagano prefectures, featuring the Kanazakura Shrine at its peak, Mt. Kobushigatake (see photo at top) at 2,475m (8,120 feet) at the junction of Nagano, Saitama, and Yamanashi prefectures, the majestically craggy Mt. Mizugakiat 2,230m (7,316 feet) in Hokuto City, Yamanashi prefecture, Daibosatsurei Ridge at 2,057m (6,748 feet) in Koshu City, Yamanashi prefecture, and Mt. Kumotori at 2,017m (6,617 feet) at the junction of Tokyo, Saitama and Yamanashi prefectures.

Valleys and Gorges

Nishizawa-keikoku (accessible from Kofu City via Route 140; take the Nishizawa-keikoku Exit at the northern end of the Hirose Dam lake), with numerous picturesque waterfalls on the Fuefuki River, most notably the Nanatsugama Five-Tiered Waterfalls.
Google Map

On the next tributary north is Higashi-keikoku Gorge (the nishi , or "west," and higashi , or "east," are misleading here!) - not as famous as Nishizawa Keikoku, but also a trove of scenic beauty.

Mitake Shosenkyo in Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture, is at the westernmost edge of Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park, and is only half an hour's ride from Kofu City, the capital of Yamanashi prefecture. It was officially designated a National Beauty Spot in 1953.

Mitsumine Jinja, south-east of Lake Chichibu, is one of the three most famous shrines in Chichibu, along with Chichibu Jinja and Hodosan Jinja.

Lake Okutama is surrounded by natural hot spa establishments, including the famous Nomekoiyu Onsen spa.

Facilities

Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park has several public facilities, including visitor centers:

Mitake Visitors' Center
38-5 Mitakesan, Ome-shi, Tokyo 198-0175
9am-4.30pm
Tel 0428-78-9363
Fax 0428-78-9445
Mitake Visitors' Center website
Google Map

Okutama Visitors' Center
171-1 Hikawa, Okutama-machi, Nishitama-gun, Tokyo 198-0212
9am-4.30pm
Tel 0428-83-2037
Fax 0428-83-3478
Okutama Visitors' Center website
Google Map

Yamano Furusato Mura ("Mountain Hometown Village")
(Strictly, in Tokyo Prefectural Okutama Kohan Park. Includes camp site, craft center, restaurant.)
1740 Kawano, Okutama-cho, Nishitama-gun, Tokyo 198-0225
TEL:0428-86-2551
FAX:0428-86-2316
Yamano Furusato Mura website
Google Map

Nippara Shinrinkan (Nippara Forest House)
Okutama-machi, Nishitama-gun, Tokyo 198-0211
Tel 0428-83-3300
Nippara Shinrinkan website
Google Map

Hinohara Tomin no Mori ("Forest of Tokyo Citizens")
7146 Kazuma, Hinohara-mura, Nishitama-gun, Tokyo 190-0221
9.30am-5.30pm (closed Mon)
Tel　042-598-6006
Fax　042-598-6703
Hinohara Tomin no Mori website
Google Map

Saitama Prefectural Forest Museum
447 Nakatsugawa, Chichibu-shi, Saitama-ken 369-1903
9am-5pm
Tel　0494-56-0026
Fax　0494-56-0028
Saitama Prefectural Forest Museum website
Google Map

Fureai-no-Mori Camping Ground
c/o Kawakami-mura Village Office
525 Oaza Omiyama, Kawakami-mura, Minami-saku-gun, Nagano-ken 384-1405
Tel 0267-97-2121
Fax 0267-97-2125
Google Map

Access - Getting To Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park

Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park's huge spread means it can be accessed from three railway stations: Chichibu, Oku-tama or Enzan stations.

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