Okutama

Japanese: 奥多摩 - おくたま

Located in the western part of Tokyo, in the upper reaches of the Tama River system, this area is known for its mountainous beauty. The western part of Ome City and Okutama Town are in the Tama River basin, while the village of Hinohara and the city of Akiruno are in the basin of its tributary, the Akigawa River. Furthermore, the basin of the Taba River upstream from Lake Okutama belongs to the village of Tabayama in Yamanashi Prefecture. Okutama is home to a series of mountains in the 1,500 to 2,000 meter range, including Mount Kumotori (2,017 meters), the highest peak in Tokyo, Mount Oobora, Mount Nanatsuishi, Mount Takanosu, Mount Mutsuishi, Mount Toritani, and Mount Mito, and the valleys that cut into the mountains are also beautiful. The mountainous area is divided into a subalpine zone with larch and hemlock trees above 1500 meters, a mid-mountain zone with beech and white birch trees from 1000 to 1500 meters, and a low mountain zone with artificial forests of cedar and cypress and mixed forests of oak and sawtooth oak below 1000 meters. The main tourist spots are Mt. Kumotori, which has the best view, Lake Okutama with Ogouchi Dam, Akigawa Valley, Mitake Valley, Mt. Mitake with Mitake Shrine, the village of Kazuma with its helmet-style houses and old folk customs, Nippara Cave and Kurazawa Cave (now closed), and Tamba Valley with its excellent autumn leaves, and belong to Chichibu Tama Kai National Park. It is highly used by many tourists and climbers due to its close proximity to the urban area of Tokyo. The JR Ome Line runs to Okutama Station (Hikawa), and the JR Itsukaichi Line runs to Musashi-Itsukaichi Station. In addition to the Ome Kaido, there is also the Okutama Loop Road that runs from Kazuma to the southern shore of Lake Okutama.

[Kiyoshi Sawada]

"Okutama Tokodokoro" by Kotaro Sato (1957, Keio Tama Cultural Association)

Akigawa Valley
Akigawa, a tributary of the Tama River, is a valley stretching about 20km from the Ajirobashi Bridge in Akiruno City to Hinode Village. Blessed with natural beauty, it presents beautiful scenery in each season with fresh greenery and autumn leaves. Many people visit for fishing, playing in the river, camping, barbecues, and more. It is part of Chichibu Tama Kai National Park. The photo shows the Ishifunebashi Bridge in Akiruno City. Akiruno City, Tokyo and Hinode Village, Nishitama District © Akiruno City Tourism Association Itsukaichi Branch ">

Akigawa Valley

Mitake Valley
The Tamagawa River flows north of Mt. Mitake, and the valley stretches for about 4km between Kaedebashi Bridge and Mitakebashi Bridge, south of Sawai Station. It is one of the most beautiful valleys in the Chichibu Tama Kai National Park. It is also known as a mecca for canoeing, and many people visit to enjoy water sports. Ome City, Tokyo © Ome City Tourism Association ">

Mitake Valley

Mount Mitake
A famous mountain (center back in the photo) located at the southwestern edge of Ome City. It is 929m above sea level. It is also called Bushu Ontake. On the summit is Ontake Shrine, which was established through the faith of Edo townspeople (Ontake-ko). Even today, it is visited by many tourists as a tourist spot near Tokyo. It is part of Chichibu Tama Kai National Park. Ome City, Tokyo © Ome City Tourism Association ">

Mount Mitake

Musashi Mitake Shrine
It is enshrined at the summit of Mt. Mitake, one of the most sacred mountains in the Kanto region. The date of its founding is unknown, but the shrine's traditions say it was in the 7th year of the reign of Emperor Sujin. During the Edo period, it was widely worshipped as the god of agriculture. Even today, the approach to the shrine is lined with lodgings, and it is crowded with many worshippers. Mt. Mitake is part of Chichibu Tama Kai National Park. Ome City, Tokyo © Ome City Tourism Association ">

Musashi Mitake Shrine

Nippara Limestone Cave
This limestone cave is located in Ogawadani, a tributary of the Nippara River. It is one of the largest in the Kanto region and is designated as a natural monument by Tokyo. It was once known as a training ground for ascetic practices, and the stalactites and stalagmites inside the cave, named White Robe Kannon and Kongojo, create a fantastical atmosphere. It is part of Chichibu Tama Kai National Park. The photo shows the entrance. Okutama Town, Nishitama District, Tokyo © Okutama Tourism Association ">

Nippara Limestone Cave

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

Japanese:

東京都西部、多摩川水系の上流域で、山岳美で知られる地域。多摩川流域に青梅(おうめ)市の西部と奥多摩町、その支流秋川流域に檜原(ひのはら)村、あきる野市が属し、さらに奥多摩湖から上流の丹波(たば)川流域は山梨県の丹波山(たばやま)村に属する。奥多摩には東京都で最高峰の雲取山(くもとりやま)（2017メートル）および大洞山、七ツ石山、鷹巣(たかのす)山、六ツ石山、酉谷(とりたに)山、三頭(みとう)山など1500～2000メートル級の山々が連なり、山地を侵食する渓谷もまた美しい。山地のうち、1500メートル以上はカラマツ、コメツガなどの亜高山帯、1000～1500メートルはブナ、シラカンバなどの中山帯、1000メートル以下はスギ、ヒノキの人工林とナラ、クヌギなどの雑木林の低山帯に分かれる。おもな観光地としては、もっとも展望のよい雲取山、小河内(おごうち)ダムの奥多摩湖、秋川渓谷、御岳渓谷(みたけけいこく)、御嶽(みたけ)神社の御岳山、かぶと造の民家や古い民俗の残る数馬(かずま)の集落、日原鍾乳洞(にっぱらしょうにゅうどう)や倉沢鍾乳洞（現在は閉鎖）、紅葉の優れた丹波渓谷などがあり、秩父多摩甲斐国立公園(ちちぶたまかいこくりつこうえん)に属する。東京の市街地に近接することから観光、登山客が多く利用度が高い。JR青梅線が奥多摩駅（氷川(ひかわ)）、JR五日市線が武蔵(むさし)五日市駅まで通じ、青梅街道のほか数馬から奥多摩湖南岸まで奥多摩周遊道路がある。

［沢田　清］

『佐藤孝太郎著『奥多摩ところどころ』（1957・京王多摩文化会）』

秋川渓谷
多摩川の支流秋川のうち、あきる野市網代橋付近から檜原村に及ぶ約20kmの渓谷。自然美に恵まれ、新緑や紅葉など四季それぞれに美しい景観を呈する。釣りや川遊び、キャンプ、バーベキューなどを目的に多くの人が訪れる。秩父多摩甲斐国立公園の一部。写真はあきる野市の石舟橋付近。東京都あきる野市・西多摩郡檜原村©あきる野市観光協会五日市支部">

秋川渓谷

御岳渓谷
御岳山の北側を流れる多摩川上流、沢井駅南の楓橋―御岳橋間約4kmの渓谷。秩父多摩甲斐国立公園域内でも有数の渓谷美を誇る。カヌーのメッカとしても知られ、ウォータースポーツを楽しむために訪れる人も多い。東京都青梅市©一般社団法人青梅市観光協会">

御岳渓谷

御岳山
青梅市南西端にある名山（写真中央奥）。標高929m。武州御岳ともよばれる。山頂には江戸町民の信仰（御岳講）によって開けた御嶽神社が鎮座する。現在も東京近郊の観光地として多くの観光客が訪れる。秩父多摩甲斐国立公園の一部。東京都青梅市©一般社団法人青梅市観光協会">

御岳山

武蔵御嶽神社
関東有数の霊山御岳山山頂に鎮座する。創祀不詳だが、社伝では崇神天皇7年と伝える。江戸時代には農耕の神として広く信仰されたという。現在も参道には宿坊が並び、多くの参拝客でにぎわう。御岳山は秩父多摩甲斐国立公園に属する。東京都青梅市©一般社団法人青梅市観光協会">

武蔵御嶽神社

日原鍾乳洞
日原川支流の小川谷にある鍾乳洞。関東最大級の規模を誇り、東京都の天然記念物に指定されている。かつては修験道場として知られ、洞内の白衣観音、金剛杖などと名づけられた鍾乳石や石筍が幻想的な雰囲気をかもし出している。秩父多摩甲斐国立公園に属する。写真は入口。東京都西多摩郡奥多摩町©奥多摩観光協会">

日原鍾乳洞

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