Surprisingly, the western part of Tokyo is filled with natural beauties.
It’s not just Akigawa Valley in Akiruno City that represents Tokyo’s natural beauty. If you ever make it out to Akiruno, why not swing by nearby Hinode Town too?
I reckon there’s no better spot than this to kick back, enjoy some easygoing countryside vibes, and hit the hiking trails, don’t you think?
Hinode Town is a quaint little town nestled in the western part of Tokyo, adjacent to Akiruno City. It may be a bit inconvenient to reach this town by public transportation, as the only option is to take a bus from Musashi Itsukaichi Station in Akiruno City on the Itsukaichi Line or Fussa Station in Ome City on the Ome Line.
With its small, peaceful, and nature-rich streets, it is highly recommended to start with a leisurely stroll through the town. There are also well-maintained hiking trails, so enjoying a casual mountain hike is not a bad idea either.
Let’s take a stroll through Hinode Town
Let’s start walking from a casual spot and make our way to Hinode Town’s iconic landmark, the Great Buddha.
While untouched nature has its own allure, there’s something uniquely charming about the countryside crafted by human hands and nature together. The constant chirping of birds, pathways lined with towering trees, fields brimming with crops, old traditional houses, and small roadside stone statues add to its character.
Unmanned vegetable stands are a testament to the enduring trust in humanity. Walking through the countryside, you can’t help but feel a profound sense of contentment. Maybe it’s not just a Japanese thing, but there’s something truly special about it, don’t you think?
A. Start from Miyoshino Bus Stop
Let’s start our walk from Miyoshino Bus Stop (marked as A on the map). If you’re coming from Fussa Station (marked as ❶ on the map) on the Ome Line , hop on the 30 or 32 bus from the West Exit Plaza, it’ll take about 15 minutes. And, if you’re coming from Musashi Itsukaichi Station (marked as ❷ on the map) on the Itsukaichi Line, catch the 27 or 30 bus from the No. 3 Bus Stop right in the station plaza. It’ll take around 20 minutes.
Just head east along the road from the bus stop for a bit, then take the road heading north where you’ll come across a bridge. Once you cross the bridge, that’s where our walking trail begins!
Along the way, you might come across charming unmanned vegetable stands like this. While leafy greens might not be ideal for snacking on the spot, how about tasting a tomato or some fruit? Prices are neatly displayed on the packages—like 100 yen or 200 yen—so don’t forget to leave payment. It goes without saying, but these goodies aren’t freebies, so let’s make sure to pay our way.
You might also come across statues like this during your stroll!
Ojizo-sama are stone statues revered as local guardians in Japanese Buddhist culture. Many people pray to them, hoping for the safety and happiness of children and travelers. It’s not a bad idea to offer a prayer for a safe journey by placing your hands together in front of them.
B. Kasuga Shrine
The path runs behind Kasuga Shrine (marked as B on the map). Taking a stroll around the grounds and spending some time there could also be nice.
There are some spots along the way where the greenery casts deep shadows. How about taking a moment to stop and close your eyes, listening carefully? You’ll hear the chirping of various birds, and it’s guaranteed to leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
C. Great Buddha, Rokuya Daibutsu, at Hokoji Temple
As you walk along the road, you’ll find the Great Buddha, Rokuya Daibutsu (marked as C on the map), atop a hill in the distance. It’s said to be even larger than the famous Kamakura Daibutsu, standing at an impressive 12 meters tall.
With the intention of promoting peace and spreading the teachings of Buddhism in Western Tokyo Area, the 32nd Chief Priest pledged to establish the Great Buddha. Using techniques from a thousand years ago, it was completed in 2018 and is now revered as an iconic symbol of Hinode Town.
On the way back from the Rokuya Daibutsu, if you continue west along the original road, you’ll come across the Shiozawa Hokoji-mae Bus Stop (marked as D on the map), located near the intersection with a main street. From there, you can catch the 27 or 30 bus heading west and arrive at Musashi Itsukaichi Station (marked as ❷ on the map) in about 15 minutes.
Let’s hike up to Mt. Hinode Yama; Panoramic view of the surroundings
If you’re in Hinode Town, it is highly recommend to hike up Mt. Hinode Yama. If you’re a bit accustomed to hiking, it’s worth going via Shiraiwa Falls to reach the top. The trail is well-maintained, so you shouldn’t get lost, but don’t forget to prepare in advance!
(If you want to see the current view from the summit of Mt. Hinode Yama, click Live Camera Channel.)
Points to keep in mind when hiking up;
If you’re planning to hike, it’s advisable to make some basic preparations:
– It’s better to wear clothing that allows easy movement rather than everyday attire.
– Slip-resistant hiking shoes are recommended for footwear.
– Use a backpack that leaves your hands free.
– Since you’ll sweat, clothing made from materials other than cotton is better.
– Rain gear should include both a waterproof jacket and pants.
– Don’t forget to bring a water bottle or something similar for staying hydrated!
In addition, don’t forget to check the weather forecast before you head out, and of course, it’s a good idea to steer clear of hiking on rainy days. Be extra careful, if it rained the day before. The steep slopes on mountain trails can get pretty slippery, making accidents more likely.
Point ❸: Start from Shiraiwataki Bus Stop
The hiking trail begins from Shiraiwataki Bus Stop (marked as ❸ on the map) . If you catch the 20 or 21 bus from No. 3 Bus Stop in front of Musashi Itsukaichi Station (marked as ❷ on the map), you’ll arrive in about 15 minutes.
Point ❹: Shiraiwa Falls
The photo shows the first waterfall, which you can reach in about twenty minutes from Shiraiwataki Bus Stop. As you continue along the mountain trail from the first waterfall, you’ll come across more and more waterfalls, making it quite fantastic.
Just a heads up, the path to the first waterfall is mostly paved and very easy to walk. However, as you climb further, it becomes a dirt mountain trail, so it might be a good idea to turn back at the first waterfall.
Point ❺ Summit of Mt. Hinode Yama
It takes about 120 minutes to walk from the entrance of the trail, via Shiraiwa Falls, to the summit of Mt.Hinode Yama.
To reach the ridge of the mountain, there are quite steep slopes, and the entire hike takes about 120 minutes one way, so this route might be more suitable for experienced hikers.
Point ❻ Descending to the Mt. Hinode Yama Trailhead
You can descend from Mt. Hinode Yama to the Mt. Hinode Yama Trailhead in about an hour. Along the way, the path splits into the old trail and the new trail. The old trail follows the ridge of the mountain, while the new trail runs along the valley’s river.
If you’re not very accustomed to mountain trails, it might be better to hike round-trip from the Mt. Hinode Yama Trailhead without going via Shiraiwa Falls. That way, it’s about 2 hours round trip, which might be more preferable.
Since the new trail is mostly paved and easy to walk, if you’re planning to take this route round trip, it’s advisable to take the old trail on the way up and the new trail on the way back.
⇒ For more detail route infomration, click here!
Detore Point ❼ Tsure Tsure Onsen Hot Spring
It’s only a 5-minute walk from the Mt. Hinode Yama Trailhead to Tsuru Tsuru Onsen Hot Spring (marked as ❼ on the map), so why not treat yourself to a relaxing soak in the hot springs after your hike? The hot springs around here have an alkaline quality, leaving your skin feeling silky smooth after a dip. Not only does it help relieve fatigue, but it’s also great for your skin—It’s a double win hot spring experience!
As you can see in the photo, the facility is currently undergoing renovations, so the exterior looks like this. However, inside, it offers your typical services. A bit disappointing is that the scaffolding for renovations can obstruct the view from inside, preventing you from enjoying the surrounding scenery. The renovations are scheduled to be completed by the end of August 2024.
Detore Point ❽ Sakana-En Fish Park
If you’re looking to enjoy river activities like playing in the clear streams, fishing, and having an outdoor BBQ, consider stopping by Sakana-En Fish Park (marked as ❽ on the map). No preparation is needed, as you can enjoy stream fishing, pond fishing, and even fish catching for kids. While BBQ requires a reservation, it’s also possible. Moreover, you can also host nature-themed gatherings here (up to 50 people, reservation required).
Contact Number: (+81) 042 597 4991
Sakana-En Fish Park is located along the bus route heading towards Tsuru Tsuru Onsen and the trailhead for Mt. Hinode Yama.
If you catch the 20 or 21 bus from No. 3 Bus Stop in front of Musashi Itsukaichi Station (marked as E on the map), you’ll arrive here in about 15 minutes. From Tsuru Tsuru Onsen Hot Spring, you can arrive here in about 10 minutes by any bus.
Heading back to Musashi Itsukaichi Station (marked as ❷ on the map) is easy, as you can take any bus going downhill from the bus stop along the way. Just keep in mind that the buses run every hour, so it might be a good idea to check the schedule beforehand.
⇒ For strolling around Akiruno City right by Hinode Town, click here!
PR
As a base to enjoy the nature in Akiruno City and Hinode Town, TokuraCastle3 is available:
PR
Staying near Fussa Station, Toyoko Inn Tokyo Fussa Station Higashi is available:
You know, there was a time when the saying ‘Small is Beautiful’ was all the rage, and Hinode Town is exactly that. It seems like the bigger things get, the more charm they tend to lose. Tokyo, with its history dating back 400 years to the Edo period, is a charming city, but it’s also lost a lot to development projects over the years.
Still, there’s plenty around Tokyo’s outskirts that hasn’t been lost yet, so it is definitely recommended to stretch your legs out there.