June 4th: Okutama
When you think of Tokyo, you tend to picture busy streets, crowds, luxury shopping centres, and skyscrapers. Maybe a shrine or two. But Tokyo is enormous, it has a lot to offer.
I've gone on many day trips within Tokyo and outside the city limits during my years of Japan adventures, but this time around, mostly due to work and stressful house buying, I haven't been able to travel around as much as I'd like. Hoping to fix that during the next couple of months!
However, on June 4th, Christian and I went on a trip to Okutama. It's located about 80 km or so west of Tokyo station, but it is still part of Tokyo Prefecture. It's a picturesque village with mountains, lakes and rivers. Ideal for day tripping or even overnight stays if you want to go on longer hikes.
We jumped on a train, and about two hours later, we were standing outside the train station. Our goal for the day? A little bit of beginner level urbexing.
I guess I've been fascinated with urban exploration for a while, I've spent a lot of time looking at photo galleries taken at abandoned places, but I've never had the opportunity to search out any of these places myself. I didn't think I'd ever be brave enough to either. But we had heard that there was an abandoned ropeway station to be explored in Okutama, and we wanted to go see it.
Okutama station (the red pin) is pretty far west.
We got off at Okutama station, explored the nearby area for a little while, picked up some snacks and supplies, and got on a bus.
About 40 minutes later we're here. According to the map, the station is across this bridge.
Looking across the lake, we spotted the pylons for the ropeway, we used them as guides while hiking up a steep hill.
And here it is! 三頭山口駅 (Mitou-san guchi station).
The station is a pretty popular destination, but despite some graffiti and a few odd abandoned items, the place seemed pretty undisturbed. We met fellow explorers during our time there. Another couple taking in the sights and a lone cyclist who'd left his bike down by the road to take some pictures before heading back.
One of the cars is still at the station. The retro design is adorable.
The ropeway was opened in 1961, but closed in the 70's due to financial difficulties.
A smashed up guitar left on the ticket counter.
A 1960's fire extinguisher.
I'm not sure how much time we spent there, but we took plenty of pictures and eventually made our way back down. We wanted to see if it was possible to reach the station on the other side of the lake as well. Once across, we could see it from the road below, but couldn't find any access points. Private properties and fences in our way.
We jumped on a bus and went to see the lake instead. It was beautiful.
We ended our trip with a visit to a local mountain shrine before we headed back to Okutama station and eventually back home.
On the train back home now. What a great day trip! pic.twitter.com/E256MQ1255
- Tove ・ とうふ (@twiss) June 4, 2016
I've gone on many day trips within Tokyo and outside the city limits during my years of Japan adventures, but this time around, mostly due to work and stressful house buying, I haven't been able to travel around as much as I'd like. Hoping to fix that during the next couple of months!
However, on June 4th, Christian and I went on a trip to Okutama. It's located about 80 km or so west of Tokyo station, but it is still part of Tokyo Prefecture. It's a picturesque village with mountains, lakes and rivers. Ideal for day tripping or even overnight stays if you want to go on longer hikes.
We jumped on a train, and about two hours later, we were standing outside the train station. Our goal for the day? A little bit of beginner level urbexing.
I guess I've been fascinated with urban exploration for a while, I've spent a lot of time looking at photo galleries taken at abandoned places, but I've never had the opportunity to search out any of these places myself. I didn't think I'd ever be brave enough to either. But we had heard that there was an abandoned ropeway station to be explored in Okutama, and we wanted to go see it.
Okutama station (the red pin) is pretty far west.
We got off at Okutama station, explored the nearby area for a little while, picked up some snacks and supplies, and got on a bus.
About 40 minutes later we're here. According to the map, the station is across this bridge.
Looking across the lake, we spotted the pylons for the ropeway, we used them as guides while hiking up a steep hill.
And here it is! 三頭山口駅 (Mitou-san guchi station).
The station is a pretty popular destination, but despite some graffiti and a few odd abandoned items, the place seemed pretty undisturbed. We met fellow explorers during our time there. Another couple taking in the sights and a lone cyclist who'd left his bike down by the road to take some pictures before heading back.
One of the cars is still at the station. The retro design is adorable.
The ropeway was opened in 1961, but closed in the 70's due to financial difficulties.
A smashed up guitar left on the ticket counter.
A 1960's fire extinguisher.
I'm not sure how much time we spent there, but we took plenty of pictures and eventually made our way back down. We wanted to see if it was possible to reach the station on the other side of the lake as well. Once across, we could see it from the road below, but couldn't find any access points. Private properties and fences in our way.
We jumped on a bus and went to see the lake instead. It was beautiful.
We ended our trip with a visit to a local mountain shrine before we headed back to Okutama station and eventually back home.
On the train back home now. What a great day trip! pic.twitter.com/E256MQ1255
- Tove ・ とうふ (@twiss) June 4, 2016