Mt. Honita (Honitayama, 本仁田山, 1,225 m) rises in Okutama Town, Tokyo. As a foothill of Mt. Kawanori, it is a popular point-to-point traverse from JR Ōme Line Okutama Station to Hatonosu Station — a “station-to-station” hike that needs no bus, with about 1,000 m total elevation gain to keep things satisfying. In fresh-green and autumn colour seasons, gaps in the forest offer views toward Mt. Gozen, Mt. Ōdake, and Mt. Kawanori.
From Shinjuku to Okutama Station, about 1 h 40 min to 2 h on the Ōme Line (transfer at Ōme).
Honitayama features the Ōyasumiba Ridge — one of the “Three Great Steep Climbs of Okutama” — with a sustained steep ascent in the early stage. The trailhead is Andera-sawa, and the standard descent is via Daikon-no-Yama-no-Kami to Hatonosu Station on the Hanaorito Ridge. Total time from Okutama → summit → Hatonosu is about 4 h 55 min (elev. +882 m / -919 m, distance 8.3 km). Intermediate level. For latest trail info, see Okutama Town or Ministry of the Environment Kantō Office.
Honitayama is a popular intermediate peak in Okutama. Both Okutama and Hatonosu Stations sit at the trail entry, making this a “station-side” hike. Best seasons are fresh green (mid-April to early May) and autumn colours (early to mid-November).
How to access the trailheads
- [Going] Shinjuku / Tachikawa → Okutama Station (JR Ōme Line)
- [Return] Hatonosu Station → Tachikawa / Shinjuku (JR Ōme Line)
- Recommended plans and trail-area info
Hiking Course Details — Mt. Honita
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Map & Recommended Route — Mt. Honita
1. [Going] Shinjuku / Tachikawa → Okutama Station (JR Ōme Line)
Take the JR Chūō Line from Shinjuku or Tachikawa to Ōme Station, then transfer to the Ōme Line (Okutama-bound) to Okutama Station. The weekend “Holiday Rapid Okutama” no longer runs through to Okutama, so a transfer at Ōme is now standard.
Fare: Shinjuku → Okutama, IC ¥1,100
Time: about 1 h 40 min – 2 h (depending on through/transfer)
From Okutama Station, walk about 30 min to the Andera-sawa trailhead.
● Weekdays: 1–2 trains/h between Ōme and Okutama (1/h early morning and late night).
● Weekends and holidays: 1–2 trains/h between Ōme and Okutama (extra service on Holiday Rapid days).
※ For real-time times, please check JR East e-Station or Yahoo! Transit.
Reference: Yahoo! Transit
2. [Return] Hatonosu Station → Tachikawa / Shinjuku (JR Ōme Line)
From the summit, descend via Daikon-no-Yama-no-Kami down the Hanaorito Ridge to Hatonosu Station (about 2 h 30 min). From Hatonosu Station, take the Ōme Line back toward Tachikawa / Shinjuku.
Fare: Hatonosu → Shinjuku, IC ¥990
Time: about 1 h 40 min (transfer at Ōme or Tachikawa depending on schedule)
The standard course is a one-way traverse — start at Okutama, end at Hatonosu — no backtracking needed.
Hatonosu Station is unstaffed but accepts IC cards, with restrooms and vending machines. There are no restaurants near the station — eat at Tachikawa or Ōme.
Reference: Yahoo! Transit
3. Recommended plans and trail-area info
Standard traverse plan: Okutama Station → Andera-sawa trailhead → Ōyasumiba Ridge (steep climb) → summit → Daikon-no-Yama-no-Kami → Hatonosu Station (about 4 h 55 min, one-way traverse).
Kawanori connection plan: From the summit → Kobutaka-yama → Ōdawa → Mt. Kawanori → Hatonosu or Kori Station (about 7 h, for fit hikers). Bag both Okutama peaks in a day.
Beginner round-trip plan: Okutama Station → Andera-sawa → summit and back → Okutama Station (about 5 h, sampling only the steep climb). Watch your footing on the descent of the same route.
● Water: no water sources on trail. Carry drinking water from around Okutama Station.
● Toilets: at Okutama and Hatonosu Stations. None on trail.
● Hut / shelter: no huts in the Honitayama area — day trip only.
● Onsen after hike: Moegi-no-yu, about 10 min walk from Okutama Station (¥980 adult, closed Tuesdays).
● Emergency contacts: Okutama Police 0428-83-0110 / Okutama Town Hall 0428-83-2111.
Photo by Hajime NAKANO
