Tokyo's Fairytale Town: 10 Things to Do in Akiruno

Akiruno is a charming city with abundant nature in the western part of Tokyo. Located in Chichubu National Park, the area is surrounded by splendid natural scenery throughout the year, including cherry blossoms in spring, cedar forests adorned with deep purple and blue hydrangeas, and ancient temples with amazing autumn foliage.

Easily accessible from central Tokyo via train to Akigawa Station or Musashi-Itsukaichi Station, Akiruno is the perfect destination for art and nature enthusiasts. In addition to creative workshops, shops, and museums, Akiruno is also home to magnificent natural wonders such as Akigawa Valley, which attracts visitors from near and far during the autumn season.

10 Magical Places in Akiruno, Western Tokyo

1. Akigawa Valley
2. Minamisawa Ajisai Mountains
3. Fukuasawa Tiny Museum
4. Kurochaya
5. The Great Oak of Fukasawa
6. Otsu Hana-no Sato Flower Garden and Ryushin Temple
7. Kotokuji temple
8. Akigawa River and Hinohara Waterfalls
9. Akigawabashi River Park Barbecue Land
10. Seoto no Yu Spa

1. Akigawa Valley

Photo by Pixta
A well-known autumn foliage destination, Akigawa Valley offers breathtaking golden and red autumn leaves along its glistening riverbed.

Spanning 20 km across Akiruno, Akigawa Valley, which translates to "Autumn River," is a popular hiking spot for nature enthusiasts, especially during the fall. It serves as a gateway to many of Akiruno's delightful and appealing attractions, including the Ishibunebashi Bridge, Seto no yu Spa, Kurochaya, and Akigawa International Trout Fishing Ground, among others.

The rejuvenating valley is beloved by both locals and visitors from near and far.

Photo by Pixta
With its scenic beauty year-round, from lush green foliage in summer to a snowy wonderland in winter, the valley and its surrounding areas truly resemble a scene from a fairy tale. Just an hour away from central Tokyo, Akigawa Valley provides easy access to Akiruno's city and its mountainous landscape, making it a must-visit for nature lovers.

2. Minamisawa Ajisai Mountain: For Beautiful Hydrangeas in June

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Minamisawa Ajisai Mountain is home to thousands of hydrangea shrubs nestled among towering cedar trees and bursting into bloom during Japan's rainy season from mid-June to early July. These beautiful flowers sprinkle pops of purple, pink, and white across Akiruno's typically verdant mountainous hills. As you ascend the 360-meter hill, you'll encounter 10,000 planted hydrangeas that offer breathtaking views of the city from the peak.

Photo by Pixta
Chuichi Minamisawa, a committed local, initiated the project to create a path of hydrangeas leading to his ancestors' graves on the mountain. After approximately 10 years of hard work, he began receiving assistance from other dedicated locals, including sculptor Tomonaga Akimitsu, who incorporated his playful Zizi forest fairies to act as guides throughout the forest.

Minamisawa Hydrangea Mountain

Tokyo, Akiruno City, Fukasawa 368

3. Fukasawa Tiny Museum (Tomonaga Akimitsu Museum)

Photo from Tomonaga Akimitsu Museum - A Hidden Art Spot In Tokyo's Enchanted Forest
Located within Akiruno's enchanting Fukasawa forest, the delightful Fukasawa Tiny Museum was created by artist Tomonaga Akimitsu. The museum showcases the sculptor's art, including wooden puppets used throughout his career, such as those featured in the popular NHK series Prin Prin Monogatari.

Surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery, the museum offers a perfect escape from the city and a wellspring of artistic inspiration. To find the museum, visitors can follow Tomonaga Akimitsu's whimsical forest fairies, known as Zizis, as they guide explorers from Musashi-Itsukaichi Station up the winding pathways of the forest to the creator's charming museum.

Photo from Tomonaga Akimitsu Museum - A Hidden Art Spot In Tokyo's Enchanted Forest
The museum radiates with brilliant light that filters through delicate wooden windows. The entire building is constructed from sustainable materials and wooden architecture, including its charming doors, windows, café terrace, and the puppets within.

The museum also features a splendid café with a pond teeming with koi fish, surrounded by flowers. Guests can choose to relax inside or on the terrace while enjoying a beverage in this serene environment. A hidden gem akin to a house from a fairy tale, the Fukasawa Tiny Museum is a must-visit for art lovers.

Fukazawa Tiny Museum

492 Fukasawa, Akiruno-shi, Tokyo 190-0172

This is an art museum located in Akiruno City, Tokyo that exhibits the works of sculptor Shozo Tomonaga. You can also drink tea at the attac...

4. Kurochaya: Refined Dining Amid Nature

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Kurochaya is a picturesque destination filled with scenic beauty, where charming buildings come together to create a miniature village. Perched above the Akigawa River, Kurochaya boasts lovely traditional gardens that connect the whimsical facilities, including Sabo Itoya, a traditional tea house, and Kurochaya, an elegant restaurant situated in a 300-year-old house.

Constructed with black wooden beams and tatami, the building was once a silk mill, now renowned as a popular spot offering exquisite cuisine. In addition to delectable food, visitors can purchase handmade snacks from stores like Rakuen and Oyakiya Takean, and souvenirs such as ceramics, pottery, and glassware from the souvenir shop Water Wheel.

Guests can also indulge in delightful desserts while relaxing on the outdoor terrace, listening to the gentle sounds of the passing water. With moss-covered rooftops, bamboo forests, and wonderful access to the serene and refreshing waters below, Kurochaya is a must-visit destination when in Akiruno!

Kurochaya official website: https://kurochaya.com/top (Japanese)
Location: Google map

5. The Great Oak of Fukasawa

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In the dense and enchanting forest area of Fukasawa, stands a magnificent oak tree overseeing Akiruno. Just a one-minute walk from the Fukasawa Tiny Museum, the great Oak of Fukasawa tree sits atop a limestone mountain, stretching its branches towards the sky. Estimated to be around 300 years old, the oak tree and the forest's distinctive features contribute to the mysterious yet timeless, fairytale-like atmosphere within Akiruno.

A brief two-minute walk away, explorers can encounter the towering Great Twin Cedars of Fukasawa, and with a descent of around 20 minutes, they can arrive at Minamisawa Hydrangea Forest, creating the perfect nature walkway for nature lovers during the rainy season.

6. Otsu Hana-no Sato Flower Garden and Ryushuin Temple

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Otsu Hana-no Sato Flower Garden, nestled in Akiruno's mountainscape, transforms into a cherry blossom wonderland in early spring and an autumn foliage paradise in the fall. Visitors are treated to stunning seasonal flowers such as weeping cherry blossoms, rhododendrons, Mitsuba azalea, spider lilies, and maple leaves.

Photo by Pixta
Since the garden boasts various types of seasonal flowers, the best time to visit is early April and October. On the grounds, visitors can also explore the serene Ryushuin Temple, a Buddhist temple with its very own tea shop, providing a great place to unwind while taking in the beauty of the area.

A leisurely 15-minute stroll from the rejuvenating hot springs at Seoto-no-yu Spa and the picturesque Akigawa Valley, the garden is also close to Furusato Koubou Itsukaichi Workshops, where guests can immerse themselves in Japanese craftsmanship, such as creating Gundougami paper—an ideal attraction for art lovers!

Spot details: https://at-tama.tokyo/lang_en/information/otsu-hana-no-sato-flower-garden/
Location: Google map

7. Kotokuji Temple

Photo by Pixta
In autumn, the ancient Kotokuji Temple transforms into a magical realm of gold, framed by pathways strewn with crisp yellow leaves that have gently fallen from the towering ginkgo trees above.

Believed to have been established in 1373, Kotokuji Temple has been honored as a historical landmark by the Tokyo government. The grounds are home to a variety of cultural properties, and two large trees within the grounds have also been designated as Tokyo Natural Monuments.

Photo by Pixta
Beautiful throughout the year, the temple features a pathway of hydrangeas during the rainy season and maintains deep forest greens throughout summer. As a branch of the Rinzai Zen school, one of the main Zen schools in Japan, the temple is a significant spiritual site.

It is approximately a 20-minute walk from Kurochaya, and we highly recommend visiting in mid to late November when the yellow foliage of the ginkgo trees reaches its peak.

Kotokuji Temple location: Google map

8. Akigawa River and Hinohara Waterfalls

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Starting from Akigawa Valley and following the Akigawa River through to Hinohara village, explorers can discover numerous natural beauty spots, including caves and waterfalls, making this one of the many outstanding hiking routes in the area.

Along the route to Hinohara village, two magnificent falls are located on either side of the river: Nakayama Falls and Kichijoji Falls. Upon reaching the village, the waterfalls are spread throughout the region, accessible via various paths and hiking trails, offering endless choices.

Hinohara is home to a total of 50 sparkling waterfalls and is renowned for Tokyo's famous Hossawa Falls. Hossawa Falls is the only waterfall in Tokyo to proudly hold the title of one of the top 100 waterfalls in Japan, making it a highly recommended stop on your trip.

Waterfall details: https://www.tokyoupdates.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/en/post-1097/

9. Akigawabashi River Park Barbecue Land

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During the hot summer months of July and August each year, Akiruno's Akigawabashi River Park Barbecue Land comes to life as visitors gather to unwind by the sparkling riverbed with a refreshing beer.

Located around a 5-minute walk from JR Musashi-Itsukaichi Station, the site is easily accessible and offers a variety of rental equipment, including pots, kettles, grills, tables, chairs, and parasols, enabling guests to travel light while bringing their own food to cook. For details on the provided items and the rules and regulations, please visit the official website below.

Official website: https://www.akirunokanko.com/?p=307 (Japanese)

10. Seoto no Yu Spa Hot Springs

Photo by PR Times
Seoto no Yu is a relaxing onsen facility offering various spa treatments and relaxation spots. Visitors will delight in the beautiful open-air hot spring, which provides a stunning view of Akigawa Valley and its lush natural surroundings.

Alkaline-infused spring water flows throughout the facility, leaving visitors' skin feeling smooth and soft. In addition to the main hot spring, there is a free foot bath at the entrance and a spa offering relaxing treatments such as full body massages.

The hot spring also features a cafe and restaurant serving delicious food, and provides accommodation for guests seeking to prolong their stay in this rejuvenating environment. For more information, please visit the official website: http://www.seotonoyu.jp/ (Japanese).

Discover the Nature-Rich Side of Tokyo in Akiruno

Just one hour from the city center of Tokyo, Akiruno and its incredible facilities and natural beauty spots are a must-visit, regardless of the season. Whether you visit in spring, summer, autumn, or winter, we are certain you will enjoy your time in Akiruno.