2-Day 1-Night Camping Trip in Okutama, A Nature Escape from Tokyo

If you’re looking for a short camping trip near Tokyo, few places can rival the peace and beauty of Okutama (奥多摩).

Just two hours from Shinjuku, this mountain town offers lush forests, clear rivers, and a slower pace of life. Perfect for anyone craving a weekend getaway from the city.

In this guide, I’ll share my 2-day, 1-night camping experience at Hikawa Campsite, including how to get there, what to pack, what to do, and how it feels to reconnect with nature right at the edge of Tokyo.

🌿 From Shinjuku to the Mountains of Okutama

After weeks of working long hours in Tokyo, my body and mind were both asking for a break.
So on a bright Saturday morning, I grabbed my backpack, tent, and some basic camping gear and headed to Shinjuku Station — the busiest hub in Tokyo but also the gateway to many peaceful destinations.

From there, I took the JR Chuo Line → Ome Line → Okutama Line, a scenic route that takes about two and a half hours in total.
As the train left the city, skyscrapers gave way to forests and rivers. The air felt fresher even through the train windows, and I could sense the shift from city chaos to mountain calm.

When I finally arrived at Okutama Station, the atmosphere was completely different — quiet, cool, and filled with the scent of pine. Just a short walk from the station lies Hikawa Campsite, one of the most accessible yet beautiful camping spots in Tokyo. Nestled beside the Tama River and surrounded by tall cedar trees, it instantly makes you forget that you’re still technically in Tokyo.

After checking in and finding a spot near the river, we set up our tent. The sound of the flowing water was so calming that even setting up the camp felt meditative. Once we unpacked and settled in, we decided to go for a short hike to Hikawa Shrine, a small but charming shrine located on a forested hill just above the campsite.

⛩️ Hiking to Hikawa Shrine and Dinner by the Fire

The trail to Hikawa Shrine isn’t long, but it’s quite steep in some areas.
The path winds through tall trees, small wooden bridges, and moss-covered rocks.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating patterns of light on the ground, and the chirping of cicadas filled the forest with a rhythmic summer sound.

When we reached the shrine, all the fatigue disappeared.
It was small and quiet, surrounded by moss and old cedar trees.
The air felt sacred — you could almost hear the mountains breathing.
We clapped our hands, bowed, and made a small wish for health and peace before sitting on a nearby stone bench to rest. From there, we could see the Tama River glimmering far below.

On the way back, we stopped by a tiny local supermarket along the road.
The shelves were lined with humble but heartwarming finds — instant ramen, small packs of meat, Japanese snacks, and cold drinks.
We picked out a few things for dinner and returned to the campsite, excited for the evening ahead.

Back at Hikawa Campsite, we lit a fire using the firewood we had bought from the camp office.
The smell of burning wood spread through the cool mountain air, and the gentle crackling of branches filled the quiet night.
We grilled the meat over the fire, cooked ramen in a small pot, and laughed under the starlit sky.
The meal was simple but felt incredibly satisfying — the kind of happiness that only comes from being fully present.

As night deepened, the temperature dropped to around 10 °C.
I crawled into my sleeping bag, listening to the steady sound of the river and the soft wind rustling through the trees.
It was the most peaceful sleep I’d had in months.

☀️Morning Mist, Lake Okutama, and Heading Home

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of birds and the faint glow of sunlight through the tent fabric.
A thin layer of mist hung above the river, and the air was crisp and cool.
We rekindled the fire from the night before to make breakfast — toasted bread, miso soup, and a steaming cup of hand-drip coffee.
Nothing fancy, but somehow it tasted better than any café in Tokyo.

After cleaning up our campsite and making sure the fire was completely out, we decided to take a morning walk to Lake Okutama (奥多摩湖).
The trail from the campsite to the lake takes about an hour on foot and passes through quiet forests and small wooden bridges.
When we reached the viewpoint, the lake shimmered in shades of emerald and blue, reflecting the mountains all around.

We sat on a wooden bench and watched kayakers paddling across the calm water.
The only sounds were the wind and the distant rustling of leaves.
It was hard to believe this was still Tokyo — a completely different side of the city that most visitors never see.

After resting for a while, we made our way back to the station, stopping by a small café near Okutama Station for a hot latte before catching the train.
As the train rolled back toward Shinjuku, the scenery slowly shifted from mountains to suburbs, then back to the familiar skyline.
But even as the city noise returned, the calmness of Okutama stayed with me — a quiet reminder that nature is never too far away.

🌲 Why You Should Try Camping in Okutama, Tokyo

• Easy Access from Central Tokyo: Only 2–2.5 hours by train from Shinjuku Station

• Beautiful Nature: Rivers, forests, mountains, and shrines all within walking distance

• Perfect for First-Timers: Hikawa Campsite offers rentals, firewood, showers, and convenience stores nearby

• All-Season Appeal: Visit in spring for cherry blossoms, summer for river swims, autumn for red maple leaves, and winter for starry nights

If you’ve been searching online for “best camping spots near Tokyo”, “nature getaways from Shinjuku”, or “Okutama camping guide”, this is your sign to pack your bag and go.
Okutama is the ideal destination for a Tokyo weekend escape — close enough for comfort, far enough for peace.

🧭 Quick Travel Info

Access:
From Shinjuku Station, take JR Chuo Line → JR Ome Line → JR Okutama Line (about 2 hours 30 minutes).
Hikawa Campsite is a 5-minute walk from Okutama Station.

What to Bring:

• Tent or rent one at the campsite (Should booking here)

• Sleeping bag and mat

• Firewood (available for sale on site)

• Portable stove or cookware

• Warm clothes (especially at night)

Best Time to Visit:
Spring to early autumn (April–October) offers the most pleasant weather.

💴 Budget Breakdown – How Much Does Camping in Okutama Cost?

Here’s a rough estimate of the total cost per person for a 2-day, 1-night camping trip at Hikawa Campsite:

Item	Description	Cost (JPY)
🚃 Round-trip train fare (Shinjuku ↔ Okutama)	Using JR Chuo → Ome → Okutama Line	≈ 2,000 yen
⛺ Campsite fee	Tent site (bring your own or rent)	2,000–2,500 yen/person
🔥 Firewood	One box lasts nearly the whole night	800–1,500 yen
🍜 Food, snacks & drinks	Simple dinner, breakfast & beer	≈ 2,000 yen

💡 Total estimated cost: 6,800–8,000 yen (about USD 45–55) per person.
That’s all you need for a full nature retreat — no car, no luxury hotel, just a train, a tent, and a campfire under Tokyo’s mountain sky.

✨ Final Thoughts

My 2-day camping trip in Okutama reminded me how healing nature can be...even just a short train ride away from Tokyo.
The blend of river sounds, campfire smoke, and crisp morning air left me feeling refreshed in a way city life never could.

If you live in Japan or are visiting Tokyo and want to experience the quieter, more natural side of Japan, plan a night at Hikawa Campsite in Okutama.
You’ll discover that the best adventures don’t require traveling far...sometimes, they’re waiting just beyond the last stop on the train.