Meet your guide at JR Okutama Station and take a bus to the trailhead at Kawanori Bridge. Begin your hike on a gentle forestry road, and after about 45 minutes, transition to the mountain trail. Pass through Kawanori Gorge, filled with vibrant greenery in spring and summer, and colorful red and yellow foliage in autumn.
After about an hour, arrive at Hyakuhiro Falls, one of the largest waterfalls in Okutama. Continue hiking for another two hours to reach the summit of Mt. Kawanori. The summit is relatively broad, making it a great place for a lunch break. On clear days, enjoy views of the Nagasawa Back Ridge deep in the Okutama mountain range.
Descend from the summit to JR Hatonosu Station through a different type of vegetation, mainly cedar forest. These trees were originally planted for forestry but have become nearly natural due to limited maintenance over time. Along the way, pass Oone-no-Yamanokami Shrine (a mountain deity), before continuing down into satoyama landscapes, where local residents maintain and harvest the bounty of the mountain.
End your tour at JR Hatonosu Station, hopefully before 4:00 p.m. From there, return to central Tokyo within two hours by train, or enjoy coffee or a beer at nearby restaurants while basking in the afterglow of your adventure.
