“Okutama is a treasure trove of nature and culture,” says Masaki Numakura, owner of Trekkling, a bicycle rental and tour shop located just a short walk from Okutama Station. Beyond the tunnels, towering formations like Inamura Rock suddenly appear, and the mysterious Nippara Limestone Cave waits quietly, maintaining a steady 11°C (52°F) temperature year-round. Rivers, waterfalls, and wasabi fields are scattered across the valleys offering a vivid sense of the region’s natural richness.

Yet life in Okutama is not without challenges. Its steep terrain shapes both the hardships and the beauty of daily life. At the same time, this topography has preserved the headwaters of the Tama River, creating the clear waters that sustain Tokyo. Follow the river by bicycle, and you can trace its journey all the way to Haneda, witnessing how water, land, and people are intertwined. Masaki occasionally guides tours along this route, showing how deeply connected the environment and community truly are.

Though Okutama is often praised for its rich natural surroundings, the region also holds a quiet depth of culture. Along the Mukashimichi trail, which winds through old mountain hamlets where traces of traditional life still remain, wooden signboards share local folktales passed down for generations. At Shirahige Shrine, the “ear deity” is enshrined—a guardian believed to cure ear ailments. Records tell of people who once offered small pebbles with natural holes, praying for divine blessings.

Buddhist statues and small roadside Jizō statues—guardian deities who protect travelers and children—line the path, revealing how faith and nature were once interwoven with everyday life. Here, time flows with a tranquility hard to imagine within Tokyo’s borders, and the warmth of the local people seems to echo that stillness.

Old houses stand quietly as gentle reminders of the past, connecting the present to what came before. And then there is OPT—the local group affectionately known for maintaining “the world’s cleanest public toilets.” They keep the station and other public restrooms around town spotless. Such care is an indispensable part of the visitor experience, making every trip to Okutama more enjoyable.

Trekkling: A Small Journey Curated by a True Lover of Okutama

After all, the best way to experience Okutama’s beauty is not just to look at it—but to move through it. “I simply love Okutama and Ome,” says Masaki. As someone who knows the area inside out, he designs cycling tours that let visitors discover the region’s hidden charms. Through Trekkling’s guided rides, participants can explore scenic mountain routes, local gourmet spots, and quiet places rarely found in guidebooks.

Tours are available in both Japanese and English, offering a way to experience not only Okutama’s great outdoors but also its local culture and everyday life. Masaki and his team place great importance on communicating the area’s appeal with sincerity. Rather than using exaggerated promotion, they focus on sharing authentic stories—it is all about the people who live here, their traditions, and the quiet depth of the region’s history. He says, “In nature, everyone starts to smile. Walking alone is enjoyable, but cycling allows for a more dynamic experience. Seeing our guests naturally enjoying themselves— that makes me truly happy.”

Masaki also runs a manufacturing company and has experienced many ups and downs in that business. Trekkling began at a time when the company was struggling badly—so much so that the future looked uncertain. Cycling had long been a passion of his. One day, to take his mind off those business concerns, he rode from Okutama down to Ome. During that ride, he realized that the simple joy of cycling through the mountains might be something others would also enjoy. The next day, he shared the idea at a meeting. He recalls, “At the time, I was looking for something I could do on weekends in addition to my main business. While out cycling, it suddenly occurred to me that it might feel great to ride a bike all the way downhill from Okutama to Ome.” Through launching Trekkling, Masaki says he learned an important lesson: “If you have a clear sense of purpose and give your best effort, the path will open.”

The Joys and Flavors of Okutama

Dialogue and communication with local residents are essential to working in this region. Masaki’s aim is not only to make his own business successful but also to contribute to the local community. He takes part in local festivals and collaborative projects, believing that such involvement helps make travelers’ experiences richer and more meaningful. He is motivated by the desire to give back to the community he lives in—Okutama and Ome. At first, there were few supporters. “Some people told me cycling was too dangerous. But as I continued to share my thoughts, more people began to understand and offer their support.”

Trekkling also rents electric sport bikes, allowing people of all ages and fitness levels to enjoy the rides with ease. Many destinations in the Okutama area are difficult to reach on foot, and buses run only about once an hour. With narrow roads and limited parking, bicycles are not only enjoyable but also a very practical way to get around. Since Trekkling opened in 2011, Masaki says, Okutama has changed in many ways. Young people have started new ventures such as a craft beer brewery and cafés, enriching the region’s food culture. Efforts to communicate the stories behind local products and producers have also grown, allowing visitors to enjoy a deeper and more connected experience of the area.

Among Masaki’s personal recommendations is Akabeko, a local izakaya on the first floor of the long-established ryokan Arasawaya. There, visitors can savor fresh river fish, mountain vegetables, and local sake—ingredients that truly reflect the richness of the land. He says “Good nature means good food, and when locals and travelers share that experience together, that’s when the real charm of the region comes alive.”

About Okutama

Okutama is known as a hidden gem in the vicinity of Tokyo, which has a rich natural environment where traditional mountain village culture remains intact. Numerous traditional performing arts have been passed down through the generations, and there are many intangible folk cultural assets, such as the Kashima Odori dance, Shishimai (lion dance), and Kuruma Ningyo (puppet theater). Additionally, many people enjoy mountain climbing, camping, cycling, and fishing in the area.

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