Hyakken Chaya Campground

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Overview

Hyakken Chaya Campground is a hidden gem tucked along the Otanba River, a pristine tributary of the Tama River, in the mountainous Okutama region of western Tokyo. Despite being within Tokyo's administrative borders, the campground feels worlds away from the city, surrounded by dense cedar forests and the constant music of rushing water.

The facility offers eight bungalows ranging from compact three-tatami-mat cabins ideal for couples to spacious twenty-tatami-mat lodges that comfortably host groups of friends or extended families. Rates vary from 4,000 to 30,000 yen, and the campground can accommodate up to eighty guests in total. For those who prefer sleeping under the stars, tent sites along the riverbank provide a more traditional camping experience.

The Otanba River is the campground's centerpiece. During summer months, guests cool off in natural rock pools and swim beneath small waterfalls that cascade down moss-covered boulders. Campfire evenings and barbecue sessions complete the day, with the scent of charcoal mingling with mountain air. The operating season runs from mid-March through mid-December, covering cherry blossom season, summer river play, and the brilliant autumn foliage that paints the valley in gold and crimson.

Reaching Hyakken Chaya is straightforward. From JR Kawai Station on the Ome Line, a bus runs to the Seiohashi stop, from which the campground is a five-minute walk. By car, the journey from central Tokyo takes about ninety minutes via the Chuo Expressway. The Okutama area offers additional diversions including Lake Okutama, the Nippara Limestone Caves, and numerous hiking trails along the Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park ridgeline.

For visitors looking for an accessible mountain retreat that combines river adventure with rustic comfort, Hyakken Chaya Campground is an outstanding choice in Tokyo's own backyard wilderness.

For more campgrounds like this, see our Camping near Tokyo guide, Hot spring camping guide, Pet-friendly camping guide or Glamping in Japan guide.