Tokyo Stroll Supplement: Hinohara

This page is for locations in the Hinohara area of Tokyo. This village is not part of my book Tokyo Stroll.

For information on Tokyo Stroll and this web supplement see Tokyo Stroll Supplement home page

For users of the Organic Maps, Maps.Me and Google Maps apps the items below have bookmarks you can import into those apps to make navigation easier.
Instructions and links are on the Viewing Locations in Organic Maps, Maps.Me, Google Maps, or Google Earth page.

Hinohara (檜原)

Hinohara with its total population of under 2000 is the only mura, village, in mainland Tokyo, the other villages are on Tokyo's many islands. Most of Hinohara is mountainous with 93% of the land being forested and 80% being in the Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park. Buildings in Hinohara are mainly along a few valleys near rivers and roads. With this geography the area has many waterfalls as well as being popular for hiking and camping. Hinohara also has active foresters who harvest trees and then replant replacements for the next generation to harvest as it can take 50-70 years for the trees to mature. The name of the village comes from the hinoki trees which the village has long harvested for sale. There is no train transportation in Hinohara, buses are the only way to get around by mass transit, for this reason I am marking significant bus stops in the TokyoHandy bookmarks file. Sights are scattered and some, like the waterfalls, are only accessible by trail so expect lots of walking.

Gallery Cafe Yamabico / Hinohara Tōgei-kan Gyararī Kissa Yamabiko (ひのはら陶芸館ギャラリー喫茶 やまびこ)

Located next to the pathway leading to Hossawa Falls is this unusual white walled coffee shop. They serve a variety of drinks and foods, many items are available seasonally. Of special interest are hot dishes in the winter, cool and cold ones in the summer heat. They roast their coffee locally and serve drip coffee, espresso drinks, seasonal fruit flavored soda, and more. They also sell a variety of ceramics.
There is table and window seating overlooking the forest.
ACCESS: Take the 五里10 or 五里18 bus from Musashi-Itsukaichi Station (JR Itsukaichi Line)
WEB: https://yamabico.studio.site

Hinohara Forest Toy Museum / Hinohara Mori no Omocha Bijutsukan (檜原 森のおもちゃ美術館)

This museum, which opened in November 2021, is located on the site of a former elementary school. Given Hinohara's long association with logging and woodworking the museum is not only built out of wood but the exhibits are also. The wood is clear coated to show the beauty of the natural grain. The first floor is modeled on local landscapes with mountains, rivers and forests all modeled out of wood. The second floor is a large and cleverly designed play space with playground equipment and toys made out of wood. There is also an outdoor play area.
ACCESS:
Take the no. 18 bus from Musashi-Itsukaichi Station (JR Itsukaichi Line)
Take the bus from JR Tachikawa Station (Chūō Main Line. Chūō Line (Rapid), Nambu Line, Ōme Line)
WEB: https://www.hinohara-toymuseum.com

Hinohara Tōfu Chitoseya (檜原とうふ ちとせ屋)

Located right on Prefectural Route 205 near the road that takes you to the trailhead on the way to Hossawa Falls. The popular shop is very traditional, they rise early to make the tōfu and other products daily. Some of the products include donuts made with soybean pulp and soy milk, these often sell out during busy times, they also sell tōfu flavored ice cream.
ACCESS: Take the 五里10 or 五里18 bus from Musashi-Itsukaichi Station (JR Itsukaichi Line)

Hossawa Falls / Hossawa no taki (払沢の滝)

One of the more accessible waterfalls in Hinohara, the walk from the road is along a gentle slope. The falls cascade down for 62 meters on four distinct levels, the top two are not visible from the trail. In the winter the falls often freeze over, and the fall foliage can be spectacular. Hossawa Falls is ranked as one of the top 100 waterfalls of Japan by the Ministry of the Environment. There is a parking lot for those who wish to drive but it often fills up so taking the bus may be best.
ACCESS: Take the 五里10 or 五里18 bus from Musashi-Itsukaichi Station (JR Itsukaichi Line)

Kichijoji (吉祥寺)

This temple was founded in 1373 and is located at the edge of a slope which includes the graveyard. The present buildings date from 1825. One interesting sight is Buddhist statues scattered on the mountainside near the temple.