From Akigawa Valley to Hossawa Falls in Hinohara Village

History and Regional Charm

The Aki River is said to be the largest tributary of the Tama River. The stretch of approximately 20 kilometers extending from Akiruno City into Hinohara Village is known as "Akigawa Valley," where the verdant scenery of Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park unfolds. Although located only about an hour west of central Tokyo, the water is transparent enough that one can follow the shadows of fish from atop the bridges.

Hinohara Village, located in the upper reaches of the valley, is the only village in the Tama region, with forests covering approximately 90 percent of its land. Deep within a mountain stream in the village lies Hossawa Falls. It is said that the name originates from the falling water resembling the hanging form of a hossu, a whisk used by Buddhist monks.

Considered the symbol of the valley is Ishibune Bridge, spanning the Aki River. Across the bridge is the hot spring facility Akigawa Valley Seoto-no-Yu. This course connects the river, waterfall, suspension bridge, and hot spring through bus travel and walking.

Main Highlights

• ​Akigawa Valley​​: Inhabited by fish such as yamame (cherry trout), ayu (sweetfish), and haya (dace), the river shows different faces depending on the location—from shallow waters where even children can paddle to upper streams where water splashes against large boulders. Purple azaleas and cherry blossoms bloom in spring, fireflies flutter at dusk in summer, and red maples and golden autumn leaves bring color in autumn.
• ​Hossawa Falls​​: Falling into the Seto-zawa Stream, a tributary of the Kita-Aki River, this four-tiered waterfall has an elevation drop of 60 meters. It is the only waterfall in Tokyo selected for "Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls." The lowest tier, visible from the walking trail, has a drop of approximately 23.3 meters. It is also known for freezing over in winter.
• ​Ishibune Bridge and Akigawa Valley Seoto-no-Yu​​: Ishibune Bridge is a 96-meter-long pedestrian suspension bridge built to access Seoto-no-Yu. The water of Seoto-no-Yu springs from 1,500 meters underground and is known as a skin-beautifying bath with a very high alkaline pH of 10.01. From the open-air bath, the clear stream and trees of Akigawa Valley can be seen right before your eyes.

Recommended Route and Travel Time

The estimated time required is about 6 hours. Take the JR Chuo Line bound for Ome, transfer to the Itsukaichi Line at Haijima Station, and head to the terminus, Musashi-Itsukaichi Station. Musashi-Itsukaichi Station serves as the gateway to Akigawa Valley. Akigawa Bridge Riverside Park Barbecue Land is located 5 minutes from the station. Take a moment to view the flow of the Aki River before boarding the bus.

Next, take a Nishi Tokyo Bus from the station and get off at Hossawa Falls Entrance (Hossawa-no-taki Iriguchi). It is about a 15- to 20-minute walk to the waterfall. The path is a gentle slope covered with wood chips made from village timber. Along the way, there is a gallery cafe, a souvenir shop housed in a former post office building, and a tofu shop. Because the local residents use the waterfall water for drinking, please do not pollute the water, such as by entering the basin beneath the falls.

For the return trip, board the bus bound for Musashi-Itsukaichi Station and get off at the Jurigi bus stop. Ishibune Bridge is located approximately 4.6 kilometers east of Hossawa Falls in a straight line. Jurigi is a bus stop where buses heading toward Hinohara Village, including those bound for Hossawa Falls Entrance, stop. After getting off at Jurigi, walk back in the direction of Hinohara Village, and you will reach Ishibune Bridge in about 6 minutes. The area around Jurigi is known for its splendid autumn leaves.

After crossing Ishibune Bridge, proceed along the walking trail through the woods. The path splits into two along the way, but either route leads to Seoto-no-Yu. It takes about 8 minutes from Jurigi to Seoto-no-Yu. Because Seoto-no-Yu is close to central Tokyo, it gets crowded on weekends and holidays. After your bath, you can return to Musashi-Itsukaichi Station from the "Seoto-no-Yu" bus stop on the grounds. Bus schedules may change, so be sure to check return bus times with Nishi Tokyo Bus information beforehand.

Summary of the Experience

Gaze at the clear flow of the Aki River, travel by bus deep into a mountain village to look up at a four-tiered waterfall, look across the valley from a suspension bridge on your return, and warm your body in skin-beautifying hot spring waters. Just about an hour from central Tokyo, you can enjoy a full day immersed in water and forest.