Ome: From the Azaleas of Shiofune Kannon-ji Temple to Ome-juku and Ome Railway Park

History and Regional Charm

Ome City is situated where the Tama River flows out from the Kanto Mountains onto the Musashino Plateau. The town of Ome developed here as a settlement at the mouth of the valley, with markets being held since medieval times. During the Edo period, it flourished as Ome-juku, a post town on an alternate highway connecting Edo to Koshu.

That highway is today's Ome Kaido. In 1606 (Keicho 11), large quantities of lime were needed for the white plaster walls during major renovations of Edo Castle, and the road was established to transport lime from Ome. Subsequently, Ome-juku developed alongside faith in Mt. Mitake and commerce centered on textiles.

To the northeast of town in Shiofune sits Shiofune Kannon-ji Temple, whose origins are said to date back to the Taika era. In addition, Nagayama Park on the high ground near Ome Station is home to Ome Railway Park, which opened in 1962. This course traces an ancient temple, a post town, and railway history in a single day.

Key Highlights

• ​Shiofune Kannon-ji Temple​​: A special head temple of the Daigo school of the Shingon sect. It is said to have received the name "Shiofune" because the boat-like topography was likened to the "Guzei-no-Fune" (Boat of Universal Vow) of Buddhist teachings. The three buildings of the thatched Main Hall built in the Muromachi period, the Niomon Gate, and the Amida-do Hall are national Important Cultural Properties. Around 20 varieties and approximately 20,000 azalea bushes completely surround the bowl-shaped slopes, typically offering about a month of blooms to enjoy.
• ​Ome-juku​​: The central urban area of Ome, spreading around JR Ome Station. The Former Inaba Family Residence, home of a wealthy merchant family who served as machi-doshiyori (town elders) of Ome-juku, retains an earthen storehouse shop. There is also Sumiyoshi-jinja Shrine, dating back to 1369 (Oan 2), and the Tsukumo Residence from the early Showa period; starting from Ome Station, town revitalization initiatives themed on Showa retro have been carried out.
• ​Ome Railway Park​​: Closed for renovation work from August 2023, it reopened on March 21, 2026. Thirteen railway vehicles are lined up—from Meiji-era steam locomotives to the ED16 electric locomotive (a national Important Cultural Property) and the 0 Series Shinkansen—with roofs installed over all exhibited train cars. The renovation also added vehicles such as the orange 201 series train that was active on the Chuo and Ome lines.

Recommended Route and Required Time

The recommended duration is about 5 hours. Take a bus from Kabe Station on the JR Ome Line, get off at "Shiofune Kannon Iriguchi," and walk about 10 minutes to reach Shiofune Kannon-ji Temple. Walking directly from Kabe Station takes about 35 minutes. On either side of the approach, two large cedar trees over 900 years old, the Meoto Sugi (Married Cedars), welcome visitors. After paying respects at the Main Hall, walk up the slope of the azalea garden. At the top stands the 13-meter-tall Shiofune Heiwa Kannon Standing Statue, overlooking the temple grounds. During the Grand Festival on May 3, the rigorous ascetic practice of "hiwatari" (fire-walking) is conducted in the azalea garden plaza.

For the return, go back to Kabe Station and take the JR Ome Line to Ome Station. Ome-juku is about 2.6 kilometers southwest of Shiofune Kannon-ji Temple in a straight line. Ome Station is a "retro station" decorated with Showa-era motifs. From the station, it is about a 3-minute walk to Sumiyoshi-jinja Shrine, about 6 minutes to the Tsukumo Residence, and about 10 minutes to the Former Inaba Family Residence. If time permits, walking about 15 minutes from the station brings you to Kongo-ji Temple, where you can also see the "Masakado Chikai-no-Ume" (Plum Tree of Masakado's Vow), associated with the legend of how the area got its name.

To reach Ome Railway Park, walk about 15 minutes from Ome Station. The park is situated on elevated ground, with a steep slope along the way. Because there is no parking lot, please visit by train and on foot. At the entrance, an ED60 welcomes visitors, and you can also step inside the 0 Series Shinkansen. The railway park has regular closed days, so be sure to check in advance before visiting.

Summary of the Experience

Look up at Muromachi-period halls in an ancient temple nestled in a bowl surrounded by azaleas, stroll through a highway post town that started as a lime route, and encounter Meiji-to-Showa train cars in a hilltop park. In one day in Ome, you can sequentially trace devotion, town living, and railway history.