Mt. Odake

Mt. Odake rises in the Okutama mountain range of western Tama District, Tokyo. Standing at 1,266.5 meters, it is not an especially tall peak, but the variety of hiking routes attracts everyone from beginners to seasoned climbers. The summit juts out in a distinctive pointed shape. In the past, people likened it to an overturned cooking pot, calling it Nabewari-yama or Nabekaburi-yama. Today, it often goes by the nickname Kewpie-yama, after the Kewpie doll its silhouette resembles.

One of Japan's 200 Famous Mountains and 100 Flower Mountains

Mt. Odake is one of Japan's 200 Famous Mountains, a list compiled in 1984 by a fan organization devoted to the novelist and mountaineer Fukada Kyūya. It also appears in Hana no Hyakumeizan (100 Flower Mountains), a 1980 essay collection by the screenwriter and author Tanaka Sumie. The flower most closely associated with Mt. Odake is the iwauchiwa (Shortia uniflora), recognized by its pale pink blossoms and fan-shaped leaves. It reaches peak bloom in April and May.

A mountain known as a Demon Slayer pilgrimage site

Mt. Odake in Okutama, western Tokyo — recorded in Demon Slayer under the Taishō-era address Tōkyō-fu, Okutama-gun — is the birthplace of the character Hashibira Inosuke. In the story, Inosuke was raised by wild boars deep in these mountains, making Mt. Odake something like his personal backyard.

Day hikes accessible even for beginners

With its relatively modest elevation, Mt. Odake is approachable for beginner hikers. That said, the trails are not fully maintained, and some sections include kusariba — stretches of rocky or slippery terrain equipped with chains for safety. Proper hiking boots are essential, and trekking poles are recommended for those who want extra support. Depending on the route, hikers can pass two waterfalls along the way: Tengu-daki and Aya-daki.

Near the summit, Ōtake Shrine houses a pair of komaōkami (guardian wolf statues) considered among the oldest surviving examples in the Chichibu region. Their round, endearing forms have made them a favorite among visitors.

On a clear day, the summit offers views of Mt. Fuji, Mt. Kumotori — birthplace of the Kamado siblings in Demon Slayer — and Mt. Kagenobu, home of the Mist Hashira Tokitō Muichirō.