Okutama Town, Tokyo東京都奥多摩町

Living in Okutama Town, Tokyo

We have Summarized the livability of Okutama Town, Tokyo.

What kind of place is Okutama Town, Tokyo?

Okutama Town: A town rich in nature and mountainous areas

Okutama Town is located in the northwest of Tokyo and has an area of approximately 225.53 square kilometers.
It is the largest municipality in Tokyo by area.
It borders Chichibu City and Hanno City in Saitama Prefecture to the north, Ome City and Akiruno City to the east, Hinode Village to the south, and Uenohara City, Kosuge Village, and Tanbayama Village in Yamanashi Prefecture to the west.
It has a population of approximately 4,000 and approximately 2,000 households. (As of August 2023)

Okutama Town is entirely included in the designated area of Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park, and is a region rich in nature, including forests and lakes, that has long been loved as the inner sanctum of Tokyo.
In 1955, the three villages of Furusato, Hikawa, and Ogouchi merged to form Okutama Town.
The name of the town comes from the Okutama Valley, upstream of the Tama River.
Most of the town is covered by forests, and in the southern part is the artificial lake Okutama Lake, with settlements spreading downstream.
As the area is at a high altitude, the average annual temperature is about 12°C, which is considerably lower than in the city center, and in winter there is frequent snowfall and frozen roads, and it is not uncommon for it to feel like midwinter.

However, the area is cool in the summer, with many days in August when the maximum temperature falls below 30°C.
In recent years, the area has been focusing on support for young people moving to the area and child-rearing, and about 10% of the total population are immigrants, making the area popular with young people who aspire to live in the countryside.
The area is also known for its many tourist spots that make use of nature.
Ogouchi Dam, which has been selected as one of the 100 Best Dam Lakes, is a huge dam that is located 530 meters above sea level in the northeast of Lake Okutama and is considered the key water source for Santama.
From the third floor of the Ogouchi Dam Observation Tower, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the dam lake. In addition, on the second floor of the observation tower, there are displays of dam dioramas and panels introducing the history of Ogouchi Dam, all of which are free to use.
At the adjacent Okutama Water and Greenery Center, you can enjoy local cuisine overlooking Lake Okutama at the Panorama Restaurant Katakuri no Hana, as well as the Okutama 3D Theater, where you can enjoy impressive 3D images of Okutama’s nature, and an exhibition corner on the history and culture of the region.
Nippara Limestone Cave is one of the largest in the Kanto region and is designated as a natural monument by Tokyo. The cave is cool even in midsummer, at 11°C throughout the year, and the beauty of the stalactites created by nature, as well as fantastic lighting, make it a popular museum of nature where you can experience something out of the ordinary.

PR video of Okutama Town, Tokyo

Okutama Tourism Association

How is the traffic situation in Okutama Town?

Okutama Town is far from the city center and the main means of transportation is by car.

There is one train line and five stations in Okutama Town.
It takes about 110 minutes to travel from Okutama Station to Tokyo Station, and about 96 minutes to Shinjuku Station.
The Ome Line runs along the Tama River and has five stations. Okutama Station, the end station of the Ome Line, is a popular day trip tourist spot, and is visited by many people during the autumn foliage season.

Nishitokyo Bus operates local bus routes within Okutama Town.
Roads that pass through Okutama Town include National Route 139, which runs from Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture, through the Gunnai region of Yamanashi Prefecture to Okutama Town, Nishitama District, Tokyo, and National Route 411, which runs from Hachioji City, Tokyo, through Okutama Town, Nishitama District, to Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture.

How are the rent and land prices in Okutama Town?

Okutama Town: A town with a quiet environment rich in nature

According to information on a real estate information website, the average rent for a newly built apartment within a 10-minute walk from the station in the city is about 63,000 yen for a 1DK apartment and 65,000 yen for a 2DK apartment.
The average price of land per tsubo is about 90,000 yen per tsubo.

How is childcare and education in Okutama Town?

Okutama Town: A town where you can raise your children in a natural environment

There are two nursery schools, two elementary schools, and one junior high school in Okutama Town.
There are no high schools or universities.
Children’s medical expenses subsidies are available for both outpatient and inpatient care for children up to 18 years old (as of March 31st after they reach 18 years old), and full subsidies are available.
Children’s allowances are 15,000 yen for children under 3 years old, 10,000 yen for the first and second children aged 3 years old or older and not yet entering elementary school, 15,000 yen for the third child and onwards, and 10,000 yen for junior high school students.

Okutama Town provides generous child-rearing support under the slogan “A town where you can give birth and raise children with peace of mind.”
To support infants and toddlers, we have a system that subsidizes part of the cost of entering nursery school, and a system that subsidizes the full cost of childcare fees and medical expenses.
To support elementary and junior high school students, we have a system that subsidizes part of the cost of entering school, and a system that subsidizes the full cost of school lunches and commuting.
To support high school students, we have a system that subsidizes part of the cost of commuting to school, and a system that subsidizes the full cost of commuting to school.
We also have a system that subsidizes part of the cost of influenza vaccinations for children, and we present discount coupons that can be used at the popular local hot spring facility “Moegi no Yu.”
The “Child and Family Support Center Kikorin” is a facility that provides support for all aspects of child-rearing, such as holding classes and events that parents and children can participate in, providing play areas, and offering child development consultations.

How about shopping in Okutama Town?

Okutama Town has fewer commercial facilities than the city center and limited shopping options.

There are no large shopping facilities in Okutama Town, but there are several small supermarkets, privately owned shops, and convenience stores around Okutamamachi Station.
If you have access to a car, you can get to neighboring cities in about 30 minutes.
When you go shopping, if you use your car and buy everything in bulk, it doesn’t seem like it will be that inconvenient.

How about jobs and recruitment in Okutama Town?

Okutama Town: A town with limited job information and where people have to commute to the city center

The average annual salary in Okutama Town is 2.94 million yen.
There are many restaurants and outdoor-related businesses aimed at tourists, and it seems like there are jobs you won’t find in the city center.
This is a recommended area for people who want a work style that allows them to have a fulfilling private life in a relaxed atmosphere.

Okutama Town, Tokyo’s unique subsidy/subsidy system

Okutama Town, Tokyo’s unique relocation assistance and relocation subsidy system

Okutama Town, Tokyo’s unique housing assistance and subsidy system

Okutama Town, Tokyo’s unique childcare support system

Okutama Town, Tokyo’s unique system for further education and tuition assistance/subsidies