Located in the lush western Tokyo area of Okutama, Mt. Mitake is a popular destination for both spiritual visitors and hikers, crowned by the historic Musashi Mitake Shrine at its summit.
The approach to the 929-meter summit is lined with lodging facilities and souvenir shops, bustling with hikers and tourists alike. Amid this lively path stands “Momijiya,” a long-established udon restaurant founded in 1929, where visitors can enjoy carefully house-made noodles noodles against the backdrop of Mt. Mitake’s stunning scenery.
Take a break at a famous udon restaurant while hiking Mt. Mitake
To get to Momijiya, start from Mitake Station on the JR Ome Line.
From the station, take a bus to Takimoto Station, then ride the cable car up to the middle of the mountain.
Cable car fare: 600 JPY one-way, 1,200 JPY round-trip (tax included)
Get off at Mitakesan Station, the final stop of the cable car, and walk about 15 minutes along the approach leading to Musashi Mitake Shrine. Amid the lively street lined with temple lodgings and souvenir shops, you’ll find Momijiya.
With its distinctive purple noren (traditional shop curtain), Momijiya is a traditional udon restaurant quietly situated along the Mt. Mitake approach, handed down through generations. Today, the shop is run by the fourth-generation owner, Takahiro Suzuki.
Exterior of Momijiya
In the past, the restaurant also served soba, but because the owner developed a soba allergy, he once considered giving up taking over the family business.
However, thinking about the future of the local community and the history of the shop, he decided to carry on. Around 2024, Momijiya embarked on a new chapter as a udon specialty restaurant.
Fragrant walnut sauce udon with matcha noodles
Momijiya’s most iconic dish is the “KURUMI UDON matcha noodles with cracked walnuts noodle soup.”
The strikingly green matcha noodles are kneaded with powdered tea, offering a delicate aroma and a subtle, refreshing bitterness. Paired with the nutty richness of the walnut dipping sauce, the flavors are both soothing and deeply satisfying—a perfect reward after a mountain climb.
“くるみうどん 抹茶麺,” KURUMI UDON matcha noodles with cracked walnuts noodle soup 1,120 JPY (tax included)
The noodles are house-made fresh every day, and their impressive length will likely surprise you when lifted. They strike a perfect balance—firm and chewy with resilience, yet smooth enough to gently unravel with each bite.
The texture and flavor are unlike Musashino udon (a hearty style of thick wheat noodles) or Sanuki udon (firm, bouncy noodles from Kagawa Prefecture, often served in light broth), offering a unique experience that can only be found at Momijiya.
Noodles so long they can’t be lifted in one go
While the KURUMI UDON matcha noodles with cracked walnuts noodle soup have been served since the previous generation, under Mr. Takahiro Suzuki’s management diners can now choose between two types of house-made noodles for nearly every dish (except curry udon): one made solely with wheat flour, and the distinctive matcha noodles.
“肉うどん（東京エックス使用）,” A luxurious bowl of udon made with Tokyo X, a premium brand of pork 1,480 JPY (tax included)
The meat udon at Momijiya is made with the premium Tokyo brand pork “TOKYO X,” served generously over a slightly rich broth with thick slices of pork for a deeply satisfying dish.
The dipping sauce can also be enjoyed by adding hot water at the end, allowing you to savor every last drop.
“山菜盛り合わせ,” sansai moriawase – Assorted mountain vegetables: bamboo shoots, zenmai (royal fern), warabi (bracken), shiitake mushrooms, and shimeji mushrooms 1,100 JPY (tax included)
There are also plenty of side dishes made with mountain delicacies to enjoy alongside the udon.
The sansai moriawase, a simmered assortment of bamboo shoots, zenmai (royal fern), warabi (bracken starch), shiitake, and shimeji mushrooms in soy sauce, offers a simple, comforting flavor that also pairs perfectly with Japanese sake.
“炊き込みごはん 並盛り 200 g,” Seasoned rice (200 g / about 7 oz) 460 JPY (tax included)
If just udon isn’t quite enough, the “Seasoned rice” is also a great choice.
With a gentle, dashi-forward flavor, it comes in three portion sizes: small (100 g / about 3.5 oz), regular (200 g / about 7 oz), and large (300 g / about 10.5 oz).
Whichever you choose, enjoying it with the pure mountain air of Mt. Mitake makes it all the more delicious.
Scenic views and a comfortable environment
The interior of Momijiya is spacious and welcoming, offering counter seating, tables, and traditional tatami seating.
Interior of Momijiya
Since hiking boots aren’t always easy to take off, the tables where you can sit with your shoes on are especially convenient.
On the other hand, the tatami seating lets you slip off your shoes and stretch your legs—perfect for resting after a long walk.
A sweeping panorama from the windows
The location, close to the mountaintop, also offers stunning views. From the window seats in particular, you can look out over the mountain ridges and take in the crisp air—a vivid reminder of Mt. Mitake’s elevation.
The menu goes beyond meals, with a variety of drinks and sweets as well.
It’s an ideal spot to relax after visiting the shrine, or to pause for a break before heading back down the mountain.
With the beauty of Mt. Mitake as its backdrop, Momijiya invites you to savor both its flavors and its warmth at your own pace.
Information
| Store name | 紅葉屋 Momijiya |
|---|---|
| Address | 151 Mitakeyama, Ōme City, Tokyo
|
| Access |
Mitakesan Station 20-minute walk from Mitakesan Station
|
| Phone number | 0428-78-8475 |
| Reservations | Accepted Phone |
| Payment |
|
| Service charge/Table charge | None |
| Hours | Weekdays: 10:00–14:00 Weekends: 10:00–15:30 may change due to weather or other conditions |
| Closed | Unscheduled holidays |
| Seating | 45 seats 8 counter seats, 16 table seats, 21 tatami room seats |
| Smoking | All seats are non-smoking |
| Official website | http://mitakesan.com/syouten/momijiya/ |
| Other information |
|
※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of August 2025.
