Lake Okutama, Mountain reservoir in Okutama, Japan.
Lake Okutama is a reservoir in the forested mountains west of Tokyo, about 70 kilometers from the city center. The blue water sits at an elevation of roughly 530 meters, surrounded by steep hills, and stretches several kilometers through a narrow valley that shows different shades of green depending on the season.
The Ogouchi Dam was completed in 1957 to supply fresh water to the growing capital, flooding several small villages in the process. This project marked postwar infrastructure expansion and transformed the Okutama region from a remote rural area into a strategic water reserve.
Locals sometimes call this reservoir Ogouchi Lake after the dam that created it, reflecting its practical role as a drinking water source for Tokyo. On sunny weekends, city dwellers come here to walk along the shoreline or hike in the surrounding forests, making the reservoir a retreat for people seeking relief from urban life.
Getting there involves taking the JR Ome Line to Okutama Station, then catching a bus that takes around 18 minutes to reach Okutamako stop near the water. The best views come in spring and autumn when the weather is stable and the colors of the vegetation are particularly strong.
A floating pedestrian bridge made of resin, known as the Drum Can Bridge, sits directly on the water surface and moves gently with the waves. This unusual construction allows walkers to experience the water up close as they cross the reservoir.
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