Skip to main content

Hiking Mt. Takao in Japan

 

          View from Mt Takao

IMG_20150620_135022912_HDR

          Takao-san Guchi  Station- near base of Mt Takao

Tokyo is unfairly viewed as a concrete jungle by some travelers but the more time I spent in Tokyo, the more gardens, parks and nature I saw. And people living in Tokyo can access nearby nature hikes rather easily.

Near the end of my last trip to Tokyo, I went for a hike on Mt. Takao. It's takes about an hour to get there from Shinjuku Station to Takao-san Guchi on the Keio Takao line and costs 390 yen one way. That's less than $4 US.

Mt. Takao is still located in the Metropolitan Tokyo District so it attracts a lot of hikers. There is a festive atmosphere as you arrive at the Takao-san Guchi  Station, near Mt Takao's base, and it feels like you're going to an amusement park or zoo rather than for a hike.

IMG_20150620_155807817_HDR

The Tokyo Handy Guide describes the hike up to Mount Takao as a relaxing hike. It's well worth it and a beautiful hike, but relaxing is not a word I'd use to describe it, especially if you take the paved path up (path 1).  I thought reaching the midway point was pretty challenging,  but then again I did see toddlers on it,  so it might be I'm out of shape living in flat Florida.

They do though have a cable car and also a chair lift to get to the midway point and the rest of the hike is not too bad. Be sure to take water and be prepared to carry what garbage you create  because like most of Japan, there are few garbage cans for the public.  And if you find any trash cans, it will likely just be for bottles and cans.

CIMG0153 (2)

IMG_20150620_160211178

IMG_20150620_155904855_HDR

Along the hike there are some sights to see like The Yakuo-in Temple Complex. It's  one of the three head temples of the Shingon-shu Chisan-ha Sect. Visitors stop at the temple to pray to Shinto-Buddhist Tengu  (Mountain Gods) for good fortune. It's beautiful and the architecture is wonderful.

IMG_20150620_150511549

Japanese Macaques at Monkey Park

CIMG0146 (2)

Monkey Park Show

Along the  hiking path there is an entrance to Monkey Park . It has a 400 yen admission  that also includes a little show and a wild plant garden. Monkey Park was the only part of the hike I  wasn't too thrilled about  because I couldn't really see the Japanese Macaques up close. The Wild Plant Garden  looks like it would be nicer in Spring or Fall but it was still pretty nice in the summer.

IMG_20150620_153642740

After Monkey Park there are  some very old and big cedar trees lining the trail. The photo didn't do the tree justice as the trunk was huge in person.

CIMG0160

CIMG0163

When you reach the top of Mt Takoa, there's some refreshments (including beer) and a good viewing area.

CIMG0173

Also, there are plenty of restaurants on the streets surrounding Mt Takao that feature the local specialty of soba noodles and ground mountain yam. We had a nice dinner before heading back.

All in all,  it makes for a great hike. It's crowded a lot of weekends, so go during the week if you want less crowds.

Attachments

Images (19)
  • CIMG0153 (2)
  • IMG_20150620_135022912_HDR
  • IMG_20150620_155329479
  • IMG_20150620_155353944
  • IMG_20150620_155904855_HDR
  • IMG_20150620_155921845
  • IMG_20150620_150410492
  • IMG_20150620_160211178
  • IMG_20150620_155336814
  • IMG_20150620_155915157_HDR
  • IMG_20150620_150511549
  • IMG_20150620_144322584
  • IMG_20150620_145113200_HDR
  • IMG_20150620_153642740
  • CIMG0173
  • CIMG0146 (2)
  • IMG_20150620_155807817_HDR
  • CIMG0160
  • CIMG0163

If you want a thing done, ask a busy man.

Add Comment

Comments (1)

Newest · Oldest · Popular
Post
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×