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Sightseeing in Meiji no Mori Takao Quasi-national Park

Mt. Takao

Mt. Takao is a mountain with a height of 599 meters (1,965 feet), located approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the center of Tokyo. Yakuoin Temple, a sacred site well known for the practice of shugendo (Japanese mountain asceticism), is located on Mt. Takao, and many hikers worship Mt. Takao as a sacred mountain. Along with Mt. Fuji, Mt. Takao received a Michelin three-star rating in 2007. From the foot of the mountain, you can take a cable car or lift halfway up the mountain to a point about 472 meters (1,548 feet) above sea level. There are also three hiking trails that take you to the summit in about 1.5 hours. Many tourists and hikers from Tokyo, as well as from the rest of Japan and overseas, visit Mt. Takao throughout the year.

The summit of Mt. Takao

Mt. Takao Nature Research Trails 1 to 4

Mt. Takao has six nature research trails. Trail 1 is the main route leading to the summit. It is also the main route to Yakuoin Temple, which is located halfway up the mountain. The most popular route amongst hikers, this trail is highly recommended for those who want to experience the history of Takao. Trail 2 takes you on a diagonal path crossing from the southern side of Trail 1 to the northern side. This route is suitable for relaxing nature observations. Trail 3 branches out from Trail 1 at Joshin-mon (the Joshin Gate), diverging from the path to Yakuoin Temple. This quiet trail leads you over the southern slope of Mt. Takao to its summit. Trail 4 also branches out from Trail 1 at Joshin-mon, ascends the northern slope of Mt. Takao, and then converges with Trail 1 shortly before reaching the summit. This is a popular route that takes hikers over a suspension bridge and allows hikers to enjoy the colorful landscapes of different seasons on the northern side of the mountain.

Mugi-maki icho (the wheat-planting gingko) of Konpira Shrine

Mt. Takao Nature Research Trails 5 and 6, the Inariyama Course, the Jataki Falls Course, and the Iroha-no-Mori Hiking Trail

Nature Research Trail 5 circles around Mt. Takao slightly lower than the summit, at a height of about 555 to 585 meters (1821 to 1919 feet). Trail 6 takes hikers to the summit on a path that runs along Maenosawa (one of the headwaters of the Tama River), allowing hikers to enjoy the tranquil sound of the clear stream. South of Trail 1, the Inariyama Course is another trail on the main ridge of Mt. Takao. The Jataki Falls Course is a little-known route that used to be the main road of Mt. Takao. It is suitable for hikers who prefer tranquil hiking. The Iroha-no-Mori Hiking Trail passes through lush forests on the northern slope of Mt. Takao. Hikers can walk the trail while reading panels describing trees, the names of which start with 48 characters of the Japanese syllabary.

Suspension bridge on Trail 4

Yakuoin Temple

Yakuoin Temple is the main temple of the Chisan sect of Shingon Buddhism. Gyoki, a high-ranking monk from the Nara period (710 to 794 CE), reportedly founded the temple in 744. In 1376, another high-ranking monk, Shungentaitoku from Mt. Godai in Kyoto came to live in the temple, and Izuna Daigongen was established as the principal object of worship at the temple. The temple prospered thereafter. The temple consists of a main hall, Nio-mon (the Nio Gate), a main gate made entirely of cypress wood and in which four devas are enshrined, Iizuna-gongen-do (the main shrine building, where the god Iizuna-gongen is enshrined), Daishi-do (Daishi Hall), an inner temple, and a main temple. Yakuoin Temple is popular as one of the greatest sacred mountains in the Kanto region and is always crowded with worshippers and tourists.

Yakuoin Temple

Takao Visitor Center

The Takao Visitor Center is located on the summit of Mt. Takao (elevation: 599 meters or 1,965 feet). Through exhibits and explanations by visitor center guides, the Takao Visitor Center offers hikers and tourists various kinds of information, such as information about the nature and history of the Takao region, and information about the relationship between people and nature. Guides are stationed at the Takao Visitor Center. These guides and Takao Park Volunteers plan and host various projects and events. The Takao Visitor Center is open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, but closed on Mondays.

Takao Visitor Center

Mt. Takao Retailers' Association

The main street stretching from near Takaosanguchi Station to the hiking trails that lead to the summit of Mt. Takao is lined with soba noodle restaurants, gift shops, restaurants, and other shops that convey the attractiveness of Mt. Takao. These roadside shops belong to Mt. Takao Retailers' Association, an association that was first established in front of the gate to Mt. Takao’s historic Yakuoin Temple. Grand traditional Japanese buildings are located along the main street and are always crowded with tourists. Before visiting the area, check the website of Mt. Takao Retailers’ Association, as it contains useful information.

Mt. Takao Retailers’ Association

Takao Soba Noodles

There are about twenty soba restaurants near Mt. Takao and at its summit. Soba with grated yam is a delightful and nourishing meal if you are tired, and is one of the specialties of the Mt. Takao area. Each restaurant offers soba cooked in the restaurant’s own special dashi (broth) and of a particular thickness. For example, at Hosoda-ya, which is a 10-minute walk from the summit, you can enjoy exquisite soba with grated yam, and at Omiharashi-tei, you can enjoy soba while gazing at the sacred Mt. Fuji. Halfway up the mountain, Juicchome-jaya specializes in thick country-style soba, whereas Tsutaya hand-makes its traditional country-style soba. Sakai-chaya serves soba made with Japanese yams, which is very popular.

Omiharashi-tei’s soba with grated yam

Vegetarian Cuisine

The main temple of Yakuoin Temple serves vegetarian cuisine that uses seasonal ingredients cooked with appreciation and sincerity. Using only ingredients that are in season, these meals are healthy and allow you to really savor each ingredient. Meals served year-round include the Takao set and the Tengu set. Meals available only during specific seasons or for a limited time include the soba set, the Momiji set, and the Aoba set. Meals are served from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Reservations are needed for the Takao meal and the Tengu set, and reservations can only be made for two or more people.

The Takao set

Sweets of Takao

Traditional Japanese teahouses and cafes along the main street serve a variety of sweets, which help you replenish your energy after a long hike. Types of sweets typically enjoyed in Takao include handmade sake manju (a sake confection), soba dango (soba dumplings), Takao manju with adzuki bean filling, tengu cake (which is made in the shape of a tengu), tengu smoothie, tengu dumplings, sesame dumplings, ten-grain chikara dumplings, mitarashi dango (skewered dumplings glazed with sweet soy sauce), and soft-serve ice cream made with gongenriki (grape vinegar). If you are lucky, you might be able to enjoy freshly made sweets.

Tengu cake

Mt. Takao Beer Mount, a Summer-Only Panoramic Beer Garden

Mt. Takao Beer Mount, a beer garden located at an altitude of 500 meters (1,640 feet), overlooks the center of Tokyo. It is a summer-only beer garden that operates only from June to October. Mt. Takao Beer Mount is located at the top of Mt. Takao, right next to the cable car station. From the beer garden on a clear day, you can get an expansive view, stretching from the center of Tokyo to Yokohama, under a blue sky. At night, you can a spectacular view of city lights under a starry sky. The beer garden is open from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm on weekdays, and from 1:00 pm or 2:30 pm to 9:00 pm on weekends and holidays. On days when Mt. Takao Beer Mount is open, the last cable car departs the summit at 9:15 pm.

Mt. Takao Beer Mount

Hiking

Mt. Takao has six nature research trails suitable for all hikers, from beginners to experts. Nature information signs are installed at various places on the mountain, along with guideposts to ensure the safety of hikers. Hikers can also use the cable cars and lifts operated by Takao Tozan Railway from Kiyotaki Station at the foot of the mountain, to Takaosan Station, located partway up the mountain. The cable car ascends at an angle of 31 degrees, one of the steepest in Japan. It takes about six minutes to reach Takaosan Station, the final station, which is connected to nature research trail 1. The hiking trails are also suitable for first-time hikers, and families can enjoy hiking together.

Hiking

Camping

Hikagezawa Camping Ground (Hikagezawa Park) is located in the northern area of Takaosan National Forest. Streams flow through the campground, and visitors can enjoy various types of recreational activities in the lush forests of Mt. Takao. For example, you can play in rivers, watch birds, take photographs to capture the beauty of different seasons, and hike from Hikagezawa to the summit of Mt. Takao on the Iroha-no-Mori Hiking Trail. You can use the campground for free, but you will need to make a reservation. From the north exit of Takao Station on the JR Chuo Line or the Keio Takao Line, take Keio Bus South toward Kobotoke, and get off at the Hikage bus stop. The campground is about a 10-minute walk from the bus stop. If you are driving to the campground, take National Route 20 from Hachioji toward Mt. Takao. At the Nishi-Asakawa intersection, turn right onto Prefectural Route 516 and then left onto the forest road after passing the Hikage bus stop.

Hikagezawa Camping Ground

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