Hike Takaosan

1-Day Route

Standing 599 meters high and known for its year-round hiking, Mt. Takao is the most visited mountain in the world by both sightseers and mountain climbers. Enjoy a leisurely one-day visit to the Mt. Takao area.

Notes: Times indicated for travel between locations are calculated by weekday averages; Prices are current as of August 2019.

Start!

01Start at Takaosanguchi
Station

From Shinjuku Station, the train to Takaosanguchi Station in Hachioji, Tokyo, takes about 50 minutes. If taking a train bound for Keiō-hachiōji Station, transfer at Kitano Station to a train bound for Takaosanguchi Station.

About an 8-min. walk from
Takaosanguchi Station to
Kiyotaki Station
Take the cable car from
Kiyotaki Station to
Takaosan Station

The cable car takes passengers from Kiyotaki Station at the foot of Mt. Takao to Takaosan Station halfway up the mountain. The trip takes about 6 minutes. For more information, visit the official website.

Takao Tozan Railway
https://www.takaotozan.co.jp/timeprice/

About a 20-min. walk from
Takaosan Station
02Takao-san Yakuo-in

Situated halfway up Mt. Takao, this is one of the three head temples of the Chisan sect of Shingon Buddhism in Kanto region. Founded by the high priest Gyoki who constructed Todaiji temple in Nara, it is also known for the worship of tengu—the long-nosed, red-faced beings who serve as messengers to the deities.

At Takaosan Yakuou-in temple, visitors are welcome to experience a bit of Buddhist training at the monthly Shakyo (Sutra transcibing) meeting, which is held on the fourth Saturday of every month. The temple also serves Buddhist vegetarian meals.

* For the Shakyo meeting, visitors are advised to inquire in advance about available space.
* Reservations are required for vegetarian meals.

●Admission: Free
* Fees are charged for participation in the Shakyo meeting and meals.
●Closed: Open year-round
●URL:
https://www.takaosan.or.jp/english/

About a 15-min. walk
03Mt. Takao Summit

The summit of Mt. Takao offers views of Mt. Tanzawa and even of Mt. Fuji on clear days. Stop at one of several teahouses at the summit to enjoy a meal with a spectacular view.

Walk to Sanjo Station
Take the chairlift from
Sanjo Station to
Sanroku Station

The return to the foot of the mountain by chairlift offers particularly spectacular views of the mountain below. The trip takes about 12 minutes. For more information, visit the official website.

Takao Tozan Railway
●URL:https://www.takaotozan.co.jp/timeprice/

Enjoy Mt. Takao’s famed soba

There are many soba restaurants at Mt. Takao, from the base of the mountain to its summit. Tororo soba, soba topped with grated mountain potato, is especially popular with mountain climbers.

About a 5-min. walk from
Sanroku Station
04TAKAO 599 MUSEUM

This museum is inspired by the ideas of sightseeing, learning, and communicating at Mt. Takao. Videos and other displays describe the mountain’s ecosystem, history, and culture, giving visitors an up-close look at the charms of Mt. Takao.

Exhibits and videos of the animals and plants inhabiting Mt. Takao are on the first floor; a citizen’s gallery is on the second floor. The museum shop offers limited edition t-shirts and other goods.

●Admission: Free
●Closed: Open year-round (Closed only for maintenance. Check website for dates.)
●URL:http://www.takao599museum.jp/about/?lang=en

About a 6-min. walk
05Takao Trick Art Museum

Opened in 1996 at the foot of Mt. Takao, this museum is one of the largest of its kind in Japan. Prepare to be amazed by more than 250 optical illusions on display.

Enjoy works of trick art that change depending on the angle at which they are viewed, or step into the work itself to experience the illusion first-hand. Visitors are encouraged to touch the artwork and take photos.

●Admission:
Adult 1,200 yen/Junior high and high school 1,000 yen/Elementary school 700 yen/Child (preschool, 4 years and up) 500 yen
●Closed: No scheduled holidays
●URL:
http://www.trickart.jp/english/

About a 3-min. walk
06Keio Takaosan Onsen/
Gokurakuyu

Located next to Takaosanguchi Station, Keiō Line. These hot spring baths are open for day visits and can accommodate some 500 bathers. Soak up this uniquely Japanese culture in four types of indoor baths and three types of outdoor baths.

Enjoy a variety of different baths, including a seasonal bath, carbonated bath, and open-air rock bath with natural hot spring water bubbling up from 1,000 meters underground.

* Visitors with tattoos are strictly prohibited from using the baths.

●Admission:
Weekdays: Adult 1,000 yen/Child 500 yen Weekends/public holidays/peak season: Adult 1,200 yen/Child 600 yen
●Closed: Open year-round
●URL:
http://www.takaosan-onsen.jp/english/

Take the shuttle bus from
Takaosanguchi Station to
Ukai Toriyama

The free shuttle bus is the easiest way to get to Ukai Toriyama. The shuttle bus leaves from Takaosanguchi Station every 20 minutes — on the hour and 20 and 40 minutes after the hour.

* The shuttle bus runs from 10:00 – 20:00.
* The shuttle bus may stop at a different location than that shown in the photo.

07Ukai Toriyama

Established in 1964, this restaurant sits amid Japanese gardens surrounded by magnificent Oku-Takao nature. The exciting and varied menu of charcoal-grilled dishes is served in uniquely Japanese Gassho-style buildings that have been relocated to these mountain surroundings.

Savor exquisite dishes that highlight seasonal mountain ingredients, such as savory charcoal-grilled beef and chicken, delicately prepared carp sashimi, and salt-grilled river fish.

●Prices: Lunch course (weekdays only) 5,370 yen (tax included/does not include service charge)
●Closed: Tuesdays (subject to change depending on season); New Year’s holidays; winter holidays
●URL:
https://www.ukai.co.jp/english/toriyama/

Additional Ukai restaurants
located in Hachioji.

Take the shuttle bus to
Takaosanguchi Station

Finish!

Check route on map.