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Mount Takao cable car
Cable cars shorten the time to climb to the top of Mount Takao – Credit: reproduction

Mount Takao: A Nature Walk Close to Tokyo

Many people know the Tokyo area for its buildings, busy car traffic and people. Few know it for its green areas. The most famous of them is Mount Takao with its pure air, peace and diverse attractions very close to the Japanese metropolis. Mount Takao (高尾山) is located in the city of Hachioji (八王子市), in western Tokyo. It has 599 meters of altitude. Because it is not so steep, annually, about two million people climb to its top in search of the pure air that nature can offer. Others go up looking for peace, visiting the Yakuo-in shrine (薬王院) where they worship the mountain gods to pray and light incense. The place has several attractions, in addition to easy access.
Eder Hashizume
Images: Reproduction

 

Trail 1 Mount Takao
From the trails of Mount Takao it is possible to reach the Chichibu-Tama-Ka National Park – Credit: Reproduction

Hike Mount Takao

There are eight trails that lead to the top of the Mount takao. Trail number 1 is the most sought after by visitors. Very well signposted, it is paved and passes by the main local tourist attractions. The others are narrow and therefore less crowded. On average, the top can be reached in about 90 minutes. Part of the stretch can be done in less time using chairs and cable cars. A lookout point, just before the top, is a mandatory stop. From there, you can have a panoramic view of Tokyo. Already at the top, on clear days, you can see Mount Fuji. Those with more physical aptitude and who have adequate equipment, have the option of following the trails that lead to the peaks of the Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park (秩父多摩甲斐国立公園).

 

Yukuo-in Shrine on Mount Takao
The Yakuo-in shrine is a mystical place on Mount Takao – Credit: reproduction

Yakuo-in Shrine on Mount Takao

In addition to the green, the place is quite frequented by people who seek peace. To do so, they visit the Yakuo-in shrine. It is a Buddhist temple erected in the year 744 AD. Since then, numerous rituals have been performed, which have given it a certain mystical air, also linked to the asceticism of the surrounding mountains. In one of these rites, charismatic members of Buddhism are believed to have had contact with deities. It underwent several renovations, came under the protection of the Tokugawa shogunate and is currently also an integral part of Japanese cultural heritage.

 


Trail 1 of Mount Takao is very well signposted and is also paved – Credito: reproduction

More than a thousand cherry trees can be seen in spring

The best times to visit the region of Mount takao are in spring and autumn. In the most flowery season, visitors appreciate the Ichodaira (一丁平) of the thousand cherry trees with different species of the delicate rosette petal. In the period leading up to winter, with temperatures already low, the foliage burned by the cold takes on reddish tones.


From the viewpoint of Mount Takao it is possible to have a panoramic view of Tokyo – Credit: reproduction

Onsens, museum and local cuisine

In addition to all these attractions, visitors will be able to see the Monkey Park (さる園), enjoy the local cuisine – mainly sweets – in several kiosks, get to know the Takao 599 Museum to learn more about the nature of the region and, finally, relax in the hot springs Keio Takaosan Onsen Gokurakuyu (京王高尾山温泉 / 極楽湯).

 

 

Details

TAKAOSAN

Address:
193-0844 Tokyo To Hachioji shi Takao Machi
東京都八王子市高尾町

Contact numbers:
042-661-4151

 

Author

Photo Eder Hashizume

Eder Hashizume

Eder is a veteran journalist and teacher in Japan

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