English
English

Mt. Takao

Mt. Takao is a mountain of 599 meters elevation in the west of Tokyo, on which a temple was founded in the year 744. Although it was used as a place for religious training back in the day, since it was selected as a 3-star sightseeing spot by the Michelin Guide in 2007, it has been frequented as an easily accessible hiking and tourist spot. Apart from having several hiking courses aimed both at beginners and advanced hikers, Mt. Takao also has tourist spots near the lift and cable car stations, like an optical illusion museum and a commercial area.

(Source: おはぎさん / PIXTA(ピクスタ))

Yakuo-in

Takaosan Yakuo-in is located between Takaosan Station and the mountain top. It is an honorable temple having been founded in the year 744 by order of the emperor. This temple offers programs to experience temple life such as trial Buddhist training and sutra copying, as well as Buddhist food tasting (reservation required).

(Source: HAKU-No1 / PIXTA(ピクスタ) )

Legend of Tengu

In front of the Izunagongen hall of Yakuo-in, there is a statue of a tengu (Japanese mythical creature). Tengu have been believed to be godly beings in Japan since ancient times. It is said that there is a tengu living on Mt. Takao and there are countless stories of tengu, such as the cedar tree that moved itself for fear of the tengu, and stories of the manipulating tengu.

(Source: 夫婦の一日)

Takaosan Monkey Park

The Takaosan Monkey Park is located in 3 minutes walking distance from the cable car Takaosan Station. There are approximately 60 monkeys living here. You can be up close to see monkeys with unique characteristics such as the one that jumps up every time his name is called by the staff.

(Source: そんなのホットケ!)

Mountain Top

The top of Mt. Takao is selected as one of "Top 100 Fuji Viewing Spots of Kanto," as a place that has a beautiful view of Mt. Fuji. When the weather is good, the grand shape of Mt. Fuji can be seen clearly from the observatory at the top of Mt. Takao.

(Source: 記録と記憶)

Cable Car

The Takaosan cable car connects Kiyotaki Station, which is right next to the Keio Line Takaosanguchi Station, a gateway from central Tokyo to Mt. Takao, with Takaosan Station where the observatory is located. As the cable car connects two stations with a difference of 271 meters of elevation, the steepest point is at an inclination of 31 degrees, Japan's steepest.

(Source: 亀歩の出逢)

Echo Lift

The other transport to Mt. Takao is the Echo Lift. This one connects Sanroku Station, next to Keio Line Takaosanguchi Station, with the mountain top station. It fits two people in each chair and you can feel the wind and fresh air as you go through the dense forest, so give it a try when the weather is good.

(Source: youtube )

Takao Omotesando

Mt. Takao has several trails to go up, of which the main one is the course called Takao Omotesando. Departing from Sanroku Station, you will pass Sanjo Station, Takaosan Station and the observatory, then explore the famous sites Busharitou, Yamamon and Yakuo-in. After a total of 3.8 km and approximately 100 minutes, you will reach the mountain top at 599 meters. There are many restaurants and souvenir stores around Takaosan Station and Yakuo-in.

(Source: masami5027のblog)

Specialty: Tororo Soba at Takahashiya

Takahashiya is a soba restaurant located by Kiyotaki Station. When visiting Mt. Takao, please try this restaurant's specialty "Tororo Soba." The soba is made out of buckwheat from Shinshu with added tororo (grated yam), whose combination with the thick tororo mix made from Japanese yam and Chinese yam results in an exquisite taste.

(Source: 食べログ)

Trick Art Museum

In front of Takaosanguchi Station is the Trick Art Museum. In this Egypt-themed museum, you will be able to take pictures that create amazing illusions and you won't believe what you see the first time.

(Source: Having Senior Moment)

Ukai Toriyama

Ukai Toriyama is an irori sumibiyaki (traditional Japanese fireplace charcoal grill) restaurant in Mt. Takao. In this restaurant, which is a reconstructed traditional Japanese house, you can savor char-grilled dishes that maintain the authentic taste of its ingredients while being close to nature.

(Source: うかい鳥山)

Address
Takaocho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo
Contact No.
+81-42-664-7872
+81-42-664-7872
Access
From Keio Takaosanguchi Station, walk 5 min to the cable car Kiyotaki Station and get off at Takaosan Station. Alternatively from Keio Takaosanguchi Station, walk 5 min to Echo Lift Sanroku Station and get off at Sanjo Station.
Opening Hours / Holidays
Time Required
Admission fee

(Source: おはぎさん / PIXTA(ピクスタ))

Yakuo-in

Takaosan Yakuo-in is located between Takaosan Station and the mountain top. It is an honorable temple having been founded in the year 744 by order of the emperor. This temple offers programs to experience temple life such as trial Buddhist training and sutra copying, as well as Buddhist food tasting (reservation required).

(Source: HAKU-No1 / PIXTA(ピクスタ) )

Legend of Tengu

In front of the Izunagongen hall of Yakuo-in, there is a statue of a tengu (Japanese mythical creature). Tengu have been believed to be godly beings in Japan since ancient times. It is said that there is a tengu living on Mt. Takao and there are countless stories of tengu, such as the cedar tree that moved itself for fear of the tengu, and stories of the manipulating tengu.

(Source: 夫婦の一日)

Takaosan Monkey Park

The Takaosan Monkey Park is located in 3 minutes walking distance from the cable car Takaosan Station. There are approximately 60 monkeys living here. You can be up close to see monkeys with unique characteristics such as the one that jumps up every time his name is called by the staff.

(Source: そんなのホットケ!)

Mountain Top

The top of Mt. Takao is selected as one of "Top 100 Fuji Viewing Spots of Kanto," as a place that has a beautiful view of Mt. Fuji. When the weather is good, the grand shape of Mt. Fuji can be seen clearly from the observatory at the top of Mt. Takao.

(Source: 記録と記憶)

Cable Car

The Takaosan cable car connects Kiyotaki Station, which is right next to the Keio Line Takaosanguchi Station, a gateway from central Tokyo to Mt. Takao, with Takaosan Station where the observatory is located. As the cable car connects two stations with a difference of 271 meters of elevation, the steepest point is at an inclination of 31 degrees, Japan's steepest.

(Source: 亀歩の出逢)

Echo Lift

The other transport to Mt. Takao is the Echo Lift. This one connects Sanroku Station, next to Keio Line Takaosanguchi Station, with the mountain top station. It fits two people in each chair and you can feel the wind and fresh air as you go through the dense forest, so give it a try when the weather is good.

(Source: youtube )

Takao Omotesando

Mt. Takao has several trails to go up, of which the main one is the course called Takao Omotesando. Departing from Sanroku Station, you will pass Sanjo Station, Takaosan Station and the observatory, then explore the famous sites Busharitou, Yamamon and Yakuo-in. After a total of 3.8 km and approximately 100 minutes, you will reach the mountain top at 599 meters. There are many restaurants and souvenir stores around Takaosan Station and Yakuo-in.

(Source: masami5027のblog)

Specialty: Tororo Soba at Takahashiya

Takahashiya is a soba restaurant located by Kiyotaki Station. When visiting Mt. Takao, please try this restaurant's specialty "Tororo Soba." The soba is made out of buckwheat from Shinshu with added tororo (grated yam), whose combination with the thick tororo mix made from Japanese yam and Chinese yam results in an exquisite taste.

(Source: 食べログ)

Trick Art Museum

In front of Takaosanguchi Station is the Trick Art Museum. In this Egypt-themed museum, you will be able to take pictures that create amazing illusions and you won't believe what you see the first time.

(Source: Having Senior Moment)

Ukai Toriyama

Ukai Toriyama is an irori sumibiyaki (traditional Japanese fireplace charcoal grill) restaurant in Mt. Takao. In this restaurant, which is a reconstructed traditional Japanese house, you can savor char-grilled dishes that maintain the authentic taste of its ingredients while being close to nature.

(Source: うかい鳥山)