Mt. Takao

In short

Located about 50 kilometers west of central Tokyo, this mountain stands at an elevation of 599 meters. Since the Edo period, it has been cherished as a sacred mountain of faith and as an excursion spot. Visitors can ride a cable car or chairlift up to the mountainside, and it has at times recorded the highest annual number of climbers in Japan.

• ​Rich Forests​​: Situated on the boundary between warm-temperate and cool-temperate forest zones, the mountain is home to a wide variety of plant species. It was awarded three stars in the Michelin travel guide.
• ​Diverse Hiking Trails​​: From Trail 1, which is mostly paved, to Trail 4 featuring a suspension bridge, and Trail 6 running near a waterfall, visitors can choose routes according to their physical strength and preferences.
• ​Summit Views​​: The observation deck commands panoramic views of the Tanzawa mountain range, and on clear days, Mt. Fuji is also visible.

History and Highlights

​Mt. Takao​ is a mountain with an elevation of 599 meters, located about 50 kilometers west of central Tokyo. Since the Edo period, it has been widely known as a mountain of faith and as an excursion destination. On the mountainside stands Takaosan Yakuo-in Temple.

Mt. Takao lies on the boundary between evergreen broadleaf forests typical of warm regions and deciduous broadleaf forests common in cooler regions. Due to this location, plant varieties are abundant, and it is said to host approximately 1,600 species of plants and thousands of species of insects. This nature has long been protected. Near the Joshinmon Gate stands a stone monument forbidding the taking of life (sessho kindan). The Hojo clan of Odawara protected the mountain during the Sengoku (Warring States) period, and the Tokugawa Shogunate did so in the Edo period. In 1967, it was designated as Meiji no Mori Takao Quasi-National Park.

In the first travel guide to Japan published by France's Michelin, it was selected, together with Mt. Fuji, as a mountain rated a three-star tourist destination. Its annual number of climbers has also reached the highest in Japan.

Viewing and Experience Points

• ​Cable Car and Chairlift​​: Kiyotaki Station at the foot of the mountain opened in 1927 (Showa 2). The cable car operates two cars: the green "Aoba" and the red "Momiji." Along the way, it negotiates a steep slope with a maximum gradient of 31 degrees and 18 minutes. The Echo Lift is a two-person chairlift that takes approximately 12 minutes one-way, offering a close-up look at the surrounding forest.
• ​Tako-sugi (Octopus Cedar)​​: Standing along Trail 1, this cedar tree is said to be over 450 years old. Its twisted roots resemble the tentacles of an octopus. Legend has it that when the tengu (long-nosed goblins) decided to cut the roots because they blocked the approach path, the tree curled its roots toward the mountain side overnight.
• ​Summit Observation Deck​​: From the observation deck at the summit, visitors can look out over the Tanzawa mountain range stretching to the west. On clear days, Mt. Fuji is also visible, and the site is selected among the "100 Best Views of Mt. Fuji in Kanto." For a few days around the winter solstice, "Diamond Fuji," where the setting sun aligns directly with the peak of Mt. Fuji, can be observed.

Visitor Tips

Kiyotaki Station for the cable car is about a 3-minute walk from Takaosanguchi Station on the Keio Line. Taking the cable car up to Takaosan Station, it takes about 20 minutes on foot along Trail 1 to reach Takaosan Yakuo-in Temple, and roughly another 20 minutes from there to the summit. Walking all the way from the foot of the mountain takes about 70 minutes to Takaosan Yakuo-in Temple.

Trail 1 is mostly paved and easy to walk even for beginners. Trail 4 features the famous suspension bridge "Miyama-bashi," while Trail 6 runs alongside a mountain stream past Biwa-taki Falls. On Mt. Takao, trails can freeze over until early spring, and the sun sets early from autumn through winter. It is also the mountain where the "carry your trash home" campaign originated, so please be sure to take all trash with you. At the base of the mountain are the TAKAO 599 MUSEUM and Keio Takaosan Onsen Gokurakuyu.