Let me share awesome things to do in Mt Takao that you should not miss.
Around 8:50 a.m., we arrived at Takaosanguchi Station. As Mt Takao is one of the most popular destinations for autumn’s vibrant foliage and can draw tourists all year round due to its many attractions, it was overly crowded as was to be expected.
Buy Food at Seven Eleven
We stopped at the 7eleven right next to the station to grab some onigiri and water so we could eat whenever we got hungry. Even at the summit of Mt Takao, there are food options, but given the crowds, it is better to be safe than sorry. Vendo machines are available along the route or at the summit of Mt Takao, however they are somewhat expensive. At the top, a ¥100 coffee costs ¥170.
Walk to Sanroku Station
We walked to Sanroku Station from Takaosanguchi Station to catch the cable car. We were warmly greeted by stunning autumnal colors along the road. People were waiting in line at the cable car platform as we arrived at Sanroku Station. Staff members were showing people where to stand in line and advising them to purchase tickets prior to lining up for the platform. We were fortunate to have our tickets in hand, so there is no need for us to wait in line at the ticket booth.
Ride Mt Takao cable car
Although it is considered to be the steepest cable car, we enjoyed the colorful journey but found it a little frightening as it traveled through tunnels on a slope of 31 degrees up to the halfway point of Mount Takao.
The trip took six minutes and cost ¥490 one-way; we used a Keio one-day pass for it (for more details, see our article on our Autumn Trip to Mt Takao from Shinjuku, Tokyo article).
Must-Try Tengu Yaki and Takaosan cheese tart
Around 9:30 am, we arrived at the cable car station, where we just stopped to take a few pictures at the observatory that overlooked another mountain.
Outside the Tengu-Yaki Store next to the station, there was a queue of people waiting, so we joined them. We waited for it to open since it opens at 10:00 am. Tengu-Yaki is limited up to 12 pieces per person and costs 180 yen per piece. The shape of Tengu-Yaki, a pan-cooked pastry with a black bean paste filling that resembles the face of the fabled Karasu Tengu creature found in Japanese folk religion, is inspired by the face of the Tengu (Shinto)
A cheese tart that is located right next to the tengu-yaki shop is another delectable treat. Sadly, after purchasing the tengu-yaki, the queue was too long for us to try it.
Monkey Shrine
We went where everyone else was going (lol). We didn’t use any maps at all; instead, we simply followed the crowd and paid attention to the signs. We discovered this adorable monkey named Catherine on her tiny shrine with her handler after some time of strolling. It was in front of the Monkey Park and the Wild Plant Garden, which attracted tourists.
Draw your luck (Omikuji)
If you want to draw omikuji, you pay ¥300 and make a wish. The handler will instruct Catherine (the adorable monkey) to draw an omikuji on her tiny makeshift shrine after you make your wish.
Omikuji, or fortune slips, are commonly found at shrines and temples. Prices range from ¥100～¥300 depending on the shrine/temple.
Plant Garden and Monkey Park
After enjoying watching Catherine draw fortune slips, we finally entered the Monkey Park and Wild Plant Garden. The entrance costs ¥400 but it was already included to our 1-day Keio ticket.
After taking a trip through the garden, we eventually joined the guests watching monkeys playing, eating, sleeping, and fighting as a staff member was explaining things to everyone about monkeys.
Read the descriptions of the park’s monkeys that are posted on the posters to get to know them. In fact, we discovered a monkey sharing Colleen’s name. Therefore, have a look at them since you might find monkeys with the same name as you.
We say goodbye to the monkeys in the park as it is time to leave for the summit of Mt Takao. We came upon Takosugi, or Octopus Shaped Cedar, a more than 450-year-old cedar tree on the ascending route not far from the monkey park. Its roots wind like the foot of an octopus.
As a sign of new beginnings and opening doors, takosugi is regarded as a lucky tree. According to legend, the cedar tree needed to be removed in order to clear a way since it was obstructing the path’s construction to Yakuo-in. People were amazed to see the cedar clean the path by overnight pulling its roots out of the way.
Although it is now prohibited, people used to touch the roots for good luck. It is not advisable for the tree to be touched by many people, thus a stone monument was constructed in its place.
Spot Totoro and friends chillin’
A short distance from the cedar tree, we saw Totoro hanging out with some pals. It’s just too cute for me not to share.
Entered the Joshin-mon
Going towards Yakuo-in, we passed through the large divine gate called Joshin-mon or “soul-cleansing gate” when you translate it literally.
Climbed Otoko-zaka stairs
After passing through the Joshin-mon, the course splits into two roads the Otoko-zaka (man-hill) and the Onna-zaka (woman-hill). We weren’t aware about this when we were heading towards the top, we just went where the crowd was heading and so we chose to climb the 108 steps ladder which is the Otoko-zaka.
After a breathtaking climb, we found another ladder with multiple steps after passing through a ring but we were running out of breath so we chose not to take it. We passed by here going down.
Tried Japanese Dango Snack at Gongen Chaya
Before traveling to Yakuo-in to the summit of Mt Takao, we stopped for a little rest at the renowned teahouse and rest area Gongen Chaya. Otoko-zaka and Onna-zaka re-convene here as well. The summit of Mt Takao will take 30 minutes from here.
Takao-san Yakuo-in Yuki-ji
Yakuo-in Temple, a historically significant site on a mountain in Japan, is situated on the slopes of MtTakao. There are numerous activities to do close to the temple, many of which had enormous lines when we visited.
Mt Takao Summit
We finally reached the peak! There were a lot of people.
Long lines formed at the restroom. We rush to find a seat so we may enjoy our 7-Eleven-purchased onigiris. Although there are restaurants at the top, the crowds made it a good thing we had previously purchased lunch. If you want to save money, it is also advised to bring your own drinks. Drinks purchased from a vending machine at the summit will be more expensive than usual.
Summit Signage Photo
Due to the lengthy wait, we were unable to take a picture with the summit signage. However, it is wonderful to take a picture with the signpost if you come here without the long lineups. It is unfortunate that I was unable to capture this moment on camera because it was my first mountain hike in Japan, but I was able to sneak a few pictures of the signpost.
Glimpse of Mt. Fuji
At the viewing platform on Mt Takao summit, I was able to catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji. Despite the poor visibility that day, I’m glad I was able to view it. It was a picture-perfect scene that was really magnificent.
Stupa near Otoko-zaka
We took the same route that we had used to hike up during the descent. When we got to the Gongen Chaya, we chose to go up the slope rather than straight up the Onna-zaka or the Otoko-zaka Stairs. We were greeted by vibrant foliage as we ascended the hill, and at the summit we discovered a Buddhist memorial. It had been labeled as Busshari Relics Stupa.
After passing through the ring and taking the stairway we had initially refused to take on the way up, we arrive at Otoko-zaka. From there, we descend and make our way to the chair-lift station.
Mt Takao Chair-lift
Going back to the foot of Mt Takao, we opted to ride the chairlift for an extra experience. It was a bit scary as chairlifts don’t have seatbelts and you can see the steepness going down but it was really worth the experience.
Mt Takao chair lift Photo Souvenir
Watch out for the cameraman on some corners in between rides when you’re on a chair lift since they’d be taking pictures of you while you’re on the chair lift. You can retrieve a hardcopy and a softcopy of your snapshot at the exit of the lift. It costs ¥1,000 for one photo, 2 photos cost ¥1,500. We were 5 at that time so we got our photos for ¥3,000.
Visit their website to know more about cable car.
Side Trip: Korean Town at Shin-Okubo
We rode the train from Takaosanguchi Station to Shinjuku Station still using our 1-day keio ticket. Then, we decided to have our dinner at Koreantown in Shin-Okubo. Shin-Okubo Station is one station away from Shinjuku via Yamanote Line bound for Ikebukuro and Ueno.
