Summary
For this trip, we took a stroll on Mt. Takao, enjoyed the fall views, exercised in nature, and savored some delicious food after the hike. This guide walks you through Trail 1 from Takaosanguchi Station to the summit, with stops at Yakuo-in temple, the famous Takosugi cedar, and a hearth-cooking dinner at Gonsuke.
We also added practical info on trail options, cable car fares, and tips for visiting in different seasons, so you can plan your own Mt. Takao day trip.
*Please note that information and prices listed are subject to change.
Before You Go: What to Know
Getting There
Mt. Takao sits in Hachioji City, western Tokyo. From Shinjuku Station, take the Keio Line to Takaosanguchi Station. The express train takes about 50 minutes and costs around JPY 400. That's it — no transfers needed.
Choosing Your Trail
Mt. Takao has six numbered trails (Trail 1 through Trail 6), plus the Inariyama Trail. Here's a quick breakdown for beginners:
- Trail 1 — The main route. Paved, well-signed, with shops, restrooms, and the Yakuo-in temple along the way. About 3.8 km, roughly 100 minutes up on foot. The easiest and most popular choice for first-timers.
- Trail 3 — A quieter forest path. About 2.4 km and 60 minutes up. Fine for beginners who want fewer crowds and don't mind fewer restrooms.
- Trail 4 — Another forest route with a suspension bridge along the way. About 1.5 km and 50 minutes up. A good "nature" option that still feels manageable.
- Trail 6 — A streamside path that's longer (3.3 km, 90 minutes) and rougher underfoot. Better for people who've hiked before. It can also have one-way restrictions during busy weekends.
We took Trail 1 for this trip, and we'd recommend it for anyone visiting Mt. Takao the first time.
Cable Car & Lift
If you'd rather skip the lower half of the climb, the cable car or chairlift from Kiyotaki Station takes you partway up in about 6 minutes. From the upper station, it's roughly 40 to 60 minutes on foot to the summit.
- Fare: JPY 490 one way / JPY 980 round trip (adults). JPY 250 one way / JPY 470 round trip (children)
- Hours: First ride at 8:00 am. Last ride down varies by season — around 5:30 pm on weekdays and 6:00 pm on weekends during spring and autumn. Check the Takao Tozan Railway website before your visit, as schedules change with seasons and holidays.
What to Wear and Bring
Trail 1 is mostly paved, but proper shoes still matter. Sneakers or light hiking shoes work well — avoid sandals or fashion shoes. Bring water, a small towel, and some cash or an IC card for food stalls and the cable car.
Best Time to Visit and Crowd Tips
Mt. Takao is good year-round, but each season has its own draw:
- Spring (late March to May): Cherry blossoms appear around late March to early April. Fresh green leaves fill the trails from April onward. The nearby Takao Baigo area also has plum blossoms from late February through March.
- Summer: The Beer Garden at the cable car station opens, and the shade from the dense tree canopy keeps things cooler than central Tokyo.
- Autumn (mid-November to early December): Peak fall foliage. This is the most crowded season.
- Winter: Fewer crowds and clear views — you're more likely to see Mt. Fuji from the summit on a cold, crisp day.
To avoid crowds, go on a weekday if you can. Start early — arriving by 8:00 or 9:00 am makes a big difference, especially on autumn weekends when the trails get packed by mid-morning.
Travel Itinerary
07:30am Takaosanguchi Station
Meet at Takaosanguchi Station, the gateway to Mt. Takao! This beautiful station building with a Japanese atmosphere was designed by architect Kengo Kuma and is made of cedar wood.
The spacious square in front of the station is ideal for meeting up.
Meet up at 7:30 am!
Breathe in the fresh morning air and we're ready for Mt.Takao!
Takaosanguchi
Autumn leaves
It's a good feeling to be able to see the autumn leaves in the morning.
Takaosanguchi Station is located in Hachioji City, Tokyo, and serves as the gateway to Mt. Takao. There is a plaza in front of the station, which is ideal for meeting people. Besides using the station as a starting point for climbing Mt Takao, some people use the nearby toilets to avoid the crowds in the bathrooms on the trail. On the way back, a shuttle bus takes you to the station, which is also handy for sightseeing.
07:36am Kiyotaki Station
After 5 mins walk from the station, we get to the foot of the mountain! You can get to halfway up the mountain by using a cable car or lift, but this time we will walk!
The autumn leaves at the foot of the mountain are also very beautiful!
There was a shopping street in front of Kiyotaki Station
There was a row of souvenir shops and restaurants, so we might stop off later.
Souvenir shop
A row of restaurants
Finally, let's climb!
We're going up on the beginner's track (Trail 1), but we're excited and nervous.
Kiyotaki Station is the cable car station at the foot of Mt. Takao in Hachioji City, Tokyo. It takes only five minutes to walk from Takaosanguchi Station, and from here the cable car and lift can take you to the midpoint of the mountain, or you can walk up on your own. The area around the station has several soba restaurants and snack shops worth checking out before or after your hike.
08:20am Takosugi (The Octopus Shaped Cedar Tree)
Just past the halfway point of the mountain, we found "Takosugi."
Looking at the base of the tree, you can see that it is bent like the legs of an octopus! It is said to be a lucky cedar because the roots of the cedar, which were in the way when the approach was being built, wound around and opened up the approach.
It is a whopping 37 metres high!
It was a powerful giant cedar.
How old are the trees?
450 years old!
Next to the Takosugi is a lucky 'Hippari-dako'!
Pat the head — may bring you luck!
It's so cute with a smooth head.
Takosugi is located halfway up Mt. Takao in Hachioji City, Tokyo. It is known as the "opening cedar" because at this spot, the roots of a cedar tree that got in the way of building the approach wound up and opened the path. Takosugi is said to be over 450 years old and sits along the approach past the monkey and wildflower gardens. It's a popular power spot for visitors. A wire fence has been installed to protect the tree, so please watch from a distance and avoid touching it.
08:45am Takao-san Yakuo-in
Popular power spot on Mt. Takao! It was located at about the eighth station of the trail.
The grounds are lined with various beneficial objects and statues, as well as shops, making it fun just to walk around!
There are many Tengu in the precincts of Yakuo-in
It is said to bring good luck, ward off bad luck and bring good fortune!
Colourful autumn leaves are also found in the precincts!
It was a beautiful view, so I couldn't help and take a quick snap.
There were many charms on display!
Ward off bad luck
Omamori (Lucky Charm)
Behind the bright red Niomon gate is the main hall
Remember to bow before climbing the stairs.
Arrive at the main hall
After passing through the Niomon Gate, you come face to face with the main hall, the largest hall in Yakuo-in!
There is also a Tengu in the main hall!
He is a big tengu with a red face and a high nose.
The size and power is astonishing!
Takao Yakuo-in is officially called Takaosan Yakuoin Yuki-ji Temple. It sits at the eighth station of Mt. Takao and has been a center of mountain worship for centuries. The temple is well known for its tengu (mountain goblin) statues, which are believed to ward off evil. It's also a beautiful spot for autumn foliage. You can reach it without using the cable car — it's part of the Trail 1 route.
09:00am Otoko-zaka
After starting the climb again and walking for a while, you are faced with a path that divides into two! On the left is the steep staircase "Otoko-zaka" (Men's Slope) and on the right is the gentle slope "Onna-zaka" (Women's Slope).
108 steps
The "Otoko-zaka" has 108 steps, the same number as the number of human worldly desires in Buddhist tradition.
We went to the "Otoko-zaka"
The "Otoko-zaka" is a slope on the approach to Yakuo-in Yuki-ji Temple on Mt. Takao. After passing through the Joshinmon gate, the path splits — the steep staircase on the left is "Otoko-zaka" and the gentle slope on the right is "Onna-zaka." Both routes rejoin at the same point, so pick whichever suits your mood and energy level.
10:00am Mt. Takao Summit
At last we reached the summit of Mount Takao! On clear days, you can see Mt. Fuji from here.
Photo to commemorate the 599 m ascent!
The summit is an open space with a good view
Beautiful autumn leaves on the summit square
It has soothed my tired heart!
Bright red autumn leaves
Enjoy the autumn colours while sitting on a bench
View of the summit
If the weather is good, Mt. Fuji is usually visible, but unfortunately, we couldn't see it this time.
Views towards the city centre are also available!
The town looks so small — we're proud that we made the climb!
Mount Takao rises 599 metres above sea level in Hachioji City, Tokyo. Close to the city centre, it draws hikers and tourists throughout the year. The summit has an open viewing area with benches, and on clear days you can spot Mt. Fuji to the west. There are also hot springs and trick art attractions near the base that pair well with a day of hiking.
11:00am Yamabiko Chaya
One of the pleasures of the summit! We headed to this restaurant for a gourmet meal on Mt. Takao.
Shop interior
There was seating, tables in the restaurant, tables on the terrace and counter seating.
Menu
The menu included soba, set meals, and sweets. Wild vegetables and yam dishes were well represented. There are many other tasty foods besides soba!
Sansai Tororo soba (1,200 yen)
We ordered the Sansai Tororo Soba (1,200 yen)! Soba noodles topped with both wild vegetables and grated yam — a Mt. Takao classic.
Tororo soba is the signature dish of the Mt. Takao area. There are nearly 20 soba restaurants from the base to the summit, and the tradition goes back to Yakuo-in worshipers who ate tororo soba for energy before climbing. If you eat only one thing at Mt. Takao, make it this.
On a terrace with a great view
You can eat while enjoying a panoramic view of Mt. Takao, and the food tastes even better up here!
Exterior looks like this
Yamabiko Chaya is a restaurant near the summit of Mt. Takao in Hachioji City, Tokyo. It is known for its soba and mountain dishes. Many visitors come here to eat after reaching the top — sitting on the terrace with a view of the surrounding mountains is a great way to rest your legs.
1:00pm Takaosan Sumika
Eat and drink at this spot halfway up the mountain. You can find delicious Mt. Takao specialities here too!
Gourmet food
Soba noodle shops and cafe restaurants. There were eateries that were perfect for refueling during the climb!
Tengu yaki (150 yen)
First, get the "Tengu-yaki" — a type of pancake!
With a tengu face
It has a tengu face and looks like it could bring good luck! Crispy and chewy, with black bean paste inside. It was so good I wanted to take it home as a souvenir!
Mitsufuku-Dango (three lucky dumplings)
They're called Mitsufuku dango, meaning three types of luck — "great fortune," "happiness," and "wealth." I have to eat them because they bring me good luck!
Being grilled
It's getting more and more charred and looks delicious!
Mitsufuku dango (350 yen)
Mitsufuku dumplings with a generous coating of walnut miso. Savory and chewy! The dumplings were more generous than I expected and I was full.
Observation space in front of the shop
Full of happiness, eating delicious food with great views!
Takaosan Sumika is a commercial area next to the cable car's upper station, halfway up the mountain. It has a mix of soba shops, snack stands, and a cafe. Tengu-yaki and Mitsufuku dango are the two most popular items — expect lines on weekends.
3:50pm Takaosanguchi station
From the foot of Mt. Takao, we returned to the station for a shuttle bus to take us to our next destination!
4:00pm Gonsuke
After we finished climbing, we came to this completely private restaurant where we can enjoy hearth-roasted food.
A car will take you to the shop
They can pick you up from Takaosanguchi Station since it is a bit far away. Please note that prior contact for the pick-up service is required.
Shop interior
The entrance leads to a reception and shop, where you can make your order.
Souvenirs also available
Specialities for souvenirs
Menu
The menu primarily features a course meal.
Private rooms dotted around the 6,000 tsubo grounds
The restaurant is said to resemble a village, with 6,000 tsubo of land dotted with separate private rooms! The atmosphere was magical, as if you had entered a folk tale.
The lanterns are lovely
There's also a large pond on the grounds
Walking along, you feel like you've wandered into a village.
Each room is very nice!
Rooms
The warm atmosphere makes you feel like you've come to grandma's house. The restaurant is spacious, so you can enjoy your meal in a relaxed atmosphere!
First, a beer toast!
Himesama Course Meal (4,170 yen)
We ordered "Himesama course meal"! It included an appetizer, seven grilled dishes, and so on.
Let's grill
Enjoy grilling around the hearth.
Also grilled ayu fish! It was crispy on the surface and fluffy and tasty inside.
Finishing off with...
There was a choice of mushroom udon or barley rice with grated yam.
Barley rice with grated yam
The stomach is full and very satisfied!
Gonsuke, located in Hachioji City, Tokyo, is a fully private restaurant where you can enjoy hearth cooking. The grounds are large enough to feel like a small village, with separate rooms scattered among trees and ponds. It is a great way to wrap up a day of hiking. Note that only set course menus are available, and you'll need to contact them in advance for the pickup service from Takaosanguchi Station.
After Your Hike: Keio Takaosan Onsen Gokurakuyu
If your legs need a soak after the hike, Keio Takaosan Onsen Gokurakuyu is right next to Takaosanguchi Station. It's a natural hot spring facility with both indoor and outdoor baths.
- Hours: 8:00 am to 10:30 pm (last entry at 9:45 pm)
- Admission: JPY 1,100 on weekdays / JPY 1,300 on weekends and holidays (adults)
- Note: Towels are not included (available for purchase or rental). Tattoos are not permitted.
It's a popular post-hike spot, so weekends can be crowded — heading there straight after your descent gives you the best chance of avoiding a wait.
Related Experiences
If you want a guided Mt. Takao experience, check out our summit tea ceremony tour — you'll hike up with a Kyoto-trained tea master and enjoy matcha at the top:
For more on what to see and do around Mt. Takao, see our full travel guide:
