Just an hour from central Tokyo by train, Mt. Takao is a popular destination where even beginners can easily hike using the cable car or lift, offering the perfect blend of nature and culture.
Since earning three Michelin stars in 2007, Mt. Takao has attracted visitors not only from Japan but from all over the world.
Midway up the mountain lies Takao-san Yakuo-in Temple, founded during the Nara period (710 to 794 AD), while at the base, long-established restaurants have welcomed worshippers and tourists for generations.
One such historic soba restaurant is “Takahashiya,” where visitors can savor the history and charm of Mt. Takao through its food.
Takahashiya: a historic Edo period soba shop
The distinguished exterior of Takahashiya immediately catches the eye. Located along the route from Keio Takaosanguchi Station to Kiyotaki Station for the cable car, this restaurant has been serving soba since 1836, making it a venerable Edo-period establishment.
The fifth-generation owner continues to craft each bowl with care, preserving the techniques and dedication passed down through generations.
Exterior of Takahashiya
Inside the restaurant, the first thing that captures your attention is a magnificent persimmon tree, stretching toward the ceiling. Estimated to be about 150 years old, it’s truly a striking sight.
Even on weekdays after lunch, the restaurant sees a steady stream of customers. On busy weekends, extra seating is provided, though wait times are generally shorter than expected.
“冷しとろろそば,” HIYASHI TORORO SOBA (Soba Noodles with Grated Yam) 1,150 JPY (tax included)
One of Takahashiya’s most popular dishes is “HIYASHI TORORO SOBA (Soba Noodles with Grated Yam),” perfect for hot weather. The soba is chilled in cold water and topped generously with a special type of tororo (grated yam).
Takahashiya uses a unique dough composed of 60% buckwheat flour, blended with high-quality rice flour and tororo. The noodles have a firm texture and a smooth finish. Paired with cold dipping sauce, the soba’s aroma and refreshing taste are outstanding.
The tororo itself is given a special touch.
Equal parts of two types of Japanese mountain yam, the sticky yamato-imo and the thick, creamy nagaimo, are carefully combined and seasoned, creating a rich and mellow flavor that pairs perfectly with soba.
At Takahashiya, the tororo is further enhanced with fresh junsai (water shield plant) and a raw quail egg. Lightly mix them in the bowl before pouring over the soba and enjoying.
The sticky, flavorful tororo clings to the noodles, allowing for a smooth slurp. Other popular dishes include a hot version of “TORORO SOBA (Soba Noodles with Grated Yam)” and “TSUKE TORORO (Soba Noodles with Grated Yam-Dip in Cold Soup),” where soba is dipped in tororo-infused broth.
“冷し山菜そば,” HIYASHI SANSAI SOBA (Soba Noodles with Wild Mountain Vegetables) 1,100 JPY (tax included)
The “HIYASHI SANSAI SOBA (Soba Noodles with Wild Mountain Vegetables)” highlights the mountain’s natural bounty. Cold soba is served in broth with carefully simmered wild mountain vegetables like zenmai (fiddlehead ferns), nameko mushrooms, and grated daikon radish, resulting in a dish full of delicate flavors.
The accompanying mountain vegetables are carefully simmered to absorb rich flavors.
The nameko mushrooms offer a pleasantly smooth texture, while the tender fern shoots provide a subtle, delightful contrast to the earthy flavor of the soba.
Refreshing grated daikon adds a clean finish to the dish.
Enjoy the interplay of flavors from the mountain vegetables and grated daikon, savoring the bounty of the mountains with each bite.
Hearty rice bowls for big appetites!
Though primarily a soba restaurant, Takahashiya also offers a satisfying selection of rice dishes, perfect when paired with hot or cold soba.
“天麩羅丼,” TEMPURA DON (Rice with Tempura) 1,600 JPY (tax included)
The aromatic “TEMPURA DON (Rice with Tempura)” is one of the restaurant’s most popular rice dishes. This tempura rice bowl is topped with colorful tempura including shrimp, eggplant, shishitō peppers, maitake mushrooms, and carrot, it’s visually and gastronomically indulgent.
Two plump, meaty shrimp tempura are served, making for a visually indulgent dish. The crispy batter soaks up the subtly sweet and savory sauce, and when eaten with rice, the aroma and flavor explode in every bite.
This hearty tempura rice bowl is perfect for anyone who’s worked up an appetite after a hike up the mountain.
Interior of Takahashiya
Today, Mt. Takao is a bustling destination for hiking and sightseeing, but historically it was a mountain of faith, drawing visitors from far and wide. Stepping through Takahashiya’s entrance, you can quietly feel the traces of its long history.
When visiting Mt. Takao, a stop at Takahashiya is highly recommended!
Information
| Store name | 髙橋家 Takahashiya |
|---|---|
| Address | 2209 Takao-chō, Hachiōji-shi, Tokyo
|
| Access |
Takaosanguchi Station 3-minute walk from Takaosanguchi Station
|
| Phone number | 042-661-0010 |
| Reservations | Not accepted |
| Payment |
|
| Service charge/Table charge | None |
| Hours | Mon-Fri. 10:00-17:00（last order 16:30） Sat-Sun & nat’l holidays 10:00-17:30（last order 17:00） |
| Closed | Unscheduled holidays |
| Seating | Mon-Fri. 90 seats 2 counter seats, 58 table seats, 30 tatami room seats Sat-Sun & nat’l holidays 120 seats 2 counter seats, 58 table seats, 60 tatami room seats |
| Smoking | All seats are non-smoking |
| Official website | http://www.takahasiya.com/ |
| Other information |
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※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of August 2025.
