Day Trip to Mount Takao: Stunning Views and Delicious Food Near Tokyo

Just about an hour from Shinjuku in Tokyo, Mt. Takao offers a rare combination of easy access and rich natural beauty, drawing hikers and tourists all year round.

In 2007, the mountain earned three Michelin stars, putting it firmly on the world’s travel map. With an elevation of 599 meters (approximately 1965.22 feet) and roughly 3 million visitors a year, it’s one of Japan’s most beloved mountains. Let’s explore what makes it so special.

Choose the hiking style that’s just right for you!

If you’re coming by train, head for Takaosanguchi Station on the Keio Line.

Here you’ll find restaurants, shops selling hiking gear, a hot spring facility, and a tourist information center—the perfect starting point for your visit.

At the tourist information center next to the ticket gate, free course maps are available, perfect for a walking tour. First-time visitors should definitely make use of them.

English versions of the course maps are also available.

While Mt. Takao is a popular sightseeing destination, most routes take you along genuine forested trails. For safety and comfort, avoid overly casual attire—basic hiking gear is best.

Many paths are paved and can be walked in sneakers, but trekking shoes are ideal. You’ll occasionally see people in leather shoes or high heels—but it’s best to avoid these, as it can be dangerous.

One of the unique charms of Mt. Takao is that you can choose from multiple routes depending on your fitness level and experience.

First, there are two main options for reaching the summit of Mt. Takao.

One option is to take a trail that climbs via ridges separate from the main ridge, or along its surrounding paths.

This involves following either “Trail 6” or the “Inariyama Trail,” both of which take about 1 hour and 40 minutes to reach the summit. Since this route involves walking along mountain paths, it’s important to have appropriate gear for hiking.

The other option is “Trail 1” which climbs along the main ridge from the base.

You can walk the entire way to the summit, but part of the route allows you to use the cable car or lift, making it a popular choice for tourists and those who may not be confident in their stamina.

The cable car and lift depart from Kiyotaki Station, located about a 3-minute walk from Takaosanguchi Station.

For this article, we’ll cover taking the cable car and ascending the mountain via the classic Trail 1 to the summit.

The fare for both the cable car and the lift is the same: 490 JPY one way, or 950 JPY for a round trip (tax included). Payment can be made with cash, as well as IC transit cards or credit cards that support contactless payment.

The cable car departs approximately every 15–20 minutes. If you are visiting in the late afternoon, be mindful of the return schedule.

As the cable car moves through a tunnel of lush greenery, simply sitting back and enjoying the ride is enough to lift your spirits and ready you for the hike.

The one-way journey takes about six minutes. The Takao Tozan Railway cable car boasts a maximum gradient of 31.3 degrees—making it the steepest cable car line in Japan.

Take in the dynamic views from the windows and savor the ever-changing beauty of the surrounding nature.

The cable car’s final stop is Takaosan Station, located at an elevation of 472 meters (1,549 feet). The moment you step off the platform, you’re greeted by crisp mountain air and lush natural scenery.

Right next to Takaosan Station is “Takaosan Sumika,” a combined facility with a restaurant serving soba and other dishes, as well as a shop selling snacks and souvenirs.

With its great views, many visitors choose to enjoy lunch here before continuing their journey.

One popular treat sold at “Takaosan Sumika” is the tenguyaki, a cute baked sweet shaped like the face of a tengu — a legendary, long-nosed mountain spirit found in Japanese folklore. Tengu imagery can be found throughout the area on Mt. Takao.

Inside the freshly baked, crisp outer shell is a mildly sweet black bean paste filling.

Once you’ve taken a relaxing break, it’s time to head for the summit. From here on, the route continues as a hiking trail accessible only on foot.

Hike to the summit via Takao-san Yakuo-in Temple, a sacred site of worship

Trail 1 is a scenic route that passes through Takao-san Yakuo-in Temple, a temple midway up the mountain, blending nature and culture. It’s also well-known as a path for worshippers.

From here to the summit takes about 50 minutes at a relaxed pace.

The path leading to Takao-san Yakuo-in is a relatively gentle slope, but you can still enjoy the mountain’s lush greenery.

Beyond the Jōshinmon Gate lies the grounds of Takao-san Yakuōin. This is also the branching point for two alternate summit routes: Trail 3 and Trail 4.

Passing through the gate, the path soon splits in two — the Otoko-zaka Hill (108-step stairway), a steep set of stairs, and Onna-Zaka Hill (gradually sloped trail), a gentler, curving incline.

Choose whichever suits your energy level and mood for the day.

At the top of the slope, you’ll find a teahouse called “Gongen Chaya,” where many visitors pause for a break before or after their visit to the temple.

The shop’s specialty is large, charcoal-grilled dango (traditional Japanese rice dumplings often served on skewers), giving off a deliciously smoky aroma.

They have a satisfying heft in the hand, with a crisp, lightly charred exterior and a chewy, mochi-like center.

Flavors include mitarashi (sweet soy glaze), sweet miso, and savory soy sauce—each fragrant and flavorful enough to tempt you into having just one more.

With your hunger satisfied, continue along the path until the temple’s sanmon gate comes into view.

Climb the stairs, pass through the imposing Nio-mon Gate, and you’ll finally arrive at Takao-san Yakuo-in Temple. Take some time to pay your respects and enjoy the serene atmosphere.

The official name of the temple is Takao-san Yakuo-in Yuki-ji. Alongside Naritasan Shinshō-ji and Kawasaki Daishi Heiken-ji, it is considered one of the three great head temples of the Kanto region.

Its history stretches back over 1,200 years, having been founded in the year 744.

Takao-san Yakuo-in is a shinbutsu shūgō (syncretic) temple that blends Buddhist and Shinto traditions, honoring deities such as Izuna Daigongen, the mountain-protecting tengu, and Yakushi Nyorai (the Medicine Buddha). Mt. Takao is closely tied to tengu legends and tengu worship, and you’ll find statues of these long-nosed (sometimes beaked), mystical guardians scattered throughout the temple grounds.

Climbing the stairs to the left of the Main Hall brings you to the temple’s Main Shrine, a beautiful example of mid-Edo period shrine architecture. This sacred site is also well worth a visit.

At last—the summit! Enjoy the feeling of a true mountain climb

From here, the summit is just a final push away! Head up the steep stairs located behind the Main Shrine.

As you go, the path becomes a genuine mountain trail. If you plan to reach the summit, sturdy and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

From this point, it’s about another 20–30 minutes to the top.

And finally—you’ve arrived at the summit of Mt. Takao!

The sign reading “Mt. Takao” is a popular photo spot where many visitors commemorate their climb.

The summit plaza offers restaurants, snack stands, benches, restrooms, and a visitor center.

Some hikers continue on from here to traverse other peaks, such as Mt. Kagenobu (elevation 727 m / 2,385 ft) or Mt. Jinba (elevation 857 m / 2,812 ft).

From Mt. Takao’s summit, you can see not only the mountains of Kanagawa Prefecture but, on clear days, even Mt. Fuji.

The observation deck features information boards identifying the surrounding peaks.

Descent via the popular trekking route: Trail 4

After taking in the spectacular summit views and catching your breath, it’s time to head back down.

For the descent, we chose Trail 4, which lets you fully experience Mt. Takao’s rich natural surroundings.

The path feels even more like a true mountain trail compared to Trail 1. As you proceed, enjoy the greenery and birdsong while navigating the gentle ups and downs along the way.

One of Trail 4’s highlights is the suspension bridge, adding an extra element of fun. In autumn, the stunning fall foliage makes this route especially popular.

After about 40 minutes of descending, we returned near Takaosan Sumika. Here, we opted for the lift ride down.

The cable car and lift are the same price, so it’s easy to buy a round-trip ticket and go up via cable car and down via lift.

The descent on the lift offers a thrilling perspective on Mt. Takao’s steep slopes. Be sure to keep a firm hold on your belongings and phone!

About three hours after starting the hike, we returned to Kiyotaki Station. It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy some Mt. Takao gourmet treats.

Between Kiyotaki Station and Takaosanguchi Station, a variety of restaurants line the path.

At “Takahashiya,” founded in the Edo period (1603 to 1868), you can enjoy soba while feeling the long history of Mt. Takao’s spiritual significance.

For photos and menu details, including their delicious “Chilled Tororo Soba,” see the article linked here.

Just one hour from central Tokyo, Mt. Takao offers an experience wrapped in lush forest. The harmony of nature and culture ensures a fresh discovery on every visit.

Even without hiking, the mountain can be enjoyed via the cable car or lift, visiting the Yakuo-in Temple, or simply soaking in the scenery according to your interests.

Especially during cherry blossom season in spring, forest bathing in summer, and autumn foliage, the vistas are truly breathtaking. Mt. Takao is a convenient spot to experience nature and should be on your travel list.

Information

Name	高尾山 Mt. Takao
Address	2176 Takao-chō, Hachiōji-shi, Tokyo Takao Visitor Center
Phone number	042-664-7872 Takao Visitor Center
Mountain visiting hours	24 hours for pedestrian access
Closed	No holidays
Access fee	Free（excluding some paid facilities）

※All information in this article is accurate as of August 2025.