Hike this mystical mountain and be rewarded with a view of Mt. Fuji
Mt. Takao is the most popular climbing spot in the Kanto area, located about 50 kilometers west of the city center. It is a wonderful mountain, designated as Michelin three star spot along with Mt. Fuji in 2007, and it’s a national park where you can leisurely enjoy mountain hiking even on a day trip. The mountain has been especially important to Japanese since 744, when Emperor Shomu commanded the creation of Yakushiji, a famous temple, and thereby encouraged followers to come to the mountain. Known as one of Tokyo's best outlooks, the view from the observation deck is of a big panorama overlooking the Kanto Plain, with skyscrapers in the distance. Leave the hustle and bustle of the city for a rejuvinating day where you'll connect with nature in a spiritual setting.
1) Meet guide at Keio Takaosanguchi Station (9:00)
2) Takao 599 Museum (9:05-9:30)
At 599m tall, Mt. Takao isn't particularly tall, however it is filled with abundant flora and fauna and covered in hiking trails, both accessible concreted trails and wild dirt tracks far off the beaten path. First you will walk to the Takao 599 Museum where you can learn about the plants and animals that inhabit this mountain. Watch a beautiful 3D lightup showing the four seasons of Takao, and feel free to ask your guide any questions you may have.
2) Hike Mt. Takao (9:30-13:30)
After the museum, you will then begin your ascent of Mt. Takao. The trails range in difficulty from easy to serious hiker so let your guide know what you prefer. On the way up, the guide will offer explanations of the wildlife you encounter, the views and the Budhhist and Shinto shrines and statues you'll see along the way. At any point along the trail you can stop for a breather, or to have a snack and a drink. 
3) Yakuo-in Temple (11:00)
Mt. Takao is considered a sacred mountain and has been a place of worship for over 1000 years. On the way up the mountain you'll pass through the Yakuo-in Temple where you can pray to Shinto-Buddhist mountain gods (tengu) for good fortune. 
4) Lunch (11:30)
After reaching the summit of the mountain, you can have lunch at your choice of restaurant. There are several shops selling typical Japanese fare such as soba or curry rice, while the temple has a Buddhist meal set on offer (vegan friendly) if you want something more special.
5) Takaosan Onsen (13:30-14:30)
Descend the mountain either on foot or by cable car or chairlift (the chairlift has no safety bar so be prepared to hold on tightly!). Then ease your tired muscles in a relaxing hot spring. Experience seasonal pools such as the pink "sakura bath", as well as several outdoor hot pools. If you have time after the onsen, the guide will show you around the town. You can see all the nostalgic old shops and hidden temples. Please note that the person with tattoos are not allowed to bathe in the hot springs.
・Enjoy views of Mt. Fuji from the top of Mt. Takao
・Revel in the seasonal beautify of Mt. Takao and the surrounding area
・Relax after your climb in the soothing waters of an onsen (hot spring)
・Learn about the mountain’s plant life at “TAKAO 599 MUSEUM”
・Learn about the mountain’s natural beauty and history from a local guide.
・Please wear suitable clothes and footwear.
・The tour has you walk both up and down the mountain, with a chair lift or cable car ride at the end. However, if you wish to ride the cable car or chair lift both ways, you will be responsible for your own fare and that of the guide as well. The one-way fare for either mode of transportation is ¥480 for adults and ¥240 for children.
・The guide will instruct you on how to use the hot springs.
・In cases of bad weather, the tour may have to be canceled as late as the day of the tour.
・Persons with tattoos are not allowed to bathe in the hot springs.
・During the peak travel seasons of March, April, October, and Year-end and New Year holidays (from December 30 to January 3), please be aware that there will be an additional charge of 2,000 yen per person for the tour.
| Price | ¥14,000〜 / person ¥14,000 per person for 3 persons or more |
|---|---|
| Duration | 5.5 hours |
| Hours of availability | Start time：9:00 am |
| Inclusions | ・English Guide |
| Exclusions | ・Hotel pick up & drop off |
| Participants | 1〜6 people |
Keio Takaosanguchi Station exit gates
Sarah（Singapore）★★★★★
Great day trip
If you want to get out of Tokyo for the day, this is definitely a great option. The scenery & views are fabulous. The route we took down the mountain was quite strenuous so lovely to relax in the onsen afterwards!!. The museum was small but certainly worth a visit. If you want to eat before you head back to Tokyo, do it earlier as many restaurants closed around 6pm.
Rie was a fantastic guide and is highly recommended!
Jason Townsend-Rogers（U.S.）★★★★★
Excellent Tour!
I thought that this tour was an excellent way to learn more about Tokyo while also having the opportunity to get some hiking done as well.
Wengling Chen（USA）★★★★★
An enjoyable tour at Mt Takao
I had a good time with my guide and I learned a lot of things I will definitely not discover on my own. We also had a lot of interesting conversations on our way. The hot spring at the end of the tour is also great!
Natalie Tan（Singapore）★★★★★
Wonderful day on the mountain
We were fortunate to have wonderful weather for our trip- 17C in December! The skies were blue, and there was still a lot of the beautiful autumn foliage that mount Takao is so famed for. The views were breathtaking, and we were able to see Mount Fuji clearly! Our guide, Tatsu, was friendly and knowledgeable. His grasp of English was excellent, and his ability to tell us about the history of the mountain was very good. He took us to a lovely spot for lunch, and then down the mountain for a very special onsen experience (although perhaps not for the overly modest amongst us!) A note about the chair lift- unlike European chair lifts, there were no restraints or safety belts of any sort- somewhat frightening if travelling with a young child!
Roshini （Singapore）★★★★★
Had a great time
Had a great time and a lifetime experience hiking the mountain with the hot spring. It was nice meeting you. And thank you so much for the gifts towards the end of the trip. Please help me thank your wife for writing my name in Japanese too. I love it. It's so sweet of the kind gesture. Thank you for directing me to Nagano. I am on my way there now. It have been pleasure talking to you yesterday too. Do let me know when you visit Singapore with your family one day. Will bring u for some good indian food as mentioned. Thank you!
Roshini Ganesan（Singapore）★★★★★
Fresh air and nature!
I really liked this tour. The hike up was a little strenuous but we took rests to enjoy the view along the way. After spending time in crowded Tokyo it felt really relaxing to be in the quiet forest in Takao. After lunch we had some extra time so the guide took me on a more secluded trail near the top that was really nice. We took a chairlift at the end and it was really long and kind of thrilling due to having no bar holding you in. The onsen was a nice way to end the day. I felt really refreshed after this tour. The guide was also great, he spoke good English and told me lots of interesting stories about the history of Takao and random interesting stories and titbits.
Reisa Jiang（China）★★★★★
Enjoyed Hiking!
Went on a full day hiking tour with Yoshi San, who was friendly, knowledgeable and fluent in English. Well planned trip and great experience. Highly recommended.
Tanja（France）★★★★★
Wonderful hiking in a peaceful area
Starting at the station, we met Tatsu-san and discussed what our preferences were. We opted for more hiking and started our walk. Our guide showed us all the hotspots of the mountain. The hike is partly on a paved mountain road along shrines and holistic spots. The other part was on normal hiking trails through wonderful, lush forests.
But what made our adventure so special were all the stories and insights into Japanese life and culture Tatsu-san gave us.
The visit of a traditional, japanese bath was the perfect finish after our hike.
We highly recommend the tour to Mt. Takao to everybody who is looking for nature and culture at the same time.
Glenn（USA）★★★★★
Mt Takao Hiking Tour Captured Splendor and Culture Richness of Japan
This Mt. Takao hiking tour was one of the highlights of my 3 week vacation in Japan. There are multiple trails that you can choose to take (easy to somewhat rigorous). Trail 6 was the “middle ground” and most scenic for me - ascending dirt trails, to climbing a few hundred steps on a wooden staircase. You’re often hiking along running streams and mini-falls. The terrain was thoroughly gorgeous and lush. Once to the top, the views were spectacular. There’s even a simple Japanese restaurant at the top, offering excellent soba, ramen, etc. My local guide, Tatsu, was excellent. He always took the time to answer my questions and provide many photo ops along the way. In addition, Tatsu was always ready to provide rich historical and cultural contexts to the many Buddhist temples and shrines we encountered along the way. This hike truly captured the beauty, majesty and rich history of Japan. Had the perfect ending, soaking and relaxing in natural hot springs (Japanese Onsen) at the base of the mountain. Highly recommend this hiking tour!
Francis（China）★★★★★
Wonderful day in Takao!
Tatsu was such an experienced guide with fluent English and massive knowledge of Takao san. I am so happy he guided us.
BROGAN（Australia）★★★★★
Excellent experience and tour guide!
The whole experience from start to finish was amazing. Our guide Tatsu was nothing short of fantastic. The knowledge and tips he provided throughout the day helped make the experience even better and he was very respectful of our needs all day. The views at the summit were incredible and well worth the climb.
Highly recommend this tour!
Tiia Ladvelin（Finland）★★★★★
Lovely winter day at Mount Takao with a perfect guide
We had an amazing time hiking to Mount Takao. Tatsu was such a knowledgeable and friendly guide, and really went the extra mile to make the trip tailored and personal to us.
Elena Raccuia（USA）★★★★★
Great experience and tour guide!
Tatsu was a wonderful tour guide. The hike is beautiful, and his knowledge and tips made the experience even better. I highly recommend this tour!
Caryn（USA）★★★★★
Hiking and more on Mt. Takao
This is a beautiful area for hiking, easily accessed by train, and offers trails of varying degrees of difficulty, from paved to rocky, leading to vistas at the top of both Tokyo and Mt Fuji. You will see shrines and religious sites that are interesting; the area is important to those considering the historic pilgrimage from Tokyo to Mt Fuji. Our guide Mori was wonderful and knowledgeable. The hike itself was about 90 minutes to the top, but we had great weather and it wasn't crowded, so we went quickly, choosing to linger at the top and then taking the funicular down to the base area, stopping at the temples. We finished with a nice soba lunch at the base, followed by a bath and massage at the onsen by the train station. We had not been to an onsen before, so some guidelines were important to know. Mori helped us navigate all this and we were so grateful and had a wonderful day.
Helen Perkins（Australia）★★★★★
Very enjoyable. Highly recommended
Highly recommend this tour. Our guide Keita san was fabulous. He had a wealth of knowledge about all areas we visited during the tour and was very helpful and insightful throughout. The temple ceremony was a highlight. Great way to spend a day outside of Tokyo city. Thankyou for a great day.
Alisha Moore（Germany）★★★★★
Your lucky with Yuki as Guide
We had a great time with Yuki. We are 2 Couples (35 bis 38 Years) that traveled the first time to Japan. Friends recommended Mt. Takao for a Daytrip. We were so lucky to have Yuki as our Guide. She picked us up from the station, asked us questions and made a trip that suited us. Couldnt asked for more.
Jessica Quinn（USA）★★★★★
Very memorable day!
Our family of four (kids 7 and 9) had a great day enjoying this special mountain retreat with Keita. He was a patient guide and made sure we got to see attractions that we would have missed otherwise. He went above expectations and accommodated our requests and needs. We're so glad we did this tour!
Suresh Nair（UAE）★★★★★
Brilliant trip to Mt Takao
Had a great day! Very nice trek to reach the summit of Mt Takao. Moderate difficulty. From the summit managed to sight Mt Fuji. This was great as we had been on the Mt Fuji trip the day before and were disappointed that we couldn't see it due to cloud cover. Our guide Keita Mizuki was a gem. Very easy going and patient in allowing time to trek at our speed.He was also full of interesting stories of the place and Japan. Took us to a nice place where we had a wonderful japanese lunch. Keita also knows two or three very famous people. Do ask him if you get a chance!
Jessica Li（USA）★★★★★
Self-Care Heaven
Absolutely the best experience for rejuvenating a worn-out soul—stunning mountain views, majestic cedar trees, splendid butterflies, a sublime Buddhist ceremony, refreshing soba noodles, finished with a cleansing trip to the onsen, conveniently tucked into Takaosanguchi station.
And, of course, the cherry on top is the company of an amazing guide. If you are matched with Keita, get excited, because you are in the best hands. This spirited young fellow went up and beyond the call of duty to make sure I was taken care of—hydrated, rested, safe, and satisfied. So chivalrous! We laughed our way up and down the mountain, exchanging stories and reflections on Japan, nature, the human experience, and world history. Would happily redo this tour every time I’m in Tokyo!
Alexandra Grave（France）★★★★★
an invigorating day away from the hustle of the city
Taking the cable car
Hearing stories about the special relationship between the Japanese and the mountain from my wonderful guide Takeshi
hiking all the way down Mount Takao
sharing a local lunch with my guide
Mukesh Bharatbhai Patel（USA）★★★★
Would do it again in cooler temperatures
Great experience ,pity the temperature was high. We hiked up and took cable car down .Guide was informative and interactive. Nice views from the summit except Mt Fujisan had cloud cover.
Angélica Pateiro（Mexico）★★★★★
Highly recommended!!
Hana was very attentive and friendly, an excellent guide for hiking! a very nice experience! If you are looking for an adventure out of the city, this is your chance!
Russell Takahara（USA）★★★★★
The little mountain hike outside Tokyo.
This was an amazing tour. It was exactly what was advertised, if not so much more. I did go on a busier day with a lot more people around attending this tour but weather was great. It rained around the time I went, so it was perfect.
Rie was an amazing guide. She listened to my questions, often checked to make sure I was good and gave suggestions on all the other things that could be done on this trip.
It was a solo trip and tour, so of course everything was catered to my needs. I'm certain a larger group, she would have been just as attentive.
If you want to take a breather outside of the city, I suggest this. The onsen at the end was the best finale.
Overall again, definitely would recommend!
Mei Chan（Singapore）★★★★★
Best thing for new year
Cultural experience & beautiful nature .. wonderful views. My guide Keita was
knowledgeable & very friendly. We enjoyed the hike
JASMINE FRANKEL（Australia）★★★★★
Tatsu @ Mt Takao - Hike, Lunch & Hot Spring
What a wonderful guide Tatsu has been today - we have hiked to summit of Mt Takao and learned so much along the way, finishing off with a beautiful traditional lunch and hot spring experience. Combining physical activity with learning about Japanese life, Trek No. 1 @ 3.8km was just the right level of challenge without being overly difficult. Perfect view of Mt Fuji rewarded us at the top. Thank you Tatsu for sharing your diverse knowledge with our Australian family.
Anthony Ray（USA）★★★★★
Mt. Takao with the best Hiking Expert Ever!
I had an incredible hiking experience! Rie is truly an expert, especially when it comes to hiking Mt. Takao. Her English is excellent, and her deep knowledge of the mountain enriched the experience, giving me a greater appreciation of its significance in Japanese culture.
We started our hike in the morning before the crowds arrived, though by noon and into the afternoon, it became quite packed. We took the cable car for the first section and then hiked to the summit. From there, we explored the suspension bridge before taking the lift back down. Rie was great at adjusting the pace to match our group—since we moved a bit faster than average, we had extra time to enjoy the views and discuss Japanese history and culture.
Having now experienced both the cable car and lift, next time I’d love to hike from the station to the summit and back for the full workout. After the hike, we enjoyed a delicious soba lunch, and I visited the onsen. While unrelated to Rie’s excellent guidance, I found the onsen overly crowded in the afternoon, making it difficult to truly relax—it felt like being packed in like cattle.
Overall, I had a fantastic time and would highly recommend this experience to anyone. Mt. Takao is much easier to climb than Mt. Fuji, and it offers beautiful nature and foliage. We even heard a nightingale singing clearly in the woods—a perfect touch to an already wonderful adventure!
Mrs Gail TRAU（Australia）★★★★★
Hike experience up Mt Takao
We had a spectacular hike up Mt Takao on a beautiful sunny day with our guide Mana! We made the summit, viewing a variety of shrines on the way, then a fun chair lift took us back down! Lunch was soba noodles! Amazing!! Finally we had a relaxing soak in an Onsen! What a day! Mana was the perfect guide!! Thank you!!
Robyn Taylor-Sharp（UK）★★★★★
Beautiful scenery, great tour guide
Amazing experience! Maki was very attentive and knowledgeable. We decided to walk up rather than use the cable car and got beautiful views of the scenery, foliage and waterfalls. It made the noodle dish we had at the top all the more satisfying. Would also recommend using the chair lift to descend as you get some amazing views going down the mountain.
Kate Ruperto（USA）★★★★★
Mt Takao 5 stars!
This was the best thing I did while visiting Japan! Keita was my guide and he was so knowledgeable, friendly and welcoming. He really tailored the tour to my pace and wishes. He took lovely photos for me and shared so much about local culture! I’m still raving about the experience to my family and friends.
Chris Hunter（Australia）★★★★★
Great experience
The Mt Takao hike was beautiful. The scenery was stunning. The hike was not too difficult, the steps near the end can be a challenge. Once at the top the views are amazing and you can see Mt Fuji. The shrines/Temples are very interesting. I recommend taking the chair lift down. Our guide Maki was great. She was very informative, helpful and great to talk to. She was great with our daughter and took lots of great photos.
Nadine M Yassin（USA）★★★★★
Hiking at Mt. Takano
My sisters and I hiked up to Mt. Takano with Sofia Walter and had an incredible time. Sofia was so knowledgeable about the history of the shrines, Japanese culture, and religion. She answered all our questions and we learned so much on our tour. She also took us to eat soba noodles afterwards which we have never eaten before and the food was incredible. Highly recommend Sofia to anyone looking to tour Tokyo or to going hiking.
Mark Currie（USA）★★★★★
Great experience all the way around!
My young adult kids and myself really enjoyed this hiking tour with our knowledgeable and perfect English speaking guide Kaita. Just the right amount of exercise to get the blood flowing so we could truly take in the sites and bury around us. Took in a Buddhist 20 minute ceremony near the top of the mountain. Finished with a hot buckwheat noodle dish and soak in a natural hot spring onsen. Highly recommend this tour!
