Tokyo Imperial Palace
Tokyo, Japan
Mount Takao, Tokyo
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Photo: Ximonic (Simo Räsänen), CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsThe essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Free — the trails cost nothing
- Hours
- Trails always open; cable car and chairlift by day, per timetable
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 4 h
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Cable car and chairlift
- ≈ ¥490 one way, ¥950 return
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Hiking up
- ≈ 1.5 hours to the summit
- Trail 1
- Paved, past the lift stations and temple
- From Shinjuku
- Keio to Takaosanguchi ≈ 50 minutes, ≈ ¥390
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Best time
- A clear morning; maples in November
Key facts
599 mheight of the mountain
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en.wikipedia8 trailslead to the summit
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en.wikipedia2.5 million+visitors a year
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en.wikipedia≈ 90 minutesthe average hike to the top
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en.wikipediaTengumountain spirits of Japanese folklore — Takao's emblem
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en.wikipediaYakuo-ina Shingon temple on the slope
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en.wikipedia30 minuteson foot from the upper lift stations to the summit
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en.wikipediaQuasi-national parkMeiji no Mori Takao
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en.wikipediaWhat is Mount Takao?
Takao is a 599 m mountain in the city of Hachioji, in western Tokyo, within Meiji no Mori Takao Quasi-National Park. It's less than an hour from the centre, which makes it the capital's most popular hike: more than 2.5 million visitors a year and eight trails of varying difficulty.
The mountain is closely linked to tengu — long-nosed mountain spirits of Japanese folklore — and to the ascetic practice of shugendo. On its slope stands Yakuo-in, a Shingon temple where people pray to the tengu for good fortune. On clear days you can see Fuji from the top, and in November the slopes turn red with maples.
How the mountain works
From Takaosanguchi station it's a couple of minutes to the foot of the mountain. Takaotozan Railway takes visitors halfway up by cable car and chairlift: the lower stations sit side by side, as do the upper ones. According to guides, it costs about ¥490 one way and ¥950 return. From the upper stations it's about 30 more minutes on foot to the summit.
On the way are Yakuo-in temple with its tengu statues, viewpoints and stalls selling soba noodles and dango. At the summit there's a viewing area looking over the mountains to Fuji, plus toilets and kiosks. Walking from the foot to the summit takes about 1.5 hours on average.
What to see
- The summit with views of Fuji on clear days.
- Yakuo-in temple with its tengu statues.
- The cable car up a very steep slope.
- The chairlift over the forest.
- Forest trails No. 6 and Inariyama.
- Red maples in November.
How to get to Mount Takao
Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
More tips
- From Shinjuku — Keio line to Takaosanguchi, about 50 minutes, ≈ ¥390 according to guides.
- Keio combo ticket — train plus cable car or chairlift at a discount.
- 'Mt. TAKAO' train — at weekends, reserved seats, about 45 minutes.
- From Takaosanguchi station — a couple of minutes on foot to the cable car and trails.
- By JR Chuo line — to Takao station, then change to the Keio line.
On foot or by cable car
| On footyou are here | ≈ 1.5 hours | Free | Moderate | Keen hikers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cable car or chairlift | Ride + 30 minutes on foot | ≈ ¥490 one way | Easy | Families and older visitors |
How long do you need?
Takao takes half a day: the trip from Shinjuku, the climb, the summit, the temple and the descent. Leave early to catch Fuji before the clouds and beat the cable-car queues.
Now, in November, it's maple season — the best and busiest time. At the foot of the mountain there's a hot-spring bath, a fine way to end the hike.
Is Mount Takao worth it?
Yes: it's the easiest nature escape from Tokyo — forest, a tengu temple and a view of Fuji less than an hour from Shinjuku.
The YesGo take: at weekends and in maple season the trails are packed and the cable car has queues. Go early on a weekday and climb the forest Trail 6 — Takao is much nicer that way.
Before you go: checklist
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You are ready for the visit
Nature near Tokyo: compare and choose
Natural sights and views in and around Tokyo rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Shibuya Crossing | 57 | 30 min | Free | 41.5 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo Tower | 56 | 1 h | Main Deck ¥1,500; Top Deck ¥3,300 online | 45.5 km |
| Tokyo Skytree | 53 | 1 h 30 min | from ¥1,800 (350 m), from ¥3,000 (both) | 52.1 km |
| Mount Fuji | 52 | 4 h | Free | 55.2 km |
| Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building | 43 | 45 min | Free | 41.1 km |
| Odaiba | 39 | 3 h | Free | 48.2 km |
| Roppongi Hills | 35 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ ¥2,200 online / ¥2,400 on site (winter 2026–27) | 44.1 km |
| Mount Takaoyou are here | 21 | 4 h | Free | — |
Takao and Shinjuku
A morning hike up Mount Takao, Shinjuku Gyoen in the afternoon, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government observatory in the evening. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Mount Takaoyou are here4 h · free; cable car ≈ ¥490
- 741 min walk from the previous stopShinjuku Gyoen1 h 30 min · ¥500; under 15 free
- 30 min walk from the previous stopTokyo Metropolitan Government Building45 min · free
3 places · about 19 h 6 min with walks · 771 min on foot in total
How to do it right
- Trail 6 is a quieter forest path.
- Leave early — before the clouds and queues.
- The Keio combo ticket is cheaper.
- November means maples and crowds.
- In the evening: Shinjuku.
Questions
How do I get to Mount Takao?
Keio line from Shinjuku to Takaosanguchi station, about 50 minutes.
How much is the cable car?
According to guides, about ¥490 one way and ¥950 return.
How long is the walk to the top?
About 1.5 hours on average from the foot, 30 minutes from the upper stations.
Which trail is easiest?
Trail 1 — paved, past Yakuo-in temple.
Can you see Fuji?
Yes, from the summit on clear days, especially in the morning and in winter.
When is the best time to go?
A clear weekday morning; November for the maples.
Is it good for children?
Yes, with the cable car and Trail 1.
Is there an entry fee?
No, the trails are free; only the lifts charge.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia: Mount Takao — height, park, trails, visitor numbers, tengu, Yakuo-in, climbing time, lifts
- Guides (GLTJP, Have a Good Holiday, Japan Activity and others) — cable car fares, Keio train, combo ticket (unofficial)
- Takaotozan Railway official site — wouldn't load by script; to be checked by hand
- Wikidata Q1329959 — coordinates
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