Takaosan Yakuōin Yukiji Temple: Your Essential Spiritual Stop on Mount Takao

It’s a Shame to Simply Pass Through Such a Prestigious Temple!

On your journey up Mount Takao, you will inevitably pass by “Takaosan Yakuōin.” The route continues from the temple’s inner grounds and onward to the summit.

If hiking is your main goal, you might be tempted to just walk by the temple—wait a second! That would be a missed opportunity. Yakuōin is a highly esteemed temple, one of the three major temples of the Shingon-shu Chisan-ha sect in the Kanto region, alongside “Naritasan Shinshoji Temple” and “Kawasaki Daishi Heikenji Temple.” It’s a temple with great renown.

Since you’re passing by, why not take a moment to learn about some of Takaosan Yakuōin’s highlights? It will make your trip more enjoyable than just a simple walk-through.

In this article, we’ll give you a quick guide on what to see at Takaosan Yakuōin, following the hiking route. Take this information with you and enhance your Mount Takao hiking experience.

Takaosan Yakuōin

Takaosan Yakuōin is a temple located in Hachioji City, Tokyo, officially named “Takaosan Yakuōin Yukiji Temple.” Mount Takao itself is known as a power spot, and Yakuōin is the spiritual center of Mount Takao worship.

Business hours

Reception: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Regular holiday

Open year - round

Telephone number

+081-42-661-1115

Official site

https://www.takaosan.or.jp/

Parking

Takaosan Yakuōin Prayer Hall Parking Lot(8 minutes on foot to Kiyotaki Cable Car Station)

How to visit

20 minutes on foot from Takaosan Cable Car Station

Address

2177 Takao - machi, Hachioji City, Tokyo 193 - 8686

Jōshinmon Gate

Jōshinmon Gate is the entrance to Takaosan Yakuōin. When walking along Mount Takao’s hiking trail, you will come across it.

The name “Jōshin” means “purifying the heart.” By passing through this gate, visitors are believed to cleanse their hearts, dispel evil thoughts, and prepare themselves physically and spiritually. Once through the gate, a pathway continues to the main temple gate, giving visitors time to mentally prepare for their visit to Yakuōin’s main hall.

As you pass through Jōshinmon, the path continues towards the main gate. Along the way, you’ll also find the famous “Men’s Slope” and “Women’s Slope” of Mount Takao. Walk carefully and spiritually renew yourself as you go.

Sanmon Gate

Sanmon is the gate marking the entrance to the temple grounds. Passing through this gate means entering the sacred grounds of Yakuōin.

In Buddhism, passing through the Sanmon gate is often regarded as a spiritual act of purification, preparing oneself for the worship or practices that follow.

Temple Grounds

The temple grounds are fairly spacious, and here you’ll find places to purchase protective charms, and talismans, as well as locations for Goma fire rituals and collecting temple stamps.

There are also stalls selling sweet sake, oshiruko (sweet red bean soup), and dango (skewered dumplings). You’ll need a bit of energy to make it this far, and if you’re planning to go all the way to the summit, we recommend a quick snack to refuel.

One of Mount Takao’s famous treats, “Takaosan Karinto” (sweet fried dough), is also available for purchase here. Along with the popular Tengu Manju, this makes for a must-buy souvenir.

Niōmon Gate

Continue through the grounds, up the stairs, and you’ll reach Niōmon Gate. True to its name, this gate is guarded by two fierce-looking statues of the Niō guardians.

After passing through Niōmon, you’ll reach the Main Hall.

Main Hall

The Main Hall (Gohondō) is the central building of Yakuōin. This is where you can offer your prayers and make a monetary offering.

The Main Hall houses the temple’s principal deity, Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of Medicine. Many visitors come to pray for good health, mental peace, and world harmony.

In front of the hall, there is a large incense burner. The incense offered here is for purification and prayer. The smoke from the incense symbolizes cleansing away negativity and offering one’s intentions to the Buddha.

If you’re lucky, you might witness a procession of monks heading toward the main hall for prayers. Accompanied by the sound of conch shells, this ritual is a memorable sight.

Honden Shrine

As you continue past the Main Hall, you’ll come to the Honden Shrine. Did you notice something unusual?

That’s right, there’s a torii gate. But wait, Yakuōin is a temple, and torii gates are typically found at Shinto shrines! This is a remnant of Japan’s ancient tradition of syncretism, where temples and shrines coexisted on the same grounds. It speaks to the long history of the site.

The official name of the Honden is “Izuna Gongen Hall,” and it enshrines the deity Izuna Gongen. This guardian deity was revered by warlords such as Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen.

The beautiful structure, built in the late Edo period, is designated as a Tangible Cultural Property of Tokyo.

When hiking to the summit, be sure to take a look behind the Honden. The view is truly stunning from this angle.

Oku-no-in (Inner Sanctuary)

This is the final and most secluded spot of Yakuōin—Oku-no-in, the Inner Sanctuary.

The Oku-no-in is a sacred space found in many temples across Japan. As its name implies, it is located deep within the temple grounds, in a quiet and spiritually important place. Here, visitors can experience a peaceful retreat, reflecting on their spiritual journey.

This is the last stop within Yakuōin before continuing the hike to the summit of Mount Takao. Take a moment to relax in the silence, letting your heart and mind settle before pushing on.

Takaosan Yakuōin: Enhance Your Hiking Experience

Mount Takao’s Yakuōin Temple is more than just a stop on the way to the summit. Let’s take a quick look at the key points:

1. Jōshinmon Gate: The gateway to purify your heart
2. Sanmon Gate: The official entrance to Yakuōin’s sacred grounds
3. Temple Grounds: Enjoy charms, temple stamps, and local treats like sweet sake and dango. Don’t forget to grab some Takaosan Karinto on your way out!
4. Niōmon Gate: Guarded by the fierce Niō statues
5. Main Hall: The central building dedicated to Yakushi Nyorai
6. Honden Shrine (Izuna Gongen Hall): A unique shrine within the temple grounds
7. Oku-no-in: A quiet, sacred retreat

By visiting these points, you’ll find that your Mount Takao hiking experience becomes much more fulfilling.

We hope your visit to Takaosan Yakuōin enhances your journey!