Mount Takao: An Easy Hiking Adventure Near Tokyo for Beginners

You Can Reach the Top of Mount Takao via the Cable Car and Trail 1! The Key is Choosing the Right Route

Mount Takao offers a wide variety of trails, catering to both beginners and experienced hikers. Whether you’re a tourist without hiking gear or a hiking enthusiast, you can enjoy the diverse attractions of Mount Takao.

This time, we thoroughly tested Trail 1, which is accessible even for tourists or beginners without hiking gear, and also used the cable car for an easier ascent. We’ll show you the routes to the summit and the scenery you’ll encounter along the way!

Check out this article to get an idea of what Mount Takao hiking is like. We’ll also include the time progression throughout the day, including stops and breaks, so you can better estimate how long it will take.

For basic information on how to get to Mount Takao and what to wear, click the link below.

Clothing and Gear

The hike was in January. Here’s what I wore, and it worked perfectly:

• Comfortable clothing with a warm, thick down jacket
• Regular sneakers
• I didn’t bring much, just a small cross-body bag

However, if there’s snow, sneakers can be very slippery and dangerous, especially on the stairs. It’s highly recommended to wear non-slip hiking shoes or postpone your hike until the snow melts.

Starting the Journey at Takaosanguchi Station

🕛 10:37 am

If you’re coming by train, get off at Takaosanguchi Station on the Keio Takao Line.

With its wooden accents and modern design, the station lifts your spirits as soon as you arrive.

Takaosanguchi Station has restaurants, souvenir shops, and even an onsen (hot spring), Keio Takaosan Onsen Gokurakuyu. There’s also a tourist information center right by the ticket gates, which is handy if you need more info about Mount Takao or the surrounding area.

From Takaosanguchi Station, let’s head toward Kiyotaki Station, where the cable car is located.

It’s only a 5-minute walk, so before you know it, you’ll be there while enjoying the local atmosphere.

Let’s start our adventure from Takaosanguchi Station!

The path is well-paved, and there are plenty of shops and restaurants along the way.

After walking for about 5 minutes…

🕛 10:44 am

We arrive at the entrance of Mount Takao, Kiyotaki Station, where the cable car is located!

Takao Shopping Street

Before we start climbing Trail 1, let’s grab some snacks!

The main street extending from the cable car station is Takao Shopping Street, full of souvenir shops and eateries! You won’t have to worry about finding nourishment here.

If you want to enjoy Mount Takao to the fullest, I highly recommend exploring these shops along the way.

At the base of Mount Takao, there are plenty of shops and restaurants, making it perfect for fueling up before your hike.

We grabbed some snacks at a long-established manju (steamed bun) shop. Enjoying warm manju and tea gives you that travel vibe, highly recommended!

Mount Takao Cable Car Kiyotaki Station

🕛 11:01 am

Now, we’ve arrived at the cable car station at Kiyotaki.

From here, you can choose between taking the “Cable Car” or the “Lift” to ascend Mount Takao.

You can purchase tickets from the touch-screen machines, and electronic payment methods are accepted.

I purchased a round-trip ticket!

The cable car platform is right next to the ticket counter.

After waiting for a bit, the cable car arrived, so we hopped on.

One feature of the cable car is that its vehicles are slanted.

🕛 11:15 am

The cable car departs right on time! It’s a 6-minute ride, climbing up Japan’s steepest gradient.

Takaosan Station

We’ve arrived at Takaosan Station!

The cable car has brought us up quite a bit. While it’s possible to hike all the way up via Trail 1 without using the cable car or lift, it’s a steep and challenging path, especially for beginners or tourists. It feels more like a workout than a hike. That’s why using the cable car or lift allows you to skip this strenuous part.

The view from Takaosan Station is also great, with a sense of openness that feels refreshing.

You’ll see both hikers in full gear and casual walkers in everyday clothes.

Starting the Hike! Trail 1

🕛 11:24 am

Now, let’s begin the hike along Trail 1. We leave Takaosan Station and start the ascent.

The walking paths are well-maintained and paved, making them easy to navigate.

First Rest Stop

You’ll soon arrive at the first rest stop.

For those who climbed the steep slope of Trail 1, this rest stop is a welcome break.

They also sell snacks like dumplings and oyaki (filled buns).

There’s also a monkey park nearby.

The Giant “Octopus Cedar”

🕛 11:28 am

After passing the monkey park, you’ll soon encounter the giant “Octopus Cedar,” one of Mount Takao’s famous landmarks.

The Octopus Cedar is 37 meters tall, has a girth of 6 meters at its base, and is estimated to be about 450 years old. The unique shape of its roots gives it the name “Octopus Cedar,” as the roots look like octopus tentacles. There’s an interesting legend that the roots bent overnight to avoid being cut down during road construction.

Jōshinmon Gate at Yakuoin Temple

🕛 11:31 am

After passing the Octopus Cedar, the path is well-maintained and continues toward the entrance of Yakuoin Temple.

Soon, you’ll reach the Jōshinmon Gate, the entrance to Yakuoin Temple.

From here, you’ll walk along the temple’s approach, lined with red lanterns.

The “Man’s Path” or the “Woman’s Path”?

🕛 11:33 am

Further along the path, you’ll come across a fork in the road: left or right.

Both paths lead to the same destination, but they are quite different in their characteristics.

This is another of Mount Takao’s highlights. The steep stairway on the left is known as the “Man’s Path,” while the gentle slope on the right is called the “Woman’s Path.”

The stairway is called the 108 Steps, and true to its name, it consists of 108 steps.

It’s recommended to take the Man’s Path on the way up and the Woman’s Path on the way down, so you can experience both.

We chose to take the 108 steps up.

The 108 steps were quite a challenge. It took me 2 minutes to climb to the top.

After the stairs, the path flattens out again. Enjoy the atmosphere as you walk along, with the red lanterns adding charm to the trail.

Second Rest Stop

🕛 11:40 am

We reached the second rest stop. Time for a little break.

The dumplings at Gongen Chaya are very popular. They’re plump, fragrant, and delicious, so give them a try.

There are plenty of benches at the second rest stop, making it a comfortable place to rest.

The Giant Cedar Area

🕛 11:45 am

After leaving the second rest stop, we enter an area filled with giant cedar trees.

The towering cedars give off a divine atmosphere. Mount Takao’s cedar-lined avenue is a designated natural monument of Tokyo. Although the number of trees was reduced due to two typhoon disasters in 1959 and 1966, the remaining cedars are close to 1,000 years old, making this avenue unique in the Tokyo area.

After passing through the cedar-lined avenue, we arrive at Yakuoin Temple.

Yakuoin Temple

🕛 11:47 am

We’ve reached the main gate of Yakuoin Temple.

From here, you’ll enter the temple grounds and continue the journey through its sacred spaces.

For more information about Yakuoin Temple, click below.

After walking through Yakuoin Temple, you’ll find the stairs leading to the summit.

Path to the Summit Surrounded by Nature

🕛 12:08 am

From here, the path transitions from paved concrete to a wooden deck-like path.

This area is surrounded by nature. As you walk through the forest, you can hear the sounds of nature, which is very soothing, and it makes you feel like you’re truly hiking.

The latter part of the trail is also well-maintained.

As you continue walking, the path narrows, and you’ll feel a deeper connection with the surrounding nature.

Once you reach an open area, you’re almost at the summit.

When you see this small hut (a restroom), you’re on the home stretch.

The summit is just ahead, and you’ll climb the final slope.

Summit of Mount Takao

🕛 12:23 am

Finally, we’ve reached the summit of Mount Takao! Including the cable car ride and hiking along Trail 1, it took about one hour to reach the top.

At the summit, you’ll find people enjoying various activities—some are having picnics with packed lunches, while others are brewing coffee and relaxing in their own style.

Observation Deck

On a clear day, you can see Mount Fuji from the observation deck. Unfortunately, we couldn’t see it this time, but hopefully, you’ll catch the view on your next visit!

Takao Visitor Center

At the summit, you’ll find the Takao Visitor Center, which features exhibits and information about Mount Takao.

Yamabiko Chaya Restaurant

🕛 12:49 am

Once you’ve reached the top of Mount Takao, why not enjoy a delicious lunch? We decided to eat at Yamabiko Chaya.

You can learn more about Yamabiko Chaya by clicking below.

Starting the Descent

🕛 1:06 pm

Time to head back down! Since it’s all downhill, you’ll find yourself back at the base in no time.

Since we took the steep “Man’s Path” on the way up, we’ll descend via the gentler “Woman’s Path.”

We’ve made it back to the fork where the Man’s Path and Woman’s Path split.

🕛 1:36 pm

After walking for about 30 minutes, we’re back at Takaosan Station, where the cable car is.

🕛 1:45 pm

We board the cable car for the ride down.

Returning to the Base

🕛 1:53 pm

We’ve returned to the base of the mountain.

But our adventure isn’t over yet! Now, we’ll enjoy the main course at Takao Shopping Street.

Takahashiya Restaurant

🕛 1:55 pm

If you visit Mount Takao, there’s one restaurant you must try—Takahashiya.

Their “mugitoro-meshi” (barley and grated yam rice) is exquisite. It’s always popular, and you may have to wait in line, but it’s worth it. If you come to Mount Takao, this is a must-visit place to eat.

Enjoy Hiking, Scenery, and Delicious Food—Mount Takao is Great for Beginners!

🕛 2:41 pm

We’re back at Takaosanguchi Station.

We departed from Takaosanguchi Station at 10:37 am and returned at 2:41 pm, so the entire adventure took about four hours.

Here’s a breakdown of the hiking times:

• Ascending: 11:24 am – 12:23 am (1 hour)
• Descending: 1:06 pm – 1:45 pm (45 minutes)

Allow about one hour each way for hiking, and be sure to factor in your time at the summit for a relaxing and enjoyable trip.

Lastly, here’s a schedule of the entire day, including how much time was spent at each point. Use it as a reference for planning your own hike.

Mount Takao is a mountain that even beginners can climb, without any special gear, by using the cable car and Trail 1.

We hope you’ll come and enjoy Mount Takao soon.