A fun day trip out of Tokyo to Mount Takao

If you’re living in Tokyo and you want to get some fresh air and leave the hustle and bustle of the city, we definitely recommend you to visit Mount Takao.

Mount Takao (高尾山, Takaosan) is one of the closest natural recreation areas to central Tokyo. If you’re into landscape, temples and of course, hiking, it’s just an hour or so away and one of the easiest day trips you can try. Standing 599 meters above sea level, Mount Takao has several well-marked trails that adventure-seekers can try. However, you can also explore the scenery by taking the cable car and chair lift leading halfway up the mountain.

As you go up, traces of religious history would unfold. Considered a sacred mountain, visitors pray at Yakuoin, a temple near the summit. There are statues of gods, all over the mountain and if you’re lucky enough to visit the temple on a less crowded day, you’d be able to take great photos of the statues and the beautiful surroundings. However, due to its proximity to the city, expect it to be crowded on weekends and holidays.

After a long hike and hours of taking pictures, there are souvenir shops and restaurants around the area where you can relax and rest before going back to the city.

© Japan Today