Mt.Takao
Only one-hour trip from the center of metropolis, the top above 600 meters from the sea level provides the panoramic scenery of mountains of Chichibu, Nikko and Tanzawa, high-rise buildings in the center of metropolis and Mt. Fuji. Mt.Takao, protected specially as the state forest, is covered with the natural forests mixed with tall, old aged coniferous and broad-leaved trees which remain as it were in ancient time. Ascending by the cable car or sight seeing lift on the steepest slope in Japan gives the view of Mt.Takao Yakuoin Temple, Monkeys' Paradise and Wild Plants Garden. Also, the six hiking courses of different themes provides the varied season-to-season nature for a whole-day enjoyment.
Access
Transfer to Keio Line at JR Takao Station and get off at Keio Takao-san-guchi Station.
Shizen-kenkyu-Ro (Hiking Courses for Study of Nature)
Mt.Takao, covered with rich green, is endowed with splendid nature. Visitors are able to walk in the mountain by themselves and feel the nature directly.
There are six hiking courses for study of nature, classified by different themes. With the explanatory board in each course,a lot can be learned from nature by hiking.
Guide Map
The 1st Trail (Omote-sando Course) "The Nature of Mt.Takao"
From the foot to the top of mountain is the Omote-sando, that is, the front approach to the gateway of Yakuoin Temple. It is a cuise choice to know the ample nature of Mt.Takao by walking Course1with broad width. There are many big trees where flying squirrels nest, which can be seen at night.
(Distance: 3.8 km/approx. 90 min.)
The 2nd Trail (Kasumidai Loop Course) "The forest of Mt.Takao"
This course guides around the north and the south slopes with typical natural forests of Mt.Takao. Evergreen broad-leaved trees, with oaks mainly on the south slope and deciduous broad-leaved trees, with Inu-buna (a sort of Japanese beech) as the most part, on the north slope can be observed.
(Distance: 0.9km/approx. 30min.)
The 3rd Trail (Katsura-bayashi Course) "The Vegetation of Mt.Takao"
Winding on the south slope, up to the top, this course goes through the woods of evergreen broad-leaved trees (the trees are also called gloss-leaved trees as the surface of the leaves are glossy), many of them are oaks and Yabu-tsubaki trees (a sort of camellia tree). The spot is comparatively warm even in wintertime and a variety of birds are observable, such as bulbuls, Japanese white-eyes, etc, who come to suckle honey of Yabu-tsubaki blossoms.
(Distance: 2.4km/approx. 60min.)
The 4th Trail (Tsuribashi Course) "Forest and Animals"
Winding on the north slope, the course goes through woods of the deciduous broad-leaved trees such as Japanese beech as the most part of it, and beech, aka-shide and maple. Seasonal change in climate is great here. There is also a suspension bridge. Singing of blue-and-white flycatchers and black thrushes can be heard in early summer, when the woods display fresh green.
(Distance :1.5km /approx.45 min.)
The 5th Trail (Sancho Loop Course) "Human Being and Nature"
The course goes around near the mountaintop, and there are planted woods of kunugi (a kind of oaks), konara (Japanese oak), kashiwa (a kind of oaks), Japanese cedar called edo-sugi, Japanese cypress, and katsura tree. Though it is so-called man-madenature, wild animals and plants are making a good life there.
(Distance: 0.9km/approx. 30 min.)
The 6th Trail (Biwa-taki Waterfall Course) "Forest and Water"
At Biwa-taki Waterfall, there may be seen a water ascetic sometimes. The course goes along the narrow valleys where creatures living in water could be observed. Various kinds of rocks, sandstone, faultect, of which Mt.Takao is composed, could be observed at the place of their cropping out, and also the Biwa-taki Waterfall, rare plants as chidorinoki and hanaikada and plenty ferns.
(Distance:3.3km/approx. 90 min.)
Cable Car
Operated on the steepest slope (31 degrees 18 min.) in Japan. Time needed to go up or down - approximately 5 minutes.
For further information about cable car, please contact
Takao Tozan Dentetsu
042-661-4151
Inquiries for the information on this page
International Exchange Section, Resident Activities Promotion Division
Tel：042-620-7437 Fax：042-626-0253