Mount Takao Hiking Day Trip Course

About an hour from Shinjuku on the Keio Line, Mount Takao is easy to climb, and this day-trip course lets you enjoy it over a full day. It suits beginner hikers, families, and anyone who wants to immerse in nature. Using the cable car makes it manageable even if you are not confident in your stamina. The route takes about six hours in total.

Course Route

9:00 Start at Takaosanguchi Station Arrive at Keio Takaosanguchi Station and set off after getting your gear ready. From Shinjuku the limited express takes about 50 minutes, with an IC fare of around 430 yen. There are shops and eateries near the station, plus a hot spring facility attached to it.

9:30 Cable Car to the Midpoint About a five-minute walk from the station, Kiyotaki Station is where you board the cable car, which climbs Japan steepest gradient to Takaosan Station at 472 meters in roughly six minutes. The fare is about 490 yen one way or 950 yen round trip, and the parallel Eco Lift chairlift is also available.

10:00 Walk Trail No. 1 (the Main Approach) Follow the paved main approach from Takaosan Station, passing sights such as cedar avenues, the famous Tako-sugi tree, and the area near the monkey park. A viewpoint along the way opens up toward central Tokyo.

10:45 Visit Yakuoin Temple Pay respects at this temple on the mountainside, with roughly 1,200 years of history, and take in the distinctive atmosphere with its tengu statues. The approach steps and vermilion halls are highlights.

11:30 Head for the Summit The path from Yakuoin to the summit is a gentle climb of about 20 to 30 minutes through tree-lined trails. Choosing the low-step Fujido path makes the walk even easier.

12:00 Lunch and Views at the Summit Reach the summit at 599 meters. On clear days with crisp air, enjoy a boxed lunch with a stunning view of Mount Fuji. There are shops and restrooms at the top.

13:30 Begin the Descent Take a different route down from the way up to enjoy fresh scenery. You can choose the Inariyama course through natural forest or Trail No. 6 along a stream, to suit your stamina and taste (the streamside path can be slippery, so watch your footing).

15:00 Hot Spring and a Meal at the Base Ease your tiredness at Keio Takaosan Onsen Gokurakuyu, right next to Takaosanguchi Station. With open-air baths and a sauna, it is the ideal way to round off a day of hiking.

Highlights

• Views of the steep slopes and mountain scenery from the cable car
• Sights along Trail No. 1 such as cedar avenues and the Tako-sugi
• The unique world of Yakuoin, with some 1,200 years of history, and its tengu statues
• The stunning view of Mount Fuji from the 599-meter summit
• A refreshing hot spring next to the station after the descent

Access and Tips

• Takaosanguchi Station is about 50 minutes from Shinjuku on the Keio Line limited express, with no transfers
• Use the cable car (Kiyotaki to Takaosan Station, about six minutes) or the Eco Lift depending on your stamina
• Several trails, including No. 1, the Inariyama course, and No. 6, let you choose a route to suit your goals
• Do not forget easy-walking shoes, drinks, and rain gear
• On autumn and fresh-green weekends the cable car draws long lines, so start early

Practical Travel Notes

• Total time is roughly six hours, and using the cable car keeps actual walking to about three or four hours.
• Best season and start time: comfortable in early-summer greenery or autumn color, with clear winter days appealing for Fuji views. To avoid crowds, a start around 9:00 is ideal.
• Avoiding crowds: autumn foliage weekends bring long cable-car queues. A weekday, an early start, or walking up the Inariyama course cuts the wait.
• Budget sense: the trails themselves are free. Costs are the round-trip train (about 430 yen each way from Shinjuku), the cable car (980 yen round trip for adults), lunch, and the hot spring, for roughly 3,000 to 5,000 yen a day.
• Rainy-day and stamina options: on a wet day, the paved Trail No. 1 is easier and safer. If short on energy, take the cable car both ways and focus on visiting Yakuoin for a lighter plan.

A Quick Tip

Mount Takao is easy to climb yet the summit view is the real thing. Take the cable car without overdoing it and enjoy a boxed lunch and the view at the top at a relaxed pace. For Mount Fuji, a clear winter day with crisp air gives you the best odds. Adding the station-side hot spring after the descent makes for a deeply satisfying day.