Takaosan Cable Car Kiyotaki Station

The Takaosan Cable Car Kiyotaki Station serves as the lower terminal of Japan's steepest cable car railway, located at the base of Mount Takao in Hachioji, Tokyo. Opened in 1927, this historic funicular has been transporting visitors up the sacred mountain for nearly a century. The cable car system was built to provide easier access to the mountain's temples and natural trails, replacing the arduous climb that pilgrims once made entirely on foot. The line connects Kiyotaki Station at an elevation of approximately 201 meters to Takaosan Station near the summit, covering a distance of 1,020 meters in about 6 minutes.

Mount Takao itself holds profound cultural significance as a center of mountain worship and home to Yakuoin Temple, a Buddhist temple with over 1,200 years of history. The mountain is considered sacred in the Shugendo tradition and attracts over 2.6 million visitors annually, making it one of the most visited mountains in the world. The surrounding area is part of the Meiji no Mori Takao Quasi-National Park and features rich biodiversity with over 1,600 species of plants and numerous hiking trails ranging from easy paved paths to challenging forest routes.

The cable car experience offers dramatic views as it ascends at Japan's steepest gradient of 31 degrees and 18 minutes. The two cars, named "Aoba" and "Wakaba," pass each other at the midpoint of the journey. From the upper station, visitors can access multiple hiking trails, observation points, a monkey park, and the temple complex. The area is particularly popular during autumn foliage season and cherry blossom season, though the mountain offers year-round appeal with seasonal festivals and natural beauty.

Kiyotaki Station is easily accessible from central Tokyo via the Keio Line. Take the Keio Line from Shinjuku Station to Takaosanguchi Station, which takes approximately 50 minutes by express train. From Takaosanguchi Station, the cable car station is a 5-minute walk. The cable car operates daily with frequent departures, typically every 15 minutes during standard periods and more frequently during peak seasons. A one-way ticket costs ¥500 for adults and ¥250 for children, while round-trip tickets are ¥950 for adults and ¥470 for children. An alternative chairlift operates on a parallel route for those seeking a more open-air experience at the same price.