Very good for those who like hiking and it is not difficult. I started on route 1 and halfway through I switched to route 4 to see the bridge. At the top, as it was a good day, I could see Mount Fuji. On the way down I went on route 6.
It was amazing.. u first go up with a cable car to half way and then u walk the other half, it was so beautiful and relaxing. U can take different tracks throughout the mountain wich take u trough more of the forest and more nature. Would recommend good shoes and alot of water since the way up is steep and Some stairs. Once u reach the top is was so worth it you have an amazing view with even view of mt. Fuji. On the pas you can find different snacks if there is one thing I recommend its the cheese tarts I would go back just for those :) the way down is very steep so be carefull and go sightsee throughout the forest u have alot of paths u can take I really loved them.
Mount Takao is easy to access and relatively manageable to climb. The scenery along the way and the view at the top is well worth the couple of hours you will spend hiking up the mountain. You can see Mount Fuji from here on a clear day. There are six different trails to choose from, ranging from very accessible to "you're going to get wet and muddy". Check them out beforehand to best prepare for your trip!
Mount Takao is a relatively popular hiking/tourist spot. We got up early to hike the mountain and there were already a lot of people but it didn’t feel too crowded as people were constantly moving.
There are different route that you can take depending on your experience, some easier than others. Their helpful infographic shows you both the difficulty of the route as well as the time required to climb the route and back.
We took the chair lift up which cost us about 950 yen for a two-way trip per pax. I believe we hiked through trail 1 which passes through the Yakuoin temple. Within 1-2 hours, we managed to reach the top of the mountain so it was relatively quick. We then took another hour to trek down before taking the chair lift back to bottom ground.
There is a curry rice shop at the summit of the mountain. Although the curry rice is a bit expensive and the portions were small, I still enjoyed it. There is also a souvenir shop at the top.
You do not need the entire day to hike Mount Takao so plan your itinerary for afternoon and evening. At the summit of Mount Takao, there is another route called the Takao-Jimba Trail which would lead you to Mount Jimba and takes an estimated 5 hours 20 mins to complete (One way). I did not partake in that hike however so I can’t comment much on it.
Overall, hiking Mount Takao was a nice exercise and a breath of fresh air for me. It feels more of tourist spot rather than a hiking spot but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Pleasant mountain hikes, with Shrines and beautiful views. An easy way to get out of the city and enjoy nature. Excellent facilities. Outstanding train connection from Shinjuku. Some of trails require agility and fitness but the main trails are paved.
