Where is Kiyotaki Station and how do I get there?

Kiyotaki Station is at the base of Mount Takao in Hachioji, Tokyo. Take the Keio Line from Shinjuku to Takaosanguchi Station (50 minutes), then walk 5 minutes to the cable car station.

What are the operating hours and ticket prices?

Operating hours are typically 8:00 AM to 5:00-6:00 PM depending on season. Round-trip tickets cost approximately 950 yen (adults) and 470 yen (children). One-way tickets are 490 yen (adults) and 250 yen (children).

How long is the cable car ride?

The ride takes 6 minutes, covers 872 meters, and climbs 271 meters in elevation at a maximum gradient of 31 degrees 18 minutes.

Are there alternatives to the cable car?

A chairlift runs on a parallel route and takes 12 minutes. You can also hike up via several trails, with Trail 1 taking about 90 minutes to the summit.

What facilities are at Kiyotaki Station?

Kiyotaki Station offers ticket counters, restrooms, and a small waiting area for passengers. There are also souvenir shops and food vendors in the surrounding area where you can purchase refreshments, local specialties, and Mount Takao merchandise. The station area serves as a hub where you can gather information about hiking trails, obtain maps, and plan your Mount Takao adventure before heading up the mountain.

Takaosan Cable Car Kiyotaki Station

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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.

What other travelers are saying about Takaosan Cable Car Kiyotaki Station

Great views going up Takao-san, and it is said to be the steepest cable car in Japan No issues aside from the crowds. Best to be there as early as you can as the lines can be long. We arrived at one of the first trains and we still waited about 30mins. Same wait on our way back at around 1pm You can pay via credit card from the queue but best to get the tocket ahead of time

Ajilex Fajardo

Nov 23, 2025

11/21/2025 Took the chair lift on a weekday. It was crowded but it was lovely waiting and enjoying the beauty of momiji Took the cable car on our way back . It was beautiful . I recommend to buy the round trip ticket to save time from lining up again to purchase one.

This whole cable car and hiking experience is magnificent! Definitely pick a clear day so you can be stunned by the view of Mt Fuji! (Also, note that the chair lift was closed in early February 2025 for a few months of inspection but the cable cars are running). I enjoyed the suspension bridge on the way down too (you have to take an alternate trail to experience that).

This is a wonderful half-day-out from Tokyo, by train only. Great walks on the mountain, lovely views, nature at its best and good trail-marking. Also - food stalls and toilets, as expected in Japan.

That day we were blessed with cozy weather. In the 45-minute-long queue, we indulged in a quick lunch of piping hot, baked and creamy chestnuts to stave off hunger. As the cable car ascended, the panoramic view outside the windows transformed into a mesmerizing spectacle of Japanese maple hues. Brilliant shades of orange-yellow, virtually crimson and lively lime green dramatically alter the landscape, creating a breathtaking scene that evolves with each increase in altitude.