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 in Tokyo: Highlights,... - Trip To Japan

Takaosan Cable Car Kiyotaki Station

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Last updated Apr 8, 2026

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.