Mount Takao Adventure: Discover Nature and Tradition in Tokyo
English
7 hours and 40 minutes
(7)
A full-day tour from Shinjuku led by a local English-speaking guide, hiking Mount Takao with stops at the nature museum, Monkey Park, suspension bridge, cedar tree avenue, Yakuoin Temple, and the summit. Return train tickets, cable car, Monkey Park admission, and a dango snack are all included.
Return Train Tickets from Shinjuku Station to Takaosanguchi Station
Meet your guide outside the Happy Lemon store in the Keio Department Store at Shinjuku Station, directly outside the Keio Line entrance. Look for a Snow Monkey Resorts tour tag. Once the group has assembled, the guide will lead everyone into the station to board the 09:46 train to Takaosanguchi.
2
2435-3 Takaomachi, Hachioji, Tokyo
Duration: 30 minutes
Arrive at Takaosanguchi Station and walk 3 minutes to the Takao 599 Nature Museum. The museum provides an introduction to the wildlife, plants, and animals found on Mount Takao. Your guide will cover the natural and cultural significance of the mountain before the ascent begins.
3
2179 Takaomachi, Hachioji, Tokyo
Duration: 40 minutes
Arrive at the halfway point and visit the Monkey Park and Wildflower Garden. The park is home to approximately 70 Japanese Macaques living in a semi-natural environment on the mountain. Your guide will explain their social structures and behavior. Guests have the opportunity to feed the monkeys during the visit.
4
2177 Takaomachi, Hachioji, Tokyo
Duration: 40 minutes
Continue along the trail to the Mount Takao suspension bridge. The walk takes approximately 15 minutes each way. The bridge is a popular spot for photos and walking across.
5
Takaomachi, Hachioji, Tokyo
Duration: 25 minutes
Return to the main trail and walk through the ancient cedar tree avenue, where the towering trees lining the path are considered sacred. Your guide will explain their history and significance. A short rest stop is taken here, during which your guide will provide freshly made dango — traditional glutinous rice dumplings on a skewer — for the group to try.
6
2177 Takaomachi, Hachioji, Tokyo
Duration: 45 minutes
Continue to Yakuoin Temple, a Buddhist temple founded in 744 during the Nara period and dedicated to Izuna Daigongen, a deity associated with mountain worship and protection. The temple is known for its prominent Tengu statues — mythical mountain guardian figures — and is a popular site for prayers for safety, health, and good fortune.
7
Takaomachi, Hachioji, Tokyo
Duration: 45 minutes
Make the final 20-minute climb to the summit of Mount Takao. At the top, guests have 45 minutes of free time for lunch, rest, and photos. The summit café serves freshly prepared noodle dishes. Guests are also welcome to bring a packed picnic.
8
Takaomachi, Hachioji, Tokyo
Walk approximately 20 minutes back to the cable car station and board the next available car at approximately 15:30. Arrive back at the base and walk to Takaosanguchi Station to board the 16:07 train back to Shinjuku, arriving at approximately 16:57.
Shinjuku City, Tokyo
Arrive back at Shinjuku Station, where the tour concludes. Your guide will assist with any transport questions for onward journeys.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mount Fuji is visible from the summit of Mount Takao on clear days. Visibility depends entirely on weather conditions and cannot be guaranteed. Clear days are more common during autumn and winter months within the tour's operating season.
Lunch is not included. A 45-minute break is provided at the summit, where the summit café serves freshly prepared noodle dishes. Guests are also welcome to bring their own packed picnic to enjoy at the top.
Sturdy walking shoes are essential for the mountain trails. Layered clothing is recommended as temperatures on the mountain can be cooler than in central Tokyo. A rain jacket or umbrella is advisable regardless of the forecast. In autumn and winter, warm clothing is recommended as summit temperatures can drop significantly.
Large luggage and oversized bags are not suitable for this hiking tour. Guests are advised to store luggage at their hotel or at a locker in a nearby station before joining. Lockers are available at Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Ueno, and Tokyo Station.
A breath of fresh air away from the buzzing cities
I was pleasantly surprised and amazed by the breathtaking views and sceneries along the way while hiking up the Mount Takao. Jeff was very professional and thoughtful in personalised the trip to suit the needs of the tour members. He is very knowledgeable about the history and culture of Japan and I learnt a lot about Japan during this trip. Jeff also provided some recommendations and tips that only locals might know. Thanks to Jeff, we we were able to get a glimpse of Mount Fuji and got plenty of photos taken. I don't think I will be able to this trip by myself without the the guide (Jeff) from this tour.
Zhao
February 4, 2026
Fun escape from Tokyo
My tour guide Jeff was amazing and explained all the history in great detail. Would recommend Jeff to anyone looking to leave the city for a day trip and see some beautiful nature in the mountains.
Grant A
March 11, 2026
Zhao
February 4, 2026
A breath of fresh air away from the buzzing cities
I was pleasantly surprised and amazed by the breathtaking views and sceneries along the way while hiking up the Mount Takao. Jeff was very professional and thoughtful in personalised the trip to suit the needs of the tour members. He is very knowledgeable about the history and culture of Japan and I learnt a lot about Japan during this trip. Jeff also provided some recommendations and tips that only locals might know. Thanks to Jeff, we we were able to get a glimpse of Mount Fuji and got plenty of photos taken. I don't think I will be able to this trip by myself without the the guide (Jeff) from this tour.
Grant A
March 11, 2026
Fun escape from Tokyo
My tour guide Jeff was amazing and explained all the history in great detail. Would recommend Jeff to anyone looking to leave the city for a day trip and see some beautiful nature in the mountains.
