Mt Takao is the 599m forested mountain on Tokyo’s western edge — 1 hour direct from Shinjuku on the Keio Line. Eight numbered hiking trails (1 to 8) range from a 90-minute paved trail with cable-car shortcut to a 4-hour back-country traverse. The top has Yakuoin Temple (founded 744 AD), Tokyo Bay views on clear days, and a beer station at 460m altitude.
What to Expect
The most-walked option: Trail 1 (Omotesando) — paved, 90 minutes top-to-summit, with the option to take the cable car or chairlift up the first 460m and walk the remaining 140m. Halfway up: Yakuoin Temple, a Shingon temple where the local tengu (mountain spirit) is venerated. Bronze tengu statues line the approach.
The summit (599m) has Mt Fuji views on clear winter days. Below the summit at 462m: the famous Mt Takao Beer Mount, an open-air beer garden running mid-June to mid-October. Trails 6 and 4 are the off-paved alternatives for those wanting a real hike.
Consider This Instead
For a more remote and longer mountain day-trip closer to a wilderness feel, head to Mt Mitake (929m, 2 hours from Shinjuku) — Musashi-Mitake shrine on the summit, fewer day-trippers, and the option of multi-hour traverses to Mt Otake. Mt Takao is the easy option; Mt Mitake is the proper hike.
How to Get There
Getting There
- 1Take Keio Line direct to Takaosanguchi → Takaosanguchi Station (Mt Takao base)
- 2Walk to trail head → Trail 1 entrance
- 1Take JR Chuo Rapid Line → Takao Station
- 2Transfer to Keio Takao Line → Takaosanguchi
Tips
- Mid-November koyo is peak. The maples on the upper trails go fully red; weekday morning before 09:00 beats the 100,000+ weekend crowd.
- Cable car cuts the climb in half. ¥490 one-way; round-trip ¥950. Save the legs for the upper 140m.
- Beer Mount mid-June to mid-October. 17:00–21:00 daily; nomihodai (all-you-can-drink) ¥4,000 plus food.
- Pair with Mt Mitake another day. Different mountain, different experience; Takao is easy, Mitake is the proper hike.
FAQ
Mt Takao or Mt Fuji for a Tokyo day-trip?
Mt Takao if you want a same-day forest hike with shrine + beer + summit views (¥430 transport, 1 hr). Mt Fuji if you want the iconic peak — but it’s 2 hours each way and only climbable mid-July to mid-September. Most travellers do Mt Takao.
Which trail is best?
Trail 1 (paved, 90 min) for first-timers and families. Trail 6 (Biwa-taki, off-paved, waterfall, 100 min) for a more wild feel. Trail 4 (suspension bridge, 80 min) for the most varied scenery.
Do I need hiking gear?
Trail 1 paved: sneakers fine. Trails 4/6 unpaved: hiking shoes recommended. Cable car works year-round; chairlift only in fair weather.
