How To Go Hiking In Mount Takao: 8 Trails To Explore

Looking for a nature trip that’s within 1 hour from Tokyo? Mount Takao has some hiking trails you should check out!

Mount Takao has always been a favourite because of its convenient location and the views you can get from the summit. No matter your fitness level or hiking ability, you can enjoy both the natural and cultural aspect of Mount Takao.

Aside from the different hiking trails on Mount Takao, you also get to enjoy the food, onsen, and chair lift ride. The best part is, a day trip to Mount Takao is very affordable.

In this article, I will share the 8 Mount Takao hiking trails you can consider to help you plan your visit.

Is Mount Takao easy to hike?

Yes! Mount Takao is only 599m high and it is generally considered an easy hike. The most popular hike is the Omotesando Trail, also known as Trail #1. It is well paved with gentle inclines and handlebars at most of the steps.

There are also plenty of restrooms and several food stops. This way, you don’t need too much preplanning for a day in Mount Takao.

Mount Takao Hiking Trails

There are a few trails that lead to the summit, namely trails 1, 3, 4, 6 and Iriyama Trail. The most popular one out of those is Trail 1, the Omotesando Trail. Trails 2 and 5 are small loops that focus on enjoying nature, and they are meant to be very easy.

You can either start from the bottom at Takaosanguchi station, or you can take the chair lifts and funicular (they call it cable car in Japan). These will take you halfway up to the Mount Takao summit. From there, continue your hike up to the summit.

If you are looking for a challenge, you can move on to the Mount Takao to Mount Jinba trail to explore more of the mountain range. Be sure to dress appropriately and take sufficient water and snacks along.

1. Omotesando Trail (Trail #1)

This trail has several shops, food options and temples along the way, a great way to see Mount Takao as a first-timer.

Trail difficulty: Easy

Hiking distance and duration: 3.8km one way, 100 minutes up, 80 minutes down

Starting point: Base of Mount Takao, to the right side of Kiyotaki station and Sanroku cable car station

Ending point: Mount Takao summit

Things to look out for: Mount Takao Monkey Park, Tako-sugi “octopus root” cedar tree, Yakuo-in Temple

2. Kasumidai Loop (Trail #2)

You can opt to take the chair lift or cable car up, and take a nice and simple 30-minute walk along this loop. This can also be an extension of other trails that go past the cable car station.

Trail difficulty: Very easy

Hiking distance and duration: 0.9km, 40 minutes loop

Starting point: Midway up the mountain, after the chair lift and cable car stations (Takaosan station)

Things to look out for: Mount Takao Monkey Park, wildflower garden

3. Katsura Woods Trail (Trail #3)

This trail connects from Omotesando Trail (Trail #1) or Kasumidai Loop (Trail #2) and takes you to the summit. At Joshin Gate which is after the Tako-sugi cedar tree, take the left path for the Katsura Woods Trail.

Trail difficulty: Easy

Hiking distance and duration: 2.4km one way, 60 minutes up, 50 minutes down

Starting point: Left side of Joshin Gate

Ending point: Mount Takao summit

Things to look out for: Quiet Katsura forest atmosphere with streams and oak trees

4: Suspension Bridge Trail (Trail #4)

Similar to the Katsura Woods Trail (Trail #3), the Suspension Bridge Trail (Trail #4) connects from the Omotesando Trail (Trail #1) or Kasumidai Loop (Trail #2) to the summit. To take this trail, start from the right side of the Joshin Gate after the Tako-sugi cedar tree.

Trail difficulty: Easy

Hiking distance and duration: 1.5km one way, 50 minutes up, 40 minutes down

Starting point: Right side of Joshin Gate

Ending point: Mount Takao summit

Things to look out for: Mount Takao suspension bridge, forest and wildlife sounds

5. Summit Loop Trail (Trail #5)

Once you are at the summit, you can take this easy Summit Loop Trail (Trail #5) to linger in the mountain atmosphere.

Trail difficulty: Very easy

Hiking distance and duration: 0.9km, 30 minutes

Starting point: Mount Takao summit

Things to look out for: Enjoying Mount Takao summit with other people

6. Biwa Waterfall Trail (Trail #6)

As you hike through the shaded forest along the stream, you will pass by Biwa Waterfall on your way up. You can sometimes see monks training under the flow of the waterfall, also known as waterfall asceticism. Biwa Waterfall is one of two waterfalls where this training usually occurs.

These ascetic trainings usually take place on the first Saturday of each month, as well as the 18th and 28th of each month. You are advised to call ahead to confirm if this is something you really want to see.

The amazing thing is that you may even see them training under Biwa Waterfall even in winter – talk about dedication!

Trail difficulty: Moderate

Hiking distance and duration: 3.3km one way, 90 minutes up, 70 minutes down

Starting point: Base of Mount Takao, to the left side of Kiyotaki station and Sanroku cable car station

Ending point: Mount Takao summit

Things to look out for: Ascetic training at Biwa Waterfall on certain days, and walking through the cool forest

7. Inariyama Trail

Although this trail might be more challenging, the ridge top trail views are certainly a treat for anyone who takes it on. The brave ones will also get to enjoy a relatively quieter route.

Trail difficulty: Slightly difficult

Hiking distance and duration: 3.1km one way, 90 minutes up, 70 minutes down

Starting point: Base of Mount Takao, to the left side of Kiyotaki station and Sanroku cable car station

Ending point: Mount Takao summit

Things to look out for: Ridge top views of Tokyo and beautiful maple leaves display in autumn

8. Mount Takao to Mount Jinba Trail

If the earlier trails did not satisfy your thirst for hiking in the mountains, you can take on this summit to summit trail. From Mount Takao summit, you will pass through Mount Kobotoke Shiroyama and Mount Kagenobu, to finally end at the Mount Jinba summit.

Alternatively, you could start from Mount Jinba to complete the journey at the summit of Mount Takao. You can go to Momijidai to admire maple leaves in autumn, and Itchodaira viewing cherry blossoms in spring.

If you’re looking for an even more alpine experience outside Tokyo, consider pairing your trip with a hike to Karasawa Cirque in Kamikochi, one of Japan’s most stunning mountain destinations.

Trail difficulty: Difficult

Hiking distance and duration: 15.3km one way, 5 hours 20 minutes

Starting point: Mount Takao Summit

Things to look out for: Momijidai (autumn) and Itchodaira (spring), peaceful trails

Chair Lift or Cable Car on Mount Takao

The steepest cable car in Japan is actually in Mount Takao, and it’s a fun and affordable experience to ride it. You can stand all the way at the front of the car beside the operator to feel the rush. They run on a departure interval of 15 minutes.

We didn’t get the chance to ride the chair lift, but would have loved the experience of having our legs dangle off the seat as we ascend.

If you are planning to do more hiking, you could just take the chair lift or cable car ride one way.

Chair Lift and Cable Car Fares

One way: 490 Yen for adults, 250 Yen for children
Round trio: 950 Yen for adults, 470 Yen for children

Chair Lift Operating Hours

Summer to Autumn (May to Nov): 9am to 4:30pm
Winter to Spring (Dec to Apr): 9am to 4pm

Cable Car Operating Hours

Month	First ride	Last ride	Last ride (Weekend, holidays)
Jan, Feb	08 ： 00	17 ： 15	17 ： 30
Mar	08 ： 00	17 ： 30	18 ： 00
Apr-May	08 ： 00	18 ： 00	18 ： 30
Jun	08 ： 00	17 ： 45	18 ： 00
Jul-Aug	08 ： 00	18 ： 00	18 ： 30
Sep-Nov	08 ： 00	17 ： 45	18 ： 00
Dec	08 ： 00	17 ： 15	17 ： 30

Updated Aug 2023

How to get to Mount Takao from Tokyo

The easiest way to get to Mount Takao is via Shinjuku Station, taking the direct Keio Line Special Express train for Takaosanguchi station. When we were going to Mount Takao, Google Maps was telling us to take the Limited Express, but I believe they meant the Special Express instead. The whole journey from Shinjuku to Takaosanguchi stations costs 390 Yen each way.

Discount Tickets

Keio 1-Day + Cable Car and Chairlift + Attractions

You can also purchase a discount ticket which includes the Keio Line and Inokashira Line tickets and round trip Mount Takao cable car/chairlift tickets. It also give you access to the Mount Takao Monkey Park and wildflower garden. There are additional side perks, so you can check them out here.

Mount Takao Discount Ticket

Alternatively the Mount Takao discount ticket gives you 20% off the train ride and cable car/chairlift rides. For example, if you are coming from Shinjuku the discount ticket will cost 1,390 Yen for the cable car/ chairlift round trip.

Relax at Takaosan Onsen Gokurakuyu

Finally, you can end the day by using the public onsen at Takaosan Onsen Gokurakuyu, located near the Takaosanguchi station. It is open from 8am to 10:45pm (last admission at 10pm). However, if you have tattoos you will not be allowed to use the onsen.

Entrance fees:

Weekday: 1,100 Yen for adults, 550 for children
Weekend/holidays/peak season: 1,300 Yen for adults, 650 for children

Peak season period is usually specified by the onsen staff, though they have listed these on their website.

December 29 – January 3
Golden Week
Mid-August
November 1 – 30

There are also dining, massage and private tatami rooms available (at an additional cost) to make your visit as enjoyable as possible.

Mount Takao Tours

If you are interested in these Mount Takao trails but are not keen to plan it on your own, check out this Full Day Hiking Tour at Mt.Takao including Hot Spring. You can discuss with the guide to let them know which of the trails you’re interested to hike. In addition, they can stop to give you explanations about the cultural significance and to highlight wildlife sightings.

What to eat at Mount Takao after hiking the trails

On a hot summer day, shaved ice and ice cream will be your friend. What a great treat to have after a day of hiking! You can find stores selling ice cream as you explore the town before heading back to Tokyo.

There are also food shops near the train station as well on Mount Takao. As you are coming back from the summit, you can head into a local soba and udon store.

We came across Juitchome Chaya and really loved the grated yam topping on the soup. The restaurant also has terraces and windows that allow you to see across the other side of the mountain. It is also a convenient stop for people who want to buy dango and coffee for takeout.

In any case, you can also bring your own snacks as there are picnic tables at the summit. We saw many locals boiling water to cook instant noodles. The smell was too good, we wished we had done the same.

Love Japan? Check out other ideas here!

How To Go Hiking In Mount Takao: 8 Trails To Explore

Is Mount Takao easy to hike?