• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Tiny Urban Kitchen
  • About Me
  • Travel
  • Recipes
  • Michelin
  • Subscribe
  • Taiwanese
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About Me
  • Travel
  • Recipes
  • Michelin
  • Subscribe
  • Taiwanese
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About Me
    • Travel
    • Recipes
    • Michelin
    • Subscribe
    • Taiwanese
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » World Travel

    Hiking Mount Takao (Takao-San}) Japan

    Published: Oct 2, 2016 · Modified: Nov 28, 2017 by Jennifer Che

    Hiking Mount Takao Japan
    Hiking Mount Takao Japan

    This is the twenty-fourth post in the Around the World Birthday Extravaganza Series and the first post in Japan! Please scroll to the bottom to see all the other posts in this series.

    It’s been my wish forever to hike and enjoy fall foliage on my birthday. Hiking is one of my favorite activities, and I always try to do something I love on my birthday. Unfortunately, my birthday falls in November, which means (at least here in Boston), it’s really cold outside, the sun sets super early, and the leaves have long fallen off the trees.

    So I never get to go hiking.
    Hiking Mount Takao Japan
    This past year, for the first time, we were not in Boston on my birthday. Instead, as part of this crazy Around the World Birthday Extravaganza, we were traveling through Italy, France, Japan, and Hong Kong.

    In Tokyo, fall foliage peaks in November. Finally, for the first time in my life, I would be able to hike for my birthday, as well as be in one of my favorite countries in the world.

    Mount Takao Japan
    Climbers hiking Mount Takao Japan

    I chose Mount Takao, a fun, popular hiking spot that is located about 50 minutes from Tokyo via train (390 yen).Mount Takao Japan
    Once you get off the train stop (Takaosan guchi), it's a super short walk to the entrance of the park.
    Mount Takao Japan
    Takaosanguchi start of Trail 1
    There are 8 trails that go up. The most popular is trail number 1, the only one that is completely paved. If you don't want to climb, you can also take a funicular train that stops at various stations on the way up. Some people do a mixture, like choosing to take the tram up and then climbing down.
    Japan-21.jpg Mount Takao Japan
    Despite the fact that the trail is completely paved, it is quite a strenuous climb!  The road is very steep at certain points and there are long stairways. You will most certainly get winded!

    On the way up, you'll see tons of gorgeous views of Tokyo in the distance.
    Mount Takao Japan
    It's not just a hiking site, though. Mount Takao has been considered a sacred mountain for over 1000 years. Yakuoin is a huge Shinto-Buddhist temple at the top, and many people visit to pay their respects to the mountain gods.
    Mount Takao Japan
    You can see statues, temples, and many other religious objects.
    Mount Takao Japan
    Mount Takao Japan
    Near the top, vendors sell all sorts of fun “street” snacks.Japan-19.jpg
    Free hot tea!
    Mount Takao Japan
    Love this - grilled mochi on a stick! (also known as dango)
    Mount Takao Japan
    Yum!
    Japan-8.jpg Hiking Mount Takao Japan
    The whole hike is just beautiful.
    Mount Takao Japan
    The best part is that on a clear day, you can get a really good view of Mt. Fuji.
    Hiking Mount Takao Japan
    When we went at the end of November, fall foliage was just starting but had not yet peaked. It was still beautiful though, and I enjoyed it immensely.
    Japan-13.jpg
    You can do the roundtrip hike in about 2- 3 hours, but I would give more time if you want the flexibility to wander around the shops, visit the temples, and taste some of the food from the various vendors. You could even have lunch up there at one of the restaurants.
    Hiking Mount Takao Japan
    I really enjoyed the hike. I loved how hiking Mt. Takao encompassed a nice mix of nature (views of Mt. Fuji and lots of foliage), city (amazing views of Tokyo!), culture (temples and statues), and food (street snacks!). Getting a really good workout was a bonus!
    Japan-12.jpg Hiking Mount Takao Japan
    Bonus! Totoro was at the bottom of the mountain. 🙂
    Hiking Mount Takao Japan

    All Posts In This Series
    Around the World Birthday Extravaganza
    Alba White Truffle Fair
    Osteria Dei Sognatori - A Traditional Piedmontese Dinner
    Italy Wine Tour - Barbaresco
    Lunch at Donna Selvatica in Neive, Italy
    Dinner at a Truffle Hunter's Inn - Tra Art e Querce
    G.D.Vajra Winery
    Trattoria Della Posta in Montfort D'Alba
    Nighttime Truffle Hunting with a Dog in Alba
    Osteria della Arco - last dinner in Alba
    Stunning Images of La Morra and Barolo, Italy
    First Day In Bordeaux, France - Une Cuisine en Ville
    Chateau Haut-Brion Tour in Bordeaux France
    Restaurant Le St. James
    Touring Bordeaux Wineries - Day 1 - Left Bank
    La Tupina, Bordeaux (traditional French dinner)
    Cos d'Estournel Tour
    Touring Bordeaux - Pauillac, Chateau Lynch-Bages
    Chateau Cordeillan-Bages
    A Different Paris
    Le Relais de l'Entrecote
    Pirouette Paris
    L'Ambroisie Paris
    L'Arpege

    More World Travel

    • Wing Restaurant Hong Kong
      Wing Restaurant by Vicky Cheng
    • Hotel Excelsior San Marco Roof Garden Restaurant Bergamo
      A Weekend in Bergamo Italy - Trip Report
    • Otto e Mezzo Bombana
      Bryan's Birthday at 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana
    • Godenya Hong Kong
      Godenya Hong Kong

    Recent Posts

    • Wing Restaurant by Vicky Cheng May 22, 2023
    • A Weekend in Bergamo Italy - Trip Report May 17, 2023
    • Bryan's Birthday at 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana May 10, 2023
    • Godenya Hong Kong May 8, 2023
    • Chung Kee - Lockhart Cooked Food Centre Wan Chai May 6, 2023
    • Fiata Pizza Hong Kong May 3, 2023
    • 48 Hours in Warsaw Poland - Trip Report May 1, 2023
    • A Month in Boston: our first post-Covid Trip April 28, 2023

    Reader Interactions

    Trackbacks

    1. Azabu Kadowaki (麻布) - Tiny Urban Kitchen says:
      October 21, 2016 at 1:25 am

      […] A Different Paris Le Relais de l’Entrecote Pirouette Paris L’Ambroisie Paris Hiking at Mount Takao in Japan Florilege Sushi Harutaka Rokurinsha […]

      Log in to Reply
    2. Sushi Ya Tokyo (すし家) - Tiny Urban Kitchen says:
      October 27, 2016 at 10:23 pm

      […] A Different Paris Le Relais de l’Entrecote Pirouette Paris L’Ambroisie Paris Hiking at Mount Takao in Japan Florilege Sushi Harutaka Rokurinsha ramen breakfast (六厘舎) Azabu Kadowaki Nakameguro Iguchi […]

      Log in to Reply
    3. Nakameguro Iguchi yakitori (中目黒いぐち) - Tiny Urban Kitchen says:
      October 27, 2016 at 10:27 pm

      […] A Different Paris Le Relais de l’Entrecote Pirouette Paris L’Ambroisie Paris Hiking at Mount Takao in Japan Florilege Sushi […]

      Log in to Reply
    4. Tim Ho Wan Hong Kong (Central Station) - Tiny Urban Kitchen says:
      November 29, 2016 at 8:48 am

      […] A Different Paris Le Relais de l’Entrecote Pirouette Paris L’Ambroisie Paris Hiking at Mount Takao in Japan Florilege Sushi Harutaka Rokurinsha ramen breakfast (六厘舎) Azabu Kadowaki Nakameguro Iguchi […]

      Log in to Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Jennifer Che Tiny Urban Kitchen
    Jennifer Che Tiny Urban Kitchen

    Hi, my name's Jen and welcome to my cooking, eating, and travel site! I am an expat who moved from Boston to Hong Kong 5 years ago. Born and raised in Ohio to Taiwanese immigrant parents, I am a chemistry nerd, patent attorney by day, blogger by night, church musician on weekends, and food enthusiast always. Feel free to explore away, maybe starting with the Recipe Index or one of the travel pages! I hope you enjoy this site!

    More about me →

    Explore

    • Recipe
    • Restaurant
    • US Travel
    • World Travel

    Popular Posts

    • Chung Kee Wan Chai - Lockhart Cooked Food Centre
      Chung Kee - Lockhart Cooked Food Centre Wan Chai
    • Fiata Pizza Hong Kong
      Fiata Pizza Hong Kong
    • Warsaw, Poland
      48 Hours in Warsaw Poland - Trip Report
    • A Month in Boston: our first post-Covid Trip

    Recipes

    • Appetizer
    • Snacks
    • Meat
    • Vegetables
    • Soup
    • Salad
    • Seafood
    • Noodles

    Recently Traveled

    • Hong Kong
    • France
    • Belgium
    • Boston
    • California
    • United Kingdom
    • Germany
    • Spain

    Support Us

    Recognition


    Featured on the front page
    of the FOOD Section: 2015

    Best Food Blog Awards:
    Restaurant & Dining 2012

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • My Equipment
    • In the Press
    • Project Food Blog
    • Privacy Policy

    Eating Guides!

    Eating & Travel Guides
    Trip Reports
    "Kawaii" (Cute Foods)
    Around the World

    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • YouTube
    • Mail
    • RSS Feed

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Shop at Amazon

    Copyright © 2022 Tiny Urban Kitchen