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Situated in western
Tokyo and at the eastern edge of the Kanto
Mountain Range, Mount Takao (Mt. Takao) is only
sixty minutes ride from the center of the Tokyo
Metropolis and it is regarded as a sacred
mountain. The center of people's worship is
Yakuoin Temple which is positioned on the
mountainside. Yakuoin Temple was established
according to Emperor Shomu's order in 744 and
worshippers has gone to this temple for more
than 1,200 years.
Another symbolic
figure of Mt. Takao is Tengu, a long nosed
mythical figure, believed to be a deified image
of a man who mastered rigorous disciplinary
practice in the mountains and attained magical
and spiritual power. Ascetic devotees in
religious practice can be seen standing under a
waterfall, between April and October, at the
Biwadaki Falls and Hebi-daki Falls. From the
foot of Mt. Takao to the 600 meters high mountain
top, there are seven well-maintained courses
with diverse themes. An easier option other than
climbing the mountain is using the cable car or
lift which will bring you halfway to the top.
Other attractions
include the Takao-san Natural Zoo and Botanical
Garden near the Cable Car Takao-san Station
whereby free running monkeys will greet you. Mt.
Takao has been designated as the Meiji-no-mori
Takao Quasi-National Park.
How to get
around in Mount Takao
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Start from
Shinjuku Station
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A 50 minutes
ride on Keio Line will take you
to Takaosanguchi
Station
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A 10 minutes walk will take you to
Takaosando Kiyotaki Station
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A 5 minutes
cable car ride on will take you
to Takaosan Station
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A 25 minutes walk will take you to
Takaosan Yakuoin Temple
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A 25 minutes walk will take you to
the Mountain Top (Observatory)
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A 5 minutes walk will take you to
Takaosan Station
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A 5 minutes
cable car ride on will take you
to Kiyotaki Station
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A 10 minutes walk will take you to
Takaosanguchi Station
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End journey with
a 50 minutes ride on Keio Line to Shinjuku
Station
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