Hiking Mt. Takao From Tokyo: Trails, Autumn Leaves and Mt. Fuji Views

Mount Takao is Tokyo's favourite mountain: just an hour from Shinjuku by train, with forest trails, a mountaintop temple, autumn leaves and, on a clear day, a view of Mount Fuji. It is one of the most climbed mountains in the world, and on a sunny autumn weekend you will understand why.

Our Japanese friend Misako invited us to join a hike with her colleagues. We expected a gentle ride up on the cable car to look at autumn leaves. What we got was a proper 10 km hike over several peaks, with nameko mushroom soup for lunch, monkeys, maple trees in every shade of red and, finally, Mount Fuji.

Here is how to plan your own Takao hike, from easy to more adventurous.

Quick answer: Take the Keio Line from Shinjuku to Takaosanguchi (about 1 hour, ¥430 with an IC card). Trail 1 is the easiest, mostly paved route to the summit (599 m), past Yakuoin Temple; the cable car or chairlift shortens the climb. Allow 1.5–2 hours up on foot. Come in mid to late November for autumn leaves, and on clear winter mornings for Mt. Fuji views.

How to get to Mt. Takao from Tokyo

• Keio Line from Shinjuku to Takaosanguchi: about 1 hour, ¥430 with an IC card (2026), no transfers needed. Make sure your train goes to Takaosanguchi; trains to Keio-Tama-Center or Hashimoto don't.
• Mt. TAKAO reserved-seat train: runs on weekends and holidays and takes about 45 minutes.
• JR Chuo Line to Takao Station: an alternative, then change to the Keio Line for one stop (or take a bus to other trailheads, as we did).

Keio sells discount tickets that combine the round trip with the cable car or chairlift, and a version that adds the onsen at the foot of the mountain.

Which trail to take

Mt. Takao has eight main trails. The most popular:

Trail	Character	Good for
Trail 1	Mostly paved, passes Yakuoin Temple, shops and toilets	Beginners, families
Trail 6	Forest path along a stream, unpaved	Nature lovers
Inariyama Trail	Ridge path, unpaved, no facilities	Views, quieter
Cable car / chairlift	6 minutes (cable car) or 12 minutes (chairlift)	Saving energy

From the summit, you can continue along the ridge to Shiroyama (about 1 hour), as we did, where little mountain huts sell soup and snacks.

Our hike: peaks, soup and Mt. Fuji

We started from a bus stop on the far side of the mountain and climbed first to Kagenobu-yama, then along the ridge to Shiroyama, and finally to the summit of Takao. The crowds thinned quickly once we left the main paths, and we passed families, couples and groups of elderly hikers who were much fitter than us.

Lunch was on Shiroyama, where the huts sell nameko miso soup, made with small, slippery brown mushrooms, and oden, a winter stew of fish cakes, eggs and radish. We each had several bowls.

And then, through the trees, there it was: Mount Fuji, white-capped and perfectly shaped above the hills.

Things to see on Mt. Takao

• Yakuoin Temple, founded in the 8th century, with statues of tengu, the long-nosed mountain spirits.
• The summit viewpoint at 599 m, with views of Mount Fuji and, on very clear days, Tokyo's skyline.
• The monkey park near the cable car (we would rather see the monkeys in the wild).
• TAKAO 599 Museum at the foot of the mountain, about the mountain's nature.
• Keio Takaosan Onsen Gokurakuyu, a hot spring next to Takaosanguchi station, perfect after the hike.

Best time to go

• Autumn (mid to late November): the maples turn red and gold. It is the most beautiful and the busiest season.
• Winter (December–February): cold, clear air and the best chance of seeing Mount Fuji.
• Spring: cherry blossoms and fresh green leaves.
• Summer: hot and humid, but the forest is cool and there is a beer garden near the cable car.

Tips

• Go on a weekday if you can; weekends in November are extremely crowded.
• Wear proper shoes for any trail except Trail 1.
• Bring water and snacks; there are no vending machines on the quieter trails.
• Take the cable car down if your legs are done; there is no shame in it, as we learned.

More nature near Tokyo: Hakone day trip from Tokyo.

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Sources checked: GLTJP – Mount Takao transportation guide (updated April 2026).