If you are interested what Japanese local people do in weekends, here is one answer.
Japanese people love to hike in Mountains to see their face changes in seasons.
Takaosan (Mt.Takao) 高尾山
Takaosan is one of the most popular mountain to climb in Tokyo. The summit height is 599m.
One of the reason, is the convenient access (50mins train trip) from Tokyo.
“Takaosanguchi Station（高尾山口駅）” is the base of Takaosan.
There are several routes to climb up to the summit. If it is your first time I definitely recommend to take “Trail No.1”.
Trail No.1 is mostly paved (I even saw a man pushing a baby stroller!) and passes the major sites. It takes around 90mins to the top, but you can use a short cut to halfway up by using the cable car or chair lift.
By the way, other trails are very narrow & unpaved. The good thing is it has less traffic.
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Below are the views during the hike by Trail No.1.
There are signs during the hike to see which way you are heading. Even if you get lost, just ask the people nearby and they will let you know the way.
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The forest greens will welcome you!!
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Some of the route has steps. This step is called “Otokozaka（男坂）” meaning “Man Slope”.
This is because the other side of the branch road is “OnnaZaka（女坂）” meaning “Women slope” and has a lower angled slope. But don’t worry you can climb up even if you are not a man.
The number of step is 108, which is said that it is same number of worldly desires in human.
It is said that your worldly desires will shrink by climbing up this steps one by one.
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There are many shops, foods and drinks for you to enjoy during the hike.
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This statue is “Tengu”. They are the guardian of Takaosan. They have wings and long nose or a beak.
They are always watching us. Kind to the good, but punish the evil.
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There are many temples and shrines that you might be interested, and learn the Japanese traditions and cultures.
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This is top of Takaosan. There awaits many hikers and shops for lunch. Everyone is taking seats to open up their lunch boxes. There are many family hikers, young to old, all kinds.
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You can enjoy the beautiful view. If you are lucky you can see “Tokyo Sky Tree”, the land mark tower of Tokyo.
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This is the route of Trail No.3, as you can see it has no pavement and more near to the nature.
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These stone statues are called “Ojizo-sama”.
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After the hike please refresh yourself by bathing in the hot spring near the Takaosanguchi Station.
If you have a chance please try hiking in Takao san. I hope you will like it.
I like to share many local spots of Japan for anyone who is interested, and hope they will spend a great time.
Thanks for reading!!
