If you’re looking for an easy nature escape from Tokyo, Mt. Takao is one of the best day trips you can take. It’s less than an hour from Shinjuku, beginner-friendly, and offers beautiful forests, a historic temple, delicious local food, and incredible views.

Here’s exactly how I spent my first trip to Mt. Takao—and why I’d happily do it again.

How to Get to Mt. Takao from Tokyo

I started my trip from Shinjuku Station at around 10:00 AM.

I highly recommend taking the Keio Liner Mt. TAKAO, which goes directly to Takaosanguchi Station in about 45 minutes.

• Fare: ¥430
• Reserved Seat: ¥410

The reserved seat is absolutely worth it. You can sit comfortably facing forward, enjoy the scenery, and arrive feeling relaxed before your hike.

You can buy the reserved seat ticket on the platform before boarding. Buying it on the train costs a little more.

If you don’t mind taking a regular train, you can also reach Takaosanguchi Station in about 55 minutes for the same base fare.

Is There a Bus to Mt. Takao?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a direct bus from central Tokyo to Mt. Takao.

There is an airport limousine bus from Haneda Airport to Takaosanguchi Station, but it usually arrives in the evening, making it more suitable for travelers staying overnight nearby.

For most visitors, the train is by far the easiest and fastest option.

My Mt. Takao Day Trip Itinerary

10:00 AM — Leave Shinjuku

After a relaxing train ride, I arrived at Takaosanguchi Station around 11:00 AM.

Finding the mountain was easy because almost everyone leaving the station was heading in the same direction.

The walk to the cable car station takes only about five minutes.

Along the way, you’ll find souvenir shops, dango stands, and restaurants serving famous tororo soba, a local specialty.

11:00 Cable Car or Chair Lift?

From the base of Mt. Takao, you have two choices.

Option 1
Take the cable car or chair lift to about 460 meters above sea level.

• Cable Car: 6 minutes
• Chair Lift: 12 minutes

Option 2
Hike all the way from the bottom, which takes around 40 minutes.

Since it was my first visit… I happily chose Option 1!

I picked the chair lift because I wanted to enjoy the fresh air and open views.

It turned out to be much more exciting than I expected! The lift climbs surprisingly high, and there isn’t a safety bar across your lap like at many ski resorts. It felt a little like a slow roller coaster.

If you’re afraid of heights, I’d recommend the cable car.

Otherwise, the chair lift is definitely more fun.

11:30 Hiking to Yakuoin Temple

After the lift, the real hike begins.

I grabbed a bottle of water from a vending machine (yes, IC cards like Suica work perfectly) and started walking.

Around 11:30 AM, I reached Yakuoin Temple.

The uphill walk is a good workout, but what impressed me most wasn’t the exercise—it was the atmosphere.

Unlike many tourist attractions, Yakuoin still feels like an active place of worship.

Dedicated to the legendary Tengu, the temple has a peaceful, spiritual atmosphere. I even saw groups making a traditional pilgrimage.

If you book in advance, you can also enjoy a traditional Buddhist vegetarian meal at the temple.

12:00 Reaching the Summit

After leaving the temple, the climb continues.

There are plenty of stairs, and my legs were definitely starting to feel the burn.

Just when I thought, “I’m getting tired…”

I spotted clean public restrooms.

And just beyond them…

The summit!

The view wasn’t perfectly clear that day, but I didn’t mind at all.

Standing at the top after my first hike felt incredibly rewarding.

On sunny days, you can even see Mt. Fuji from the summit.

Many people enjoy lunch here, either at the small restaurants or with a picnic they brought themselves.

12:50 Visiting the Monkey Park in Mt.Takao

I stayed at the summit for about 15 minutes before heading back down.

On the way, I finally noticed the Mt. Takao Monkey Park & Wild Plant Garden, which I’d completely missed while climbing.

Admission is only about ¥500, and it’s absolutely worth it.

Watching the Japanese macaques was surprisingly entertaining—they behave so much like people!

The staff also gave interesting talks about the monkeys (in Japanese), and visitors can buy food to feed them.

This ended up being one of the unexpected highlights of my day.

13:15 Back to Tokyo

I took the chair lift back down around 1:00 PM and returned to Takaosanguchi Station by about 1:30 PM.

After that, it was an easy train ride back to Shinjuku, arriving around 2:30 PM.

Including transportation, my entire Mt. Takao adventure took about five hours.

It was the perfect half-day escape from Tokyo.

Relax After Hiking Mt. Takao

If you have a little extra time, don’t rush back to Tokyo.

Many visitors stop at the nearby hot spring, but if you’re looking for a truly unique wellness experience, I highly recommend booking a massage after your hike.

Recovering tired legs in a traditional Japanese house at the foot of Mt. Takao is the perfect way to end the day—and a wonderful way to experience a quieter, more local side of Japan before heading back to the city.

Best Time to Visit Mt. Takao

I visited Mt. Takao on a weekend in June, and I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t too crowded. The train from Shinjuku was comfortable, and although there were plenty of hikers, the trails never felt overwhelmingly busy.

Personally, I think June is a great time to visit if you want to enjoy pleasant weather before the peak summer heat.

I wouldn’t recommend visiting in July or August unless you’re comfortable hiking in hot, humid conditions. Japanese summers can be extremely humid, and there’s a real risk of heat exhaustion or heatstroke, especially if you’re not used to the climate.

Autumn is famous for its beautiful fall colors, but it’s also one of the busiest times of the year. If you’re planning to visit during the autumn foliage season, expect larger crowds than I experienced.

What to Wear for Mt. Takao

Mt. Takao is beginner-friendly, but I still recommend wearing long sleeves and long pants. They’ll help protect you from insects, sun exposure, and scratches from plants along the trail.

Comfortable walking or hiking shoes are also a good idea, especially if you plan to hike beyond the cable car or chair lift.

If you forget any hiking essentials, don’t worry. The 7-Eleven at Takaosanguchi Station even sells a selection of Montbell hiking gear, making it easy to pick up items like hats, rainwear, or other outdoor accessories before you start your hike.

I’m not an experienced hiker, but I found Mt. Takao very beginner-friendly. With comfortable clothes, plenty of water, and a relaxed pace, it was an enjoyable hike and one of my favorite day trips from Tokyo.