A mountain awarded three Michelin stars
Mt. Takao is located in Hachioji City, Tokyo, at the western edge of the Kanto Plain. As it is located where the plain turns into mountainous terrain, trains run right up to the trailhead, making it very accessible. With an elevation of 599 meters, it is a low mountain, but it offers beautiful nature and abundant hiking trails, as well as many attractions such as gourmet food and Yakou-in Temple. In addition to its excellent access, it is easy to reach the mountain slopes by cable car or lift, making it one of Japan’s top tourist destinations.
Since being awarded three stars in the Michelin Travel Guide in 2007, the number of hikers has increased, with an estimated 2.6 to 3 million visitors annually, making it the most visited mountain in the world.
When is the best time to visit Takao Mountain?
Takao Mountain can be enjoyed in any season, but the best time to visit is in autumn.
During the autumn foliage season, the trees are colored from the foot of the mountain to the summit, and many tourists visit to enjoy the autumn leaves. From the observation deck at the summit of Takao Mountain, you can enjoy a spectacular view of Mount Fuji and the autumn leaves, so if you can adjust your travel schedule, we highly recommend visiting during this time.
The autumn foliage at Takao Mountain typically reaches its peak from mid-November to early December.
Hiking courses at Takao Mountain
There are eight main hiking courses at Takao Mountain, including Nature Study Courses 1 to 6, the Inariyama Course, and the Takao Mountain/Jinba Mountain Traverse Course.
The difficulty levels vary depending on the course, so there are courses suitable for beginners as well as advanced hikers who love hiking.
Explanation of the calligraphy
It is read as “TAKAOSAN” in Japanese.
The top row is in hiragana, the middle row is in kanji, and the bottom row is in katakana.
