Foliage guide at Mount Takao: The foliage hiking guide to fully enjoy Mount Takao in autumn

The peak viewing period typically falls between mid-November and early December each year. Due to the higher elevation of Mount Takao’s summit, the peak viewing period at the summit starts a bit earlier, around early November.

The nearest station to Mount Takao is Keio Line’s Takaosanguchi Station. Since it’s quite a distance from JR Chuo Line’s Takao Station to the trailhead of Mount Takao, make sure you don’t get off at the wrong station. It takes approximately 1 hour from Shinjuku Station to Takaosanguchi Station on the Keio Line.

The autumn foliage season is the busiest time of the year, with long queues for cable cars and lifts and crowded hiking trails. For those who want to enjoy the autumn foliage at Mount Takao, early morning climbing is recommended.
If you catch the first train from Shinjuku, you can arrive at Takaosanguchi Station on Keio Line by around 6 a.m. If you reach the trailhead before 8 a.m. and descend by noon, you should be able to avoid the crowds.
In the early morning at Mount Takao, you can enjoy the serene autumn foliage while basking in the refreshing air and the bright morning sun. For those who struggle with early mornings, consider staying at accommodation near Mount Takao the night before.

The Mount Takao Cable Car, which travels between Kiyotaki Station at the foot of Mount Takao and Takaosan Station on the mountainside, offers passengers the opportunity to admire vibrant autumn foliage while ascending Japan’s steepest slope.
The autumn foliage around Kiyotaki Station is also stunning, making it an excellent spot for photography.
The cable car going up tends to be crowded from 9 am to 11:30 am, and the cable car going down from 3 pm to 5 pm, resulting in wait times of approximately 60 to 90 minutes. It’s essential to be mindful of the timing when planning to use the cable car.

In the 16th year of Tenpyō (744), the temple was established by the decree of Emperor Shōmu, under the guidance of the venerable Buddhist monk Gyōki Bodhisattva. Situated on the mountainside of Mount Takao, its formal name is “Takaosan Yakuōin Yūkiji.” It is a major temple of the Shingon sect and is counted as one of the three major temples in the Kanto region, alongside the Naritasan Shinshoji Temple and the Kawasaki Daishi Heikenji Temple.
The entire precincts of the Takaosan Yakuōin Yūkiji Temple are adorned with autumn foliage, with particularly stunning contrasts between the Busshari Pagoda and the autumn leaves, as well as the collaboration between the torii gate and the vibrant red foliage. The scenery, comprising the mountain, autumn foliage, and historic temple, evokes a sense of traditional Japanese aesthetics that can only be experienced at Mount Takao.

At the summit of Mount Takao, you can enjoy autumn foliage in various areas such as the plaza and around the observation deck. If you visit the observation deck, you’ll encounter breathtaking scenery where Mount Fuji and autumn foliage collaborate beautifully.
The trees near the rest area also display stunning colors, so it’s a good idea to purchase food and drinks from nearby shops and enjoy the autumn foliage while sitting on a bench.
As the summit is the first place where autumn foliage begins, reaching its peak around early November, those who wish to enjoy the foliage there should be careful with the timing when planning their visit.

The “Momiji-dai” (Maple Viewing Platform), where you can enjoy the most beautiful autumn foliage in Mount Takao, is a hidden gem known to those familiar with the area, located about a 10-minute walk from the summit. While most people descend after enjoying the summit, if you’ve made the effort to visit Mount Takao, it’s worth extending your journey a bit to reach the Momiji-dai.
Take a moment to relax in the serene surroundings of the expansive maple forest, and immerse yourself in the deepening autumn atmosphere.

At the Mt. Takao Monkey Park and The Wild Plant Garden, located halfway up Mount Takao, you can enjoy not only autumn foliage but also various other attractions.
The saruen (monkey park) is home to about 70 90 monkeys living lively, and the keepers humorously introduce visitors to the orderly society and behaviors of these monkeys. The rooftop space is a popular spot for families, where you can observe both the autumn foliage of the surrounding mountains and the monkeys.

Trail 1 allows beginners to enjoy hiking while covering key tourist spots and autumn foliage spots. It takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes to reach the summit, with most of the path being paved, making it easy to walk on. This trail also allows you to pay a visit to the famous power spot, the Takaosan Yakuōin Yūkiji Temple.
With opportunities to enjoy autumn foliage throughout the trail and explore the main attractions of Mount Takao, this trail is highly recommended for first-time visitors to Mount Takao.

Trail 4 offers a slightly higher difficulty level compared to Trail 1. As a result, there are fewer climbers, allowing for a leisurely enjoyment of the autumn foliage. The biggest attraction of Trail 4 is the only suspension bridge on Mount Takao, called the Miyama Bridge. The combination of the suspension bridge and vibrant autumn foliage is a must-see. You can reach the summit in about an hour.

The Inariyama Course has many steep slopes but the paths are wide, and as you reach the mid-slopes, the trail becomes more gentle, making it an accessible route for those looking to enjoy mountain hiking with ease. The final stretch, consisting of approximately 200 steps just before the summit, is particularly demanding. It’s advisable to climb at your own pace, taking breaks as needed.
The ascent to the summit typically takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes one way. Along the way, the Azumaya observation deck offers a panoramic view of beautiful autumn foliage and the skyline of Shinjuku. This trail is recommended not only for enjoying autumn foliage but also for those seeking a hiking experience.

Located midway up Mount Takao, right after disembarking from the Mount Takao Cable Car at Takaosan Station, is the complex facility called “Takaosan Sumika.”
The souvenir shop is at the center of the first floor in Mount Takao Sumika. Original goods are on sale in which cute illustrations of the Mount Takao Sumika's original character, “And, oh, GU”, appear on Tenugui (Japanese towel) and postcards, and the original goods, illustrated T-shirt and mug of cable car and lift.

If you leave Keio Line’s Takaosanguchi Station and walk toward the Mount Takao Cable Car station, you’ll find Sakae-chaya Honten along the slope.
The signature dish here is Mt. Takao’s specialty, "Jinenjo Soba". Unlike regular yam, the jinenjo (wild yam) used here has a stronger stickiness, fragrance, and a richer flavor. Stir the grated yam until it becomes frothy, then enjoy it with your preferred seasonings.

At the location near the Takaosan Yakuōin Yūkiji Temple, where you finish climbing the Otoko-zaka or Onna-zaka hill of Trail 1 at Mount Takao, you’ll find Gomadokoro Gongen-chaya.
The shop's specialty is sesame dango, grilled over charcoal, sending a fragrant aroma wafting to the streets. Each dango stick, incorporating about 2,300 sesame seeds, is available in two varieties: gold sesame and black sesame. Customers can choose from three types of sauces made with Tokyo's soy sauce: mitarashi, a special soy sauce glaze, and walnut miso (the latter two being limited in quantity). Always served fresh off the grill, these dango, along with the self-service tea, make the ideal refreshment.

Lush greenery and clear babbling springs hug the space around this irori charcoal grill restaurant, just steps from the foot of Mt. Takao. A visit here will reveal about 6,000 tsubo (approximately 19,842 square meter) of sprawling grounds, gassho-style houses relocated from Etchu Gokayama and a Japanese garden that uses Mt. Takao as a backdrop, that together create a truly unforgettably scenic landscape.
The restaurant menu features a colorful array of dishes, all of which use painstakingly selected seasonal ingredients, like the meticulously raised charcoal-grilled chicken. Delight your tastebuds in the rich flavors of chicken, select Japanese beef, raised in the full glory of nature, and fresh-caught river fish from the clearest of streams, all slowly grilled over charcoal. Taste the four seasons of the Satoyama foothills in a treat for the mouth and the soul, all while gazing out at the scenery that waits just outside the window.

Located a 3-minute walk from Keio Line’s Takaosanguchi Station, Mt. TAKAO BASE CAMP literally serves as the base camp for climbers. It offers a guesthouse, café-bar, accommodation facilities, shared lounge, and terrace, catering specifically to climbers’ needs. Plus, the concierge service and free Wi-Fi add to its appeal.

Located about a 5-minute drive from Takaosanguchi Station is the renowned local establishment named “Gonsuke.” Nestled quietly on a vast 6,000-tsubo (approximately 20,000 square meters) property, Gonsuke offers private rooms where guests can enjoy robata-yaki (charcoal-grilled) dishes featuring mountain and sea delicacies. We highly recommend visiting this famous establishment in Takao for a delicious dinner after your hike.

Located a 1-minute walk from Keio Line’s Takaosanguchi Station, Takaone is an experiential hotel that encourages guests to enjoy nature. For breakfast, they offer sandwiches and drinks that you can enjoy outdoors. They also provide complimentary hiking bags, making it a recommended accommodation option for those planning to hike.