2025年11月8日土曜日

Nov.3.2025. private tour

It was cloudy at first when we met at 9:30 at Takaosanguchi  station. But from nearly noon there it started occasionally a bit sprinkling just as the weather forecast predicted.They seemed to be used to hiking and had prepared rain gear in case rain . They already knew fusion religion “Shugendo”.

We started tour from front of the statue of  boy monk trainee in sweeping.
It means we are asking tourists to bring back your own garbage your home with you.
Our guests from Hawaii they are familiar with Japanese custom.On the left lady shows 2 fingers which Japanese Victory sign we Japanese often do like this when we take a photo.


We got on beautiful yellow color cable car which is the steepest cable car in Japan.
We expect red Japanese maple leaves but still now it is not turned to be red enough.
If we could stand in front you can see our cable car going up straight steep slope to the top.
                                                                                            

 

This is early spring season.


 A lady is especially interested in Japanese monkey, so we dropped in monkey park . Seeing the monkey’s society makes us learn our human’s society.  We saw monkey’s acrobatic performance.






They rubed the statue of god octopus wishing many people gather to them by their attractiveness and bring success and happiness .





At the Joushinmon  sacred gate separates secular world from purified world.




Going through the gate ,there is Jinpendou. It enshrines founder of shugendo. People pray for their healthy legs and back.
She had knee surgery , so she needs to pray for the benefits.
At Yuukien and Yakuouin Temple precinct. Both there are many statues of Tengu they asked me Why?

 

 


We feel safe because they survey even in the night and protect this mountain from everywhere.
Nobody can do bad behavior.

 

At the peak of mt.Takao.  Very crowded because it is holiday. Regrettably even though  from the peak  we could see clear mountains but Mt.Fuji was behind clouds.


On the way back we dropped in Bentenkutsu where enshrined female god of art and fortune .



We found citrus Yuzu and bee’s nest. One of ladies saiid her father grow Yuzu in his garden.So she likes Yuzu very much and often yuzu for cooking. I recommended her that yuzu is also good use for bath time , enjoy its scent of Yuzu.                                              

 

They were impressed that many dogs were riding the cable car.



This season Japanese Banksy’s Origami art is 七五三. The number 753 means children’s festival wishing children’s growing up healthy and cerebrating at their each age.  
In the morning we couldn’t see the direction Tokyo and Yokohama clearly from observation deck  but on the way back It was very clear.



 

For returnning we chose the lift.       The lady who had knees surgery could climb and descend mt.Takao easily.

We surely belive it is Jinpendo’s divine effects gave her the benefits and she achieved it. We enjoyed the hiking very much.





Written by Rie






2025年9月15日月曜日

Report on TENGU tour held on September 13

 

Our guest is coming from New Zealand for work and went on a tour to spend her holidays. she like to walk in nature, and we walk to the top not use cable car as usual.



After about one hour walking in the little rain, rain stopped “Josinmon gate”was appeared in the fog.  It’s very mysterious atmosphere.







She listened to the explanation very enthusiastically



At the “Shiten nou gate”



She prayed good luck to the octopus statue 



After the rain, many creatures and plants appear in front of us to entertain




The mountains after the rain are fantastically beautiful scenery that you don't usually see


At the top of the mountain




At the suspension bridge


Famous sweet “Tengu yaki”


Unfortunately, it was cloudy today and couldn't see Mt.Fuji from the top, but we were able to enjoy the fantastic atmosphere shrouded in fog.

written by Nosan



2025年9月9日火曜日

Sunny Late-Summer Day on Mount Takao – TENGU Tour, September 6, 2025

 

After the typhoon, smiles were all around on Mount Takao!
Even though the skyline was hazy, we could make out Tokyo Skytree beyond Shinjuku’s skyscrapers


🟢 Our Guests & Guides


Today, we hosted five JICA young leaders studying in Japanese graduate schools, from Madagascar, Congo, Ghana, Kenya, and Myanmar. Guiding them were Maki, Kate, Rico, Ken, and Nobochan.


🟢 Steep Cable Car Ride


We started with Japan’s steepest cable car which took us from the height of 202m to 472 m in 6 minutes. Sitting at the front, we admired the 31° slope. From there, we walked 2.5 km to the summit (599 m), enjoying Mount Takao’s nature, culture, and history along the way.


🟢108-step stairway


Climbing while praying symbolizes overcoming human desires (bonnō), helping one live peacefully in daily life, and we all made it!


🟢 The Scenic Plaza full of cultural highlights.


·        Large Goma Fire Rituals are held here a few times a year.

·        Buddha Relic Tower: Houses relics of the Buddha, donated by the Thai royal family.

·        Iizuna Daigongen Statue: The main deity of Mount Takao, a combination of five powerful deities, led by Fudō Myōō, an incarnation of Dainichi Nyorai, protects people from evil and desire,

A guest who is Buddhist kindly explained the life of the Buddha, reading the stone carvings for the group!


🟢 Yakuoin Temple


We arrived at the center of Shingon Buddhism on Mount Takao.

·        Main Deity: Iizuna Daigongen

·        Tengu Guardians: Legendary creatures said to live in Japanese mountains. The two types of tengu on Mount Takao serve the deity and protect the temple, symbolizing supernatural powers.


🟢 Gongen Hall


The hall is covered with exquisite carvings. Inside resides Iizuna Daigongen,. Guided by our quiz: “Can you find the elephant in the carvings? If you find it, you’ll have good luck!”, everyone successfully spotted it!


🟢 Summit (599 m).


Although Mount Fuji was hidden in clouds, the summit view was breathtaking.

·        We had lunch in the forest, sharing stories and laughter.

·        One guest was celebrating a birthday, and we all sang “Happy Birthday!”


🟢 Suspension Bridge


On the way down, we chose a different trail.

·        The suspension bridge over the river was thrilling and scenic, and everyone enjoyed the adventure!


🟢 Japanese Toad Lily (“Hototogisu”)


Today, despite the late-summer heat in the city, autumn wildflowers were already blooming on the mountain.

·        The flower in the photo is called “Japanese Toad Lily” in English, or “Hototogisu” in Japanese, named after a bird. Interestingly, both names reference animals, but each culture imagines a different creature!


🟢 Two-Seater Lift



For the descent, we took a two-seater lift instead of the cable car.

·        Guests enjoyed the 360° panoramic views of the forest and distant horizon, along with the fresh mountain breeze and birdsong.


🟢 Safe Return


Everyone safely descended, with not too hot weather.

We wish our guests a fun and meaningful rest of their stay in Japan and hope they join another TENGU tour soon! Mount Takao is beautiful in every season 😃

Written by Maki


2025年8月4日月曜日

The typhoon flies away and the hot summer sun comes. 2.Aug.2025

  We had two guests from South Africa and the Philippines. They’re JICA* international students. *Japan International Cooperation Agency.



 The wind bells(Furin in Japanese) rang beneath Shitenno-mon gate. 

The sound made by the wind cooled us down.




Unfortunately we couldn’t see Mt.Fuji. She’s always shy to us. But we could find Chestnut butterfly (Asagimadara in Japanese) , a migrating butterfly that flew from Taiwan. 

 It was hot, but everyone enjoyed Mt.Takao.




Thank you to all our guests. Hope you enjoy the rest ofyour days in Japan!

Written by KEN.













Thank you to all our guests. Hope you enjoy the rest of your days in Japan!


 Written by KEN

 Written by KEN.








Thank you to all our guests. Hope you enjoy the rest of your days in Japan!

 Written by KEN.