Private tour on October 30th, 2024

This tour consists of three guests from Australia, Peter, Ian and Fay. Our guests are fellow walkers, and despite their advanced ages, they are very hardy walkers and have been hiking in the mountains in Australia. They have traveled mountains in Europe and Mt Everest. This time, they chose the anytime tour and wanted to take a long trail from Mt Kagenobu. Unfortunately, Fay was unable to accompany us due to bad conditions, so we split into two groups (Group A and Group B) for a less burdensome route.

 [GroupA]

Peter, Ian, veteran guide Nosan and newcomer Masa met at Takao Station at 9:00 a.m. After brief self-introductions, we were transferred by bus to Kobotoke. On the way to Kobotoke bus stop, when Nosan explained the view from the bus window, Peter became interested in “Yuzu” and searched for it on his smartphone. In the meantime, we arrived at the Kagenobu trailhead at 10:00 a.m. Departure in light rain.

 We arrived at the entrance of the trailhead, listening to the explanation of yams and lacquer trees growing near the paved road. By this time, the rain stopped and the sun was shining brightly. Everyone went from long-sleeved clothes to short sleeves.

It took about 40 minutes to climb steeply, taking care not to get muddy. At the junction. They still look like a piece of cake. We took out the bear bell in a hurry when we saw a sign warning of bears.

Arrived at Mt. Kagenobu at around 11:20a.m. While enjoying the distant view through the clearing clouds, we had lunch. Peter showed me many photos of his hikes in Australia, and I was greatly impressed by the vivid colors of sea and mountains, and koalas! I want to go to Australia someday.

We departed from Mt.Kagenobu and proceeded through a series of small ups and downs. On the way, two guests showed interest in the mushrooms growing all over the tree.

Two guests were surprised by the strong scent of Japanese pepper leaves and admired Aoki. I also caught a smiley face.

This is Aoki.

At 13:30, we arrived at Kobotoke Pass. The two guests cleared the slightly steep stairs with ease and light steps.

 On the way, we encountered a tree that appeared to have been struck by lightning and we took pictures of it.

At 13:30, we arrived at Mt.Kobotoke-Shiroyama and took a short break. Masa, a new guide, was very interested in the private life of the guests, including their family stories.

After crossing Icchou-daira and approaching the long stairway before Momiji-dai, even the guests looked a little tired. Now, we are almost there!

Perhaps as a final reward for our efforts, the very beautiful Asagimadara seemed to be cheering us on. It did not turn away even when we got very close to it for camera work.

We will soon be meeting up with Fay and Satomi from Group B. Here is a little recap  of Group B’s day as well.

[Group B]

We met at the hotel near JR Hachioji station.We took a walk from JR Takao station to Komakino garden.

Along the way to the garden,  Fay enjoyed greeting dogs on the walk.At the garden, we walked around and enjoyed bonsai, pond-garden and dry-garden as well as a Japanese house.

We took a shortcut from the garden to Takaosanguchi by walking, and at Kiyotaki St., I described a statue of a giant Japanese flying squirrel.

We had lunch break at cable car Takaosan st. and took the Fuji Michi route to the top of Mt. Takao, on the way, I briefly talked about  "Monkey park", "Tako Sugi(Octopus Cedar tree)”,  "Origami display".

While waiting for a gap, we had a look around the visitor center.

 [Group A/B]

At 15:00, we finally met up with Fay and Satomi from Group B at the summit of Mt.Takao. Ian and Fay are a married couple, and they will be reunited here. Satomi was TENGU’s first guide, and she did a great job. Fay and Satomi, thank you so much for your hard work.

From the observatory on the way down the mountain, we made one last memory with the beautiful sunset in the background.

After descending the mountain, our guests treated us to dinner in honor of our guides. The menu was pure Japanese style, including tempura, soba, tofu and sake. It was very tasty.

We also received cute koala clips as gifts from our guests.

It was truly a wonderful day.  Thank you very much.

Written by Masa and Satomi

 

Report on TENGU tour held on 23 October 2024

 

Our guests were a group of thirty-four (34) business persons of a Japanese corporation, the majority of who appeared to be working at their overseas offices, who are attended by a couple of tour conductors and a mountain guide. TENGU members included Nabe-san and myself.

 Looks like our guests left their hotel by a sightseeing bus for Mt. Takao after they attended the business conference on that morning held in the center of Tokyo.

Accordingly, their plan for Mt. Takao tour had to be a very challenging one from our perspective.

 Unfortunately, it was drizzling even before the tour and the proposed start time of 2 pm of their tour was rather late for the time of the sunset scheduled a little earlier than 5 pm on 23 October 2023.

 Moreover, their sightseeing bus didn't arrive at the foot of Mt. Takao until 2:30 pm.

Sightseeing bus with our guest on board

To look at the bright side of things, we would not expect to see too many visitors to Mt. Takao and consequently, Mt. Takao should be much less crowed than usual.

 So, in the briefing before the tour, I told them that they were very lucky!

Briefing to our guests before getting started

Based on the foregoing situation, I strongly recommended that the best plan should be to take a cable car on the way as well as on the way back while my speech did not appear to be convincing enough.

Eventually, half of our guests stuck to taking a walk from the base of the mountain following Trail 1 while the other half chose to make a short cut by taking a cable car leaving at 3 pm.  

Our guests in the cable car

Needless say, two (2) old guys from TENGU took advantage of the cable car service while a mountain guide sent from the travel agent led the group of guests who opted to take a walk.

Moving on through the fog

Due to the weather conditions, our guests were not able to enjoy the wonderful view either from Sumika-mae observation deck, Kasumidai observation deck or the peak of Mt. Takao, which was unfortunate even if such a situation was more or less expected.

 Considering the very tight schedule combined with a little too many guests for just two (2) TENGU guides, we planned not to stop at many places for any active guiding while we planned to answer any questions our guests might have from time to time during the tour.

 To my surprise, I found that all the guests who opted to take a walk from the foot of the mountain caught up with us after we detoured to Yuki-en (Joyful Garden) where we guided on the photogenic white Thai style stupa.

 According to the mountain guide, many of them have longer limbs and walk with longer steps than most of the Japanese people, which is not fair!

 So, it turned out that it was a good decision for me, an older guide with shorter limbs, not to join the group who opted to follow Trail 1 on foot!

 When all the guests arrived at the Main Hall of Yakuo-in Temple, we divided them into two (2) groups as some of the guests (the "Group A") were eager to move on further to the peak of Mt. Takao going through Izuna Gongen-do Hall while the other guests (the "Group B") were unwilling to do so or a little too exhausted to do so.

In front of “Wish Coming True Ring” in the grounds of Yakuo-in Temple

I joined the Group A while Nabe-san joined Group B.

 The Group B left Yakuo-in Temple earlier and took an earlier cable car back to the foot of the mountain.

In front of Izuna Gongen-do Hall

When the Group A got to the peak of Mt. Takao, it started getting dark at around 4:30 pm.

 As expected, our guests in Group A were not lucky enough to see a graceful figure of Mt. Fuji from the peak of the mountain.

At the peak of Mt. Takao

On the way back, in the interest of safety, the Group A followed a different route called "Fuji Michi" which is broad enough for a small vehicle to pass through going down via Yakuo-in Temple.

 It was after sunset when the Group A were following Trail 1 relying only on the lights along the front approach to Yakuo-in Temple.

Following Trail 1 on the way back to the cable car Takaosan Station

Fortunately, the Group A managed to catch a cable car leaving at 5:15 pm from Takaosan Station as planned.

Everything is in the dense fog in front of the cable car Takaosan Station

t was good that we finished the tour without any problems to speak of notwithstanding their challenging tour plan.

All is well that ends well!

 

Dated: 25 October 2024

 Written by Shiro

Monthly tour on October 20th, 2024

 Today, we had two guests, a gentleman from Canada and a nice lady from China, both guests were very much interested in Mt. Takao and very friendly. Other than those guests and two guides from TENGU, we had a potential TENGU member as an observer, so we started our tour as a group of five around 9:30AM at Takaosanguchi station.

 After quick briefing in front of the statue of Sweeper Boy, we got on the cable car to go halfway up Mt. Takao, then enjoyed clear view from Kasumi-dai. It was a bit chilly and windy, though we could recognize not only for Tokyo sky tree and cluster of buildings of Shinjuku, but also for buildings of Yokohama area.

From Kasumi-dai, we walked on the Trail No. 1 talking about monkey park, octopus cedar tree, Joshinmon gate, Shugendo, 108 worldly desires etc.,

then we reached to Yuki-en (Joyful Garden) where a white beautiful stupa was welcoming us.

From Yuki-en, we continued walking on the Trail No.1 talking about legend of Tengu, guardians of the compass points at gate of Four Heavenly King, history of Yakuo-in temple, other small halls and statues along the trail, then arrived at the peak of Mt. Takao around 12:30PM.  At the peak of Mt. Takao, weather itself was very fine, however unfortunately we couldn’t observe Mt. Fuji, since she was so shy and hiding in clouds.

After the lunch break near the peak of Mt. Takao, we started going down the mountain thru Trail No.4 where we could enjoy breath of nature and popular green covered suspension bridge, then back to Trail No.1.

And finally, we took the chair lift and ended our tour safely around 2:40pm at the foot of Mt. Takao.

Thanks to the two guests, we wish all the best for both of you !.

 By Shin

Private tour on October 5th, 2024

 Today I had a guest, gentleman from Singapore. Usually, I meet with guests at Takaosanguchi station, however today we met with the guest at Takao station at 9:15AM, because both of us wanted to get Mt. Takao discount ticket at Takao station. 

 After successfully got the discount ticket, we moved to Takaosanguchi station using Keio Line. Unfortunately, when we arrived at Takaosanguchi station, it already started drizzling. So, we started our tour with umbrella.

 Firstly, we got on the cable car to go halfway up the mountain, then started walking on the Trail No. 1 talking about Monkey Park, Octopus cedar tree, vegetation, main gates, historical halls and statues along the trail, then arrived at Yakuoin temple. While talking about the four heavenly king gate, I learned something new about guardian of four directions. Legend of four heavenly king is similar to western legend of “guardians of the compass points”, or “angels of the four directions”. I thought I need to study more about such western legends.

 After talking about history of Yakuoin temple, we decided to stop further hiking, because we couldn’t expect good scenery from the summit of Mt. Takao due to drizzle. So, we started going down the mountain thru Trail No.1, then took the cable car then visited 599 museum for a coffee break as a wrap up of our tour.

By Shin

Report on TENGU Tour held on 5 October 2024

 

We met JICA guests members at Takao-san-guchi station at 9:15. This morning, I received the phone call from JICA staff and was told that two guest canceled the tour unfortunately. But we expected some cancellation because it was a rainy day. Even in a bad weather, 14 guests still joined our tour,and I check their equipment (umbrella and jackets). Some guests wore only T-shirt, so I suggested to buy jacket at station store because it was a cold day in rain.

We got on a cable car to go up to the middle of mountain and then saw Lucky Octopus tree, that is one of the famous tourism spot in Mt. Takao.

Then we visited at the Yakuo-in temple, that is main temple in Mt.Takao and saw the mountain priests were marching from the main hall , after performing Goma fire ritual. It’s very impressive!

When we were reached to the top of the mountain, we can’t see any view unfortunately, because of the rain. But we took the group photo there.

We took the lunch at the top and were chatting one of the guest had almost same look as one of our guide member, so we took the photo of two in a good memory.

 Every time I check the number of our guests in head count, I check the wrong guy of two in mistake. We called them they were brothers. That was a nice tour, even though the weather was not so good.

Report on TENGU Tour held on 3 August 2024

 

We started the tour at the station of Takao-san-guchi at 9:30. The guest comes fromMany countries (Thailand, Philippine, Egypt and Madagascar etc.)

It was a very hot day at 35 degrees C in temperature, but in shade, it was not so bad.

We took on the cable car which brought us to the middle of mountain. 

Some guests, coming from the country with no mountain, enjoyed the first experience on this ride. Then we started to walk on the trail in mountain.

In the trail, we saw many big cedar trees with straw rope and white paper, Mt. Takao is famous for mountain worship religion. The people pay deep respects for a big cedar tree and a big rock, They believe the spiritual power housed in the natural creature in mountain.

Then we were reached to big gate of Yakuoin temple, located in the middle of mountain.

In the temple, at the fountain of eight dragon king s hall, the guest enjoyed the activity to wash money. It’s a legendary story, that if you wash money here, you are going to be rich !

Then we got the top pf mountain , enjoying the lunch. It’s a great fun to chat with the guest.

After the lunch, we got down by chairlift, it’s another fun.

Finally we were back to Takao-san- guchi station and took group photo. It’s nice hiking !

Report on TENGU Tour held on 16 June 2024

 When I arrived at Takaosanguchi Station yesterday, it was drizzling while the weather eventually turned out to be OK for our tour clearing up as time went by. 

At the peak of Mt. Takao

It was another hot day while it was nice and cool in the shade. 

Our guest was a lady from Singapore who is staying in Tokyo for a while.  

TENGU guides included Rie-san, Nabe-san and myself as a tour leader.  

We took a cable car leaving Kiyotaki Station around 9:45 and then followed Trail 1 heading for the Yakuo-in Temple as usual.

 

Around the cable car Takaosan Station

We found that our guest is another Buddhist when we explained to her that Mt. Takao has long been the sacred mountain associated with Shugendo which is the fusion of Buddhism and Japanese mountain worship derived from Shinto.

 So, I do believe that she should be in a good position to understand easily the uniqueness of Japanese religious culture she witnessed at Mt. Takao. 

Around the Monkey Park

Touching the statue of Octopus for diving blessings

Following Trail 1, which is the front approach to Yakuo-in Temple, we found a popular display here for a festive event to celebrate Father’s Day this time, which reminded me that I’m one of the fathers.

 I was wondering how many fathers in Japan were aware that it was Father’s Day yesterday.

A display of the artwork by an anonymous local artist to celebrate Farther’s Day

In front of a Tori-i Gate called “Joshinmon”, a sort of Shino style gate

At the 108 stone steps nicknamed Men’s Slope

At Yuki-en (Joyful Garden), we found that our guest is familiar with a Thai style stupa as one of the Buddhists.

In front of white stupa at Yuki-en (Joyful Garden)

She was also familiar with various Hindu gods (such as Garuda, Sarasvati, Dakini, Ganesh, etc.) based on which the statue of Izuna Daigongen, the current religious ruler of Mt. Takao, is created.

In front of the statue of Izuna Daigongen, the religious ruler of Mt. Takao

In front of Shitenno-mon (Gate of Four Heavenly Kings), a Buddhist style gate

Our guest purifying herself before praying at the purification basin

In front of a pair of TENGU statues, which is another symbol of Mt. Takao

Our guest washing her coins to multiply them at the Hall of Eight Dragon Kings 

Our guest offering incense sticks in front of the Main Hall of Yakuo-in Temple

We were lucky enough to have an opportunity to see Asagimadara (chestnut tiger butterfly) dancing around very close up just before we got to the peak of the mountain.

 

Asagimadara dancing around

We got to the peak of Mt. Takao around noon. 

 Unfortunately, there were a little too many unwanted clouds to see the graceful figure of Mt. Fuji.  

Unlucky guys at the peak of Mt. Takao

We had lunch together around the peak of mountain stating around 12:15

At the lunch table around the peak of the mountain

After having lunch, we took a group photo at the peak of the mountain, which photo appears at the top of this post.

 As we understood that the preference of our guest is the route involving more natural mountain trails, we took a different route on the way back.

That is, we followed briefly Trail 1, switching to Iroha no Mori Trail and then to Trail 4 going through a suspension bridge (Miyamabashi Bridge) and finally back to Trail 1 again.

On Iroha no Mori Trail

Suspension Bridge (Miyamabashi Bridge)

After following Trail 1 briefly, we then walked down Biwataki Falls Trail, which is one of the steepest mountain trails via Kasumidai Observation Deck.

A view of Tokyo from Kasumidai Observation Deck

On Biwataki Falls Trail

We showed our guest the training site for mountain priests at Mt. Takao where they practice under the waterfall purification. 

At Biwataki Fudo-do Hall

We came back to the foot of the mountain around 14:30 and then took a group photo in front of the cable car Kiyotaki Station, which was the end of the tour.

 

In front of Kiyotaki Station

Looks like our guest enjoyed the tour, which is good, and is planning to come back to Mt. Takao in the near future.

 I understand that on that occasion she would plan to follow one of the more challenging hiking courses on the way such as Trail 6, along a mountain stream and Inariyama Trail, along a mountain ridge. 

 

Written by Shiro

Dated: 17 May 2024