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
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
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
