Report on TENGU tour held on 7 June 2025

 

We met our guests at the station of Takao-san-guchi at 9:15. This morning, we received the sudden cancellation of 8 guests, so the number of guests dropped from 11 to 3, resulting in a situation where there are too many Japanese guides - 11 of them. But we started the tour with high spirits. 

At the station of cable car, we saw the wild white flower (Sekkoku in Japanese), that was so beautiful. We went on trail of Route No1, and the nature in June is so comfortable for us.

We were reached to Yakuo-in temple in the middle of Mt.Takao. In front of the main hall, there were a large incense burner.  Worshipers light incense sticks and wave the smoke over themselves as spiritual purification before praying. This tradition is especially popular among students preparing for entrance exams. It is said that waving the smoke over your head makes you smarter, so many students hope for academic success by doing this. Our guests enjoyed this traditional experience, saying “I want to be the professor”. It looks very happy.

At the top of mountain, we enjoyed the lunch together.

Our guests asked me why Tengu take no money on guiding. I answered we were all local people, living around Mt.Takao. We all love Mt.Takao so much and want to introduce the nature of Mt.Takao to our guests. And also, international communication with our guest is a great fun for us!         (Written by Gucci)

Report on TENGU Tour held on 24 May 2025

 

Our guests were a quartet from Malaysia.

 TENGU guides included Comson and Shiro.

In front of Takaosanguchi Station

The weather was mostly cloudy during the tour. 

 So, unfortunately, we were not able to see either (i) high-rise buildings in Shinjuku and Tokyo Skytree from Sumika-mae Observation Deck or (ii) the graceful figure of Mt. Fuji from the peak of Mt. Takao.

On the way,　we took a cable car leaving Kiyotaki Station at　9:20.

 At the cable car stations, we saw ‘sekkoku’(dendrobium herb), a sort of orchid growing on trees that are in full bloom around this time of the year.

Sekkoku at Kiyotaki Station

Soon after we got off the cable car, we realized that the leader of the quartet is one of the most enthusiastic hikers and was eager to follow more natural mountain trails.

 So, we decided to change our original plan that we should follow Trail 1, and head for the peak of the mountain going through the grounds of Yakuo-in Temple.

 That is, one the way, we turned left at the Joshinmon tori-i gate taking Trail 3 on the side of southern slope of Mt. Takao where we can see more evergreen broad leaf trees.

Around Joshin-mon tri-i gate (Gate of Purified Heart)

On Trail 3

Taking some rest on Trail 3

We got to the peak of the mountain much earlier than usual at 10:40 partly thanks to earlier departure and partly thanks to skipping more time-consuming guiding on Trail 1 going through the grounds of Yakuo-in Temple.  

At the peak of Mt. Takao

So, we again changed our original plan that we should have lunch around the summit.

We left the peak of the mountain before 11:00 after spending some time there.

On the way back, we took a different route briefly following Trail 1, switching to Iroha no Mori Trail then further switching to Trail 4 on the side of northern slope of Mt. Takao going through the suspension bridge. 

Walking down along Iroha no Mori Trail

At Miyama-bashi Bridge (Suspension Bridge) on Trail 4

 

We were back on Trail 1 at 11:30 around Joshin-mon tri-i gate (Gate of Purified Heart) .

 Then, based on the discussion with our guests, we decided to walk down along Trail 1 and came back to the foot of the mountain around 12:30.

 

Saihairan (Cremastra appendiculata) a sort of orchid found around Kompiradai Observation Deck

 After coming back to the mountain base, we had ‘soba noodle’ lunch together with our guests.

                                  

At soba noodle restaurant

 

We said “Good-bye” to our guests after the lunch which was the end of tour. 

 I hope that they had a nice flight back to Kuala Lumpur last night.

 

Dated:  25 May 2025

Written by Shiro

 

Report on TENGU Tour held on 11 May 2025

 Our guests were a group of seventeen (17) students from overseas studying at Tokyo Metropolitan University led by their teacher. 

 TENGU guides included Nabe, Comson, Rie, Yuko, Yoko and Shiro (myself).

At the peak of Mt. Takao

The weather was reasonably good so that we managed to see high-rise buildings in Shinjuku and Tokyo Skytree from Sumika-mae Observation Deck while it wasn’t good enough unfortunately for a clear view of Mt. Fuji from the peak of Mt. Takao.

 Before we got started, we had divided both guests and guides into three (3) groups leaving the Takaosanguchi Station around 9 am.

 Thanks to the earlier departure, we had enough time to cover many of the landmarks and sight-seeing spots at Mt. Takao before we got to the peak of the mountain.

 

In front of the statue of Osoji Kozo

In front of the life-sized statue of Japanese Giant Flying Squirrel

On the way, all the groups took a cable car leaving the Kiyotaki Station around 9:30 - 9:40 am and then followed Trail No. 1 which is the front approach to Yakuo-in Temple, the main religious structure located halfway up the mountain.

Touching the statue of Lucky Octopus for diving blessings

Around Joshin-mon tri-i gate (Gate of Purified Heart)

Braves who have chosen more challenging Otoko-zaka (Slope for Men)

Photogenic guests in front of photogenic White Thai Style Stupa at Yuki-en (Joyful Garden)

In front of Shitenno-mon (Gate of Four (4) Heavenly Kings)

Let’s purify yourselves before praying at the purification basin

At the main hall of Yakuo-in Temple

In front of Izuna Gongen-do Hall

 

After we spent some time in the grounds of Yakuo-in Temple, all the groups managed to arrive at the peak of Mt. Takao before noon.

At the peak of Mt. Takao

At the lunch table

 

After having lunch, we took group photos and left the peak of the mountain around 1 pm.

On the way back, we took a different route following Iroha no Mori Trail, then switching to Trail No. 4 which merges back into Trail No. 1. 

At the Pair of Trees （Two （2） different kinds of tree embracing each other）

 

Walking down along Trail No. 4

At Miyama-bashi Bridge (Suspension Bridge)

 

Back on Trail No. 1, we found that a couple of guests wanted to visit the Monkey Park where you can watch the life of a group of some 90 Japanese monkeys.

 Accordingly, we decided to change the place for dismissal of the tour to the entrance of the Monkey Park.

 Then, some of the students took a cable car or a chairlift and others took a walk down to the foot of the mountain.

 I myself walked down along Trail No. 1 with their teacher and was back to the Takaosanguch Station before 2 pm.

 I understand that from the perspective of students the tour was effectively a field-work for their study and that they are subject to the reporting requirements vis-a-vis their teacher.

 I wish our young guests best of luck!

 

Dated:  17 May 2025

Written by Shiro

 

Report on Tengu tour held on 3 May 2025

 It was the perfect day for a mountain hike. The weather was nice and Mt Takao was covered with beautiful fresh green leaves.

At this tour we had seven guests from all over the world , such as the Philippines, Tunisian, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Morocco, Nigeria. They are masters enrolled in various universities of Japan.

We met our guests in front of the Takao-sanguchi station a little after 9 o’clock.
The day was just in the middle of the “Golden Week”. There were already a large number of climbers there.
After greeting each other, Nori as today’s tour leader gave them some information and we got started the tour. We believe that early start makes the tour successful when congestion is expected. 

Get off the cable car

 Fortunately we were able to get on the cable car without waiting time. Very lucky!

Then we took the trail No. 1 and headed to the summit. On the way we guided several points as usual.

                                    

      

 At the Octopus Cider

 

At the Jo-shin Gate

 

On the steps of the Men’s Slope

 

In front of the Wooden Planks of the Donors ’ Names

 

In the precinct of Yakuo-in Temple

Around noon, we reached the top of the mountain as planned. There were full of people on the summit.  Though Mt Fuji appeared only its upper half, guests enjoyed its view.

Luckily again, we were able to get 2 tables for lunch in our favorite place.

During the lunch, we enjoyed chatting. It is always enjoyable to talk with foreign guests.

 

lunch time

After lunch, we took a group photo on the summit. 

On our return, we chose Trail No.4 which is a mountain way on the northern side. It has a suspension bridge, Miyama bridge, that is very popular among visitors.

On the Miyama bridge 

When we reached the chairlift station, a lot of people were waiting for their turn.

Though we had to wait for about 20 minutes, it wasn’t so bad.

Riding on the chairlifts sometimes gives us a little bit scary feeling. But we enjoyed this thrilling experience and seeing the great view from the chairlift. 

At the Kiyotaki station, we took another group photo and the tour was over.

It was about 2:30pm as scheduled.

 

In front of the cable car station

Hope every guests had a good time and happy memories of Mt Takao tour. 

It was a great pleasure for us to share the time with you.

Come back again anytime and bring your friends or family next time!

We are looking forward to seeing you again!

Written by Sally

6 May 2025