The tour on the 24th May

The tour on the 24th May,2018

Today’s guests were about 30 people, visiting Japan from all over the world for some important conference in Tokyo, who had decided to visit Mt.Takao for a break between their busy conference schedule. 

We, 4 guides for today’s tour, were waiting anxiously for the guests at Takaosanguchi railway station under ominous black clouds with occasional lightning and thunder.

They arrived at 2pm as scheduled and after introducing ourselves and giving them necessary advice for the tour, we started for the cable car station, when it began to rain.

Though they were well prepared for the rain, having vinyl rain coat, we were worried if we could give them an enjoyable tour.

The sky looked more and more ominous and when we arrived at the cable car station, we were told that the service had been suspended due to possible lightning and had to wait until the thunder cloud went away.

After 15minutes or so, the service resumed and we were in the cable car. When we arrived at the upper station, we found the black clouds had disappeared and the weather was rapidly improving. There, the guests were divided into 4 groups, each led by one of the 4 guides and the 4 groups started the tour separately.

A Chinese guest asked me if there was any guide who speaks Chinese but I was sorry that we are TENGU, Takaosan English Volunteer Guide Club!  

Because the starting time was late today (usually it is 9:30am), we planned to make Yakuoin-Temple our destination, without usual walk up to the top of the mountain. Thanks to the weather, not so many visitors were around, making it possible for us to proceed with the tour on our own pace and rather effectively in a limited time.

By the time when we arrived at Yakuoin-Temple, the sky was blue and even the sun was shining and we all, guests and us guides, were enjoying the beautiful fresh green all around.

Though October and November are the most popular season for Mt.Takao, May is equally splendid time to visit the mountain.

Having said this, I thought of beautiful scenery of the mountain in summer and winter time and I tell you that you will never be disappointed whatever time of the year you visit here. Come and see Mt.Takao not once but many times in different season!

We took the cable car down and arrived back at the lower station at 4:30 pm, 30minutes later than the scheduled time but it’s not bad, considering the circumstance.

We broke up there after taking group photo. Some of the guests were going to the public hot spa nearby. It must be the first experience for many of them and I am interested to know their impression.

We thank you, all the guests to join our tour and hope it mentally and physically refreshed you, who were to work hard the next day.

Written by Nori