JICA TOUR

The first JICA Mt. Takao tour of 2019　was held on February 2, 2019.

As many as Fourteen guests from eight different countries joined the tour and four members of our TENGU group hosted them. It was absolutory clear and sunny day though felt bit chilly.

After meeting and brief introduction at Takaosannguchi Station of Keio Line at 9:30, we moved to the Cable car station. The cable car climbed up from 200m to 472m height, rail track length is1000m, in approximately 6 minute and then started to walk aiming the 599m height summit. Views form the observation points were excellent. Skyscrapers and the Sky tree tower of Tokyo city center, which are 50-60km away, were clearly visible.

Due to some snowfall on the day before the tour day, parts of the trails surface were still covered with icy snow and was getting very slippery, therefore we were forced to pay extra attentions for safe walks. Our efforts were reworded by the magnificent view of Mt. Fuji at the summit.

 On the way to the top, we came across the group of Buddhist monks of Yakuouin Temple, wearing colorful costume, and chanting some mantra praying happiness, health and business prosperity.

After enjoying the lunch at the top, we played making snowballs and throwing the balls to the targets, it was a great fun because snow seemed rare for most of the today’s guests.

On the return journey, we chose a chair lift instead of the cable car and enjoyed better open views with a small thrill during 15 minutes ride.

Whole tour ended safely at the cable car station at just after 2:00pm and confirmed each other the tour was a great enjoyment. It is always making guide staff happy to hear some appreciation words from guests. Looking forward to seeing visitors from all over the world.

 Tad,