JICA Tour on Oct.5, 2019

Not a cloud in the sky!!

The shining sun welcomed the 10 guests from six counties. They came to Japan through the programs of JICA, Japan International Cooperation Agency.  

We all got together in front of the Takao-san Guchi Station and introduced ourselves in turn, and then started the tour.  

We got on the cable car to go halfway up the mountain.  As soon as we got out of it, the sweet flavor came drifting in the air. There was no reason not to try “Tengu-yaki”, Tengu-shaped pancake with sweet bean paste inside, which is the bestseller in the mountain.

Smile with “Tengu-Yaki”

Walking along the Trail #1, we ran into a group of Japanese women wearing travel costumes of the Samurai Era. They were so friendly that they could hit it off with our international group right away!!

Together with women wearing Kimono

On the top of the mountain, we enjoyed an activity all together after lunch. One of our guides, Chiko, suddenly opened a piece of large paper in front of us and started to explain about Japanese word chain game and its song titled “ Kobuta(piggy), Tanuki(Raccoon dog), Kitsune(Fox), Neko(Cat)”, and then we started to sing the song all together. Surprisingly, people from six countries mastered the Japanese song quickly and started to sing it in chorus. For them, it was no problem even though its rhythm was getting faster and faster.

Fun Activity after lunch presented by Chiko

Top of Mt. Takao

We started to go down the mountain, using the trail #4. Though it is tougher than the trail #1, people from JICA appeared to hike happily in the pristine nature. 

Hiking on the Trail #4

We dropped by at the trees hugging each other that are called “Love Love Trees” and the suspension bridge. These two are the best photo spots on the trail #4.

In front of “Love Love Trees”

On the Suspension Bridge

We returned to the middle of the mountain and from there we went down to the foot of the mountain by using the chair lifts that is one of the highlights of today's tour. As soon as getting off the lift, one of the gusts said to me, “What a fun ride!! I want to ride the lift again by going halfway up the mountain from now.” I laughed.

Smiles on the chair lift

We got together on the foot of the mountain to take a group photo, and we again sang the song of “Kobuta, Tanuki, Kitsune, Neko” in chorus, saying goodbye to each other with a big smile.

 (Reported by HIDE)