Report on TENGU tour held on 4 May 2024

 

In the middle of Golden Week, there was an enormous crowd at Mt. Takao while it was more or less expected.

 The weather was fantastic while it was a little bit hot and the moisture in the air prevented us from having a clear view of high-rise buildings in Shinjuku, Tokyo Skytree, etc. from Kasumi-mae Observation Deck.

Our guests were a group of nine (9) JICA trainees from various countries, Georgia, Malaysia, Philippines, Rwanda, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vanuatu.

 TENGU team included Nabe-san, Guchi-san, Nao-san, Shin-san, Rie-san and myself as a tour leader with one (1) observer, Omura-san as a potential future member of TENGU. 

At the peak of Mt. Takao

After a kick-off meeting, we started our tour around 10:45 dividing our guests and Tengu members into two (2) groups.

 Group A was led by myself while Group B was led by Nabe-san.  

 It was planned that a different group should take lunch at a different place to mitigate a potential competition for a lunch space around the peak of Mt. Takao.

 Group A took an earlier cable car without spending much time at the foot of the mountain. 

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

 After we got off the cable car, we just followed the ordinary route of Trail 1 passing by the Monkey Park, the Octopus Cedar Tree, the Joshinmon Gate heading for the Yakuo-in Temple.

In front of Kasumi-mae Observation Deck

 

Touching the statue of Octopus for diving blessings

Guiding in the course of Trail 1

In front of white stupa at Yuki-en (Joyful Garden)

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

Guiding In the grounds of Yakuo-in Temple

Group A got to the peak of Mt. Takao around 13:00.  Fortunately, both Group A and Group B managed to see the graceful figure of Mt. Fuji.

View of Mt. Fuji from the peak of Mt. Takao

Group A had lunch together around the peak of mountain after taking photos of Mt. Fuji.

At the lunch table around the peak of the mountain

Group A and Group B got together again at the peak of Mt. Takao around 14:00. Then, we took a group photo which is shown at the beginning of this blog.

 When descending the mountain, we took a different route by following Trail 1 first, 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

At Miyamabashi Bridge

On the way back, we took a chairlift for a change, which is a twelve (12) minute open air journey and should be marginally more exiting for our guests.

 We came back to the foot of the mountain around 15:40 and then took a group photo together again in front of the cable car Kiyotaki Station, which was the end of the tour.

In front of Kiyotaki Station

I believe and hope that our guests fully enjoyed this one day trip to Mt. Takao in the beautiful fresh green leaves.

 Written by Shiro

 Dated: 5 May 2024