Sunny Late-Summer Day on Mount Takao – TENGU Tour, September 6, 2025

 

After the typhoon, smiles were all around on Mount Takao!
Even though the skyline was hazy, we could make out Tokyo Skytree beyond Shinjuku’s skyscrapers

🟢 Our Guests & Guides

Today, we hosted five JICA young leaders studying in Japanese graduate schools, from Madagascar, Congo, Ghana, Kenya, and Myanmar. Guiding them were Maki,　Kate, Rico, Ken, and Nobochan.

🟢 Steep Cable Car Ride

We started with Japan’s steepest cable car which took us from the height of 202m to 472 m in 6 minutes. Sitting at the front, we admired the 31° slope. From there, we walked 2.5 km to the summit (599 m), enjoying Mount Takao’s nature, culture, and history along the way.

🟢108-step stairway

Climbing while praying symbolizes overcoming human desires (bonnō), helping one live peacefully in daily life, and we all made it!

🟢 The Scenic Plaza full of cultural highlights.

·        Large Goma Fire Rituals are held here a few times a year.

·        Buddha Relic Tower: Houses relics of the Buddha, donated by the Thai royal family.

·        Iizuna Daigongen Statue: The main deity of Mount Takao, a combination of five powerful deities, led by Fudō Myōō, an incarnation of Dainichi Nyorai, protects people from evil and desire,

A guest who is Buddhist kindly explained the life of the Buddha, reading the stone carvings for the group!

🟢 Yakuoin Temple

We arrived at the center of Shingon Buddhism on Mount Takao.

·        Main Deity: Iizuna Daigongen

·        Tengu Guardians: Legendary creatures said to live in Japanese mountains. The two types of tengu on Mount Takao serve the deity and protect the temple, symbolizing supernatural powers.

🟢 Gongen Hall

The hall is covered with exquisite carvings. Inside resides Iizuna Daigongen,. Guided by our quiz: “Can you find the elephant in the carvings? If you find it, you’ll have good luck!”, everyone successfully spotted it!

🟢 Summit (599 m).

Although Mount Fuji was hidden in clouds, the summit view was breathtaking.

·        We had lunch in the forest, sharing stories and laughter.

·        One guest was celebrating a birthday, and we all sang “Happy Birthday!”

🟢 Suspension Bridge

On the way down, we chose a different trail.

·        The suspension bridge over the river was thrilling and scenic, and everyone enjoyed the adventure!

🟢 Japanese Toad Lily (“Hototogisu”)

Today, despite the late-summer heat in the city, autumn wildflowers were already blooming on the mountain.

·        The flower in the photo is called “Japanese Toad Lily” in English, or “Hototogisu” in Japanese, named after a bird. Interestingly, both names reference animals, but each culture imagines a different creature!

🟢 Two-Seater Lift

For the descent, we took a two-seater lift instead of the cable car.

·        Guests enjoyed the 360° panoramic views of the forest and distant horizon, along with the fresh mountain breeze and birdsong.

🟢 Safe Return

Everyone safely descended, with not too hot weather.

We wish our guests a fun and meaningful rest of their stay in Japan and hope they join another TENGU tour soon! Mount Takao is beautiful in every season 😃

Written by Maki