Report on TENGU Tour held on 9 May 2026

 

Our guests were a group of twenty-four (24) students from overseas studying at Tokyo Metropolitan University and their teacher who led her students. 

 TENGU guides included Comson, Bob, Nao, Masa, Rico, Yoko, Satomi and Shiro (myself).

In front of Takaosanguchi Station

 

Our guests were divided into four (4) groups (i.e., Group A, Group B, Group C and Group D).  Two (2) TENGU guides were allocated to each group. 

 Group A led by myself took an easiest route by taking a cable car on the way while each of the other three (3) groups took a little more challenging route without taking a cable car.

 The weather was reasonably good so that Group A managed to see high-rise buildings in Shinjuku and Tokyo Skytree from Sumika-mae Observation Deck and all the groups were able to see a graceful figure of Mt. Fuji from the peak of Mt. Takao.

At Sumika-mae Observation Deck

With a graceful figure of Mt. Fuji viewed from the summit in the background

Thanks to the earlier departure, Groups A and B had enough time to cover many of the landmarks and sight-seeing spots at Mt. Takao along Trail 1 before they got to the peak of the mountain.

 

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

 

On the other hand, Groups C and D spent more time in feeling the rich nature of Mt. Takao following Trail 6 characterized by a scenic streamside narrower natural mountain trail.

Water meditation training site of Biwataki Falls

 

On Biwataki Falls Trail

Crossing a wooden bridge on Trail 6

Ascending a mountain stream along Trail 6

At Kasumi-dai Observation Deck

Touching the statue of Lucky Octopus for diving blessings

Around Joshin-mon tri-i gate (Gate of Purified Heart)

Just before going through the Gate of Getting out of Sufferings and the Path of Three Mysteries

With photogenic guests in front of photogenic white Thai style stupa at Yuki-en (Joyful Garden)

In front of the list of contributors to Yakuo-in Temple

In front of Shitenno-mon (Gate of Four (4) Heavenly Kings)

Let’s purify ourselves before praying at the purification basin.

Let’s become rich by washing your money at the sacred water basin

Happy to get a Goshu-in (a red stamp with calligraphy) on Goshuin-cho

In front of Izuna Gongen-do Hall

 

Groups A and B eventually got to the peak of Mt. Takao around 12:30 while Groups C and D got there much earlier at 11:15 to 11:30.

 After taking lunch, we took a group photo getting all the participants in the tour together at the peak of the mountain.

At the peak of Mt. Takao

With Mt. Fuji in the background

 

All the groups left the peak of the mountain around 13:00.

On the way back, both Groups A and B followed Trail No. 4 featuring a suspension bridge while some took a cable car or chairlift and others followed Trail 1 on foot. 

At a suspension bridge on Trail 4

 

Groups B and C followed Inariyama Trail.

Taking a short break on Inariyama Trail

At the end of the tour, we took group photos getting all the participants together again in front of the cable car Kiyotaki Station.

 Our tour ended around 14:40.

In front of Kiyotaki Station

 

I understand that from the perspective of students the tour was effectively a field-work for their study and that they are subject to the reporting requirements.

 I wish our young guests best of luck!

 Dated:  14 May 2026

 Written by Shiro