Private Tour on 4th November

Our today's guest was a nice lady from the U.S state of Colorado.

 Because November is one of the busiest seasons for Mt. Takao, we planned to meet at Takaosanguchi station at 8:15AM to start the tour early to avoid congestion, though very favorably, she came to the station well earlier than planned time. Therefore, we could get the tour started before 8:00AM. Thank you for her cooperation. Against the weather forecasts, the sky was already threatening at 8:00AM, and it turned out that earlier start was a good choice and allowed us to get to the summit of Mt. Takao before the rain became heavy.

 As for the tour route for the day, we recognized in advance that she prefers to choose going up and down on foot, so firstly we took Biwataki Road to Kasumi-dai, then took the trail No.1 for the rest of ascent. According to her, she habitually enjoys hiking at Colorado Mountains, so she was a very good walker, and went up the steep slope of the Biwataki Road without any problem. Rather, two of guides needed to walk as fast as we could to catch up with her.

 On the way to the summit from Kasumi-dai, we walked on the Trail No. 1 talking about main gates, historical halls and statues along the trail, as well as species of both Colorado Mountains and Mt. Takao. Both mountains can’t be treated equally, though according to her, at Colorado Mountains, leaves are already changed their colors, and, they have got some snow in October already, while it was a bit earlier to enjoy colorful autumn leaves here at Mt Takao.

Almost at the same time we reached to the summit of Mt. Takao, the rain was getting heavier. Not to mention Mt. Fuji, we couldn't enjoy scenery from the summit, so we took quick lunch at a arbor talking about jobs and daily life of each other, then started going down from the summit.

For the return trip, we took the Trail No.4 to the Josinmon gate, then took the Trail No.1 for the rest of the descent. On the way to the foot of the Mt. Takao, although we needed to walk carefully since the trail was slippery, somehow, we could reach to the foot of the Mt. Takao safely.

 During the tour, we learned that she was very busy travelling around the U.S for her job until October, however, she will be able to be at home for coming two months. So, we wish she will enjoy happy and peaceful holiday season with her family, friends and of course with her fiancé!

 By Shin

3rd Nov. 2018 Beginning of Autumn color at Mt Takao

Autumnal sky in the morning on First Saturday in November!

We were feeling autumn in the air.

The front of Takaosanguchi station was getting crowded.

We directly went to Kiyotaki-station from Takaosanguchi station around 9:30.

We could get on the cable car with 10 to 20 min. waiting.

We performed orientation for Today’s hiking tour out of

top cable car station and started.

The guests were from 11 countries; Myanmar, Sri Lanka,
Cambodia, Tanzania, Philippine, Liberia, Brazil, 
Bangladesh, East Timor, Micronesia and Viet Nam.

Since we had enough time today, we presented 
many guide points in a relaxed manner. Octopus cedar, 
the reason of rich forest at Mt. Takao, Joshin gate, 

Male and Female slopes, Yukien garden (Stupa, Replica of 
Izuna Daigongen), Four Guardian Deities Gate) , 
Six senses Stone Wheel, Tengu Statues, Temizuya (Water
basin), Eight Dragon King, Kurikara Dragon/ShoenKissho, 
The Main Temple, Guardian Lion-dogs, 36 bronze statues, 
The Izuna Gongen Hall-Main Shrine, Fuji Sengensya 
Shrine, Okunoin Fudo do Hall, and so on.

Yukien Garden is one of spots of colored leaves, 

but it was earlier.

Some guests were interested in bells with red colored strings tied in bunch at Hall of Kurikara Dragon/ShoenKissho as the god of marriage.

We arrived at the summit of Mt. Takao around noon. There were a lot of visitors there, who enjoyed lunches, but we luckily found one table available near to Omiharashi-tei; one of eateries. I supposed it was effectiveness of many praying.

Most of guests expected to see Mt. Fuji at the summit, but Mt. Fuji was behind cloud at that time.

One of guests picked up Mt. Fuji image from the panoramic photos of mountain view equipped on viewing place by iPhone and then showed it her colleagues while saying Mt. Fuji could be watched with a sense of joyfulness. 

We started going down around 12:45 and walked down on Trail #3 to avoid traffic jam. 

We used the chair lift for going down, but we spent 50min. to get on.

When arriving at Kiyotaki station, sound of Tsugaru-jamisen was coming.

We were surprised when seeing the stage. It was not Tsugaru-jamisen, but music instrument using schop, called Schop-jamisen. Is it a kind of air-guitar??

Anyway, we wrapped up successfully in front of Kiyotaki station.

Thanks to the guides and Supporters nobody got lost and 

everybody returned here without any troubles.

We really enjoyed the changing colors of autumn leaves with guests.

                                                                                                                    by Tim

Private Tour on 26 October

We met the nice Malaysian couple Alice and Jim.

listening to the guide-talk about Musasabi

It was a comfortable weather and the guests said “Similar weather to our home town.”

 In front of the Joshinmon

We walked on the Trail No. 1 talking about historic structures, various statues, the related background etc., and our guests looked enjoyed and pleased.

 colored leaves of autumn

at the summit of Takaosan 

Mt. Fuji was not visible because of the clouds. We had a lunch at a quiet and a hideaway- like place.

being relaxed on the suspension bridge

Spending the time with Alice and Jim was very pleasant too. Both of you are always welcome guests.

 Nosan and Nobby

Private Tour １０/１３/２０１8

Cloudy, and rather chilly, but nice for hiking.

Anecdotes about Fire God and Water God and the monkey boss.

“How fascinating” the guests seemed to say, judging from their expressions.

The other N prepared illustrated Chinese characters with its original forms of six senses at a wheel of stone. They all read Chinese characters, so they must have understood them quite well.

One of them even read some parts of the inscription of the temple Bell made in 1631.(R’s introduction to one of the oldest historical relics of the Yakuoin)They showed interest in all kinds of topics, ---a list of 厄年, charms,Asagimadara, 108 delusions( Who counted them?) , and so forth. Good listeners!

Since we had the information that “one of them had difficulties hiking in rough terrain”, we took the Fuji trail to the top. However, she had to ask how much more to climb at each turn. With everyone’s encouragement , we all made it to the summit. Our greatest achievement for this tour! ( N helping carry her handbag! I had to smile to myself……how funny it looked, but how sweet and kind of him.) At the summit, our heroine wanted the picture of herself ,alone right next to 高尾山頂. We celebrated with her, and were proud of her, too.

Cozy, relaxed and friendly all the way. 

They treated us to late lunch at Takahashiya. Another live conversation on families, marriages of young people, the Japanese society and Singapore and so on during the meal. 

We also got two key holders. Thank you so much, Generous guests!

You are always welcome. Come back anytime!

( by Ryo )

The JICA tour on October 6, 2018

The tour was very gorgeous for guests because 8 TENGU members guided 2 guests. Ms. Moshi Esther Epaphra(nickname Esther) from Tanzania and Mr. Banjong Prawit(nickname Pae) from Thailand are the guests.                             We 8 members explained many sightseeing spots by turns. Guests were interested in our guiding talk and asked many questions. Through answering questions, we talked much, and enjoyed conversations.

Esther and Pae touches octopus statue in order to draw good fortune.

After lunch, Chiko, a member of TENGU held a training session for ORIGAMI, traditional Japanese art of paper folding. Under Chiko's guidance, we folded paper cranes. Esther and Pae acquired the skills perfectly and completed beautiful paper cranes.

Chiko teaches how to fold paper crane.

After ORIGAMI, we sang a Japanese song. It was "HAKODATE NO HITO" which is one of hit songs of KITAJIMA SABURO who is the most popular ENKA singer. Nao, tour leader of TENGU prepared words and musical score of the song, so all of us sang the song together.ORIGAMI and ENKA would be a memorable experience for the guests.                                                                                One week before the tour, the 24th typhoon of this year hit the Japanese Archipelago.The maximum wind speed was 45.6m/s in Hachioji City. A lot of trees in Mt. TAKAO were broken branches and several trees were blown down. It was quite rare scenery.

a tree blown down from near the root

in front of KIYOTAKI station

(by Koba)

Report of the tour of 24th September 2018

 Very favorable for us was that our guests chose Trail No.6 for descending from the summit, though it was popular and normal Trail No.1 for the ascent.
Today’s guides, Kate and myself both love to walk on a mountain trail, and to take up topics on plants, very rich alongside of the Trail No.6. 

On chairlift. When we take it for ascent, we have to look back for enjoying a nice scenery

 Before going into details of our guiding, we should describe how nicely our guests got acquainted with each other.A young lady from Hong Kong, Anita who’d applied to our program met a lady of similar age from Australia, Bianca for the first time on the day.Anita told us of the web site called “Kanpai” where is available a program of searching fellow travelers. 

Kate, showing plants of this month on a booklet

Guests at the entrance gate of the temple.

  Among the plants I took up, Japanese Yam, sticky stuff often eaten with buckwheat noodle, or so-called “Three-pronged leaf” or “Mitsuba grass” having a nice fragrance and used for Japanese clear soup seemed to be impressive for them. 

On a stream of the Trail No.6

Above all of the aforementioned, we should say many thanks for them to have chosen Mt. Takao during their limited stay and their very first visit to our country.

Usual shot at the summit.

      ( By Sumo)

The JICA tour on September 1, 2018

On the first day of September, the sky over the mountain was covered with clouds and the air was very humid.

Contrary to such a gloomy weather, our guests this time were cheerful 14 people all coming from Africa.

As they are very friendly, we hit it off together immediately.

There were fewer hikers on that day, so we walked at our pace while taking much time for photos or talking about Japanese religion or culture.  

Some guy started a quick Japanese lesson for another guy, and then I could hear some simple Japanese words coming from here and there. They were staying in Tokyo for about a week and then moving to other parts of Japan to start their studying, so some Japanese might be helpful.

On the top, the guests from South Africa introduced their national anthem with one of our member s at lunch time.

Before leaving the top, we could see the Mt. Fuji despite of a cloudy sky. I didn’t expect we could. It might be that Mt, Fuji wanted to say “Hello” to our nice guests.

Preparing for a tour as a tour leader is a bit hard work, such as checking the weather forecast all the day, organizing people, making sure of every detail. However, having a nice time with wonderful guests is really rewarding. I felt refreshed after the tour.

To our guests, thank you for joining us and I hope you can make a good memory in Japan!

Nancy