Report on TENGU Tour held on 20 April 2025

 

Our guests were a quartet from Philippines (i.e., one (1) lady and three (3) gentlemen) who appear to be co-workers at the office of a Japanese company in Manila.

In front of Takaosanguchi Station

TENGU guides included Rie and Shiro (myself) as tour leader. On the way, we took a chairlift around 10 am and then followed Trail 1 which is the front approach to Yakuo-in Temple, the main religious structure located halfway up the mountain.

 

At Chairlift Sanjo Station

 

Although the weather was reasonably good, we were not able to have a clear view of either high-rise buildings in Shinjuku, Tokyo Skytree, etc. from Sumika-mae Observation Deck, the Pacific Ocean from Kasumidai Observation Deck or the graceful figure of Mt. Fuji from the peak of Mt. Takao.

 

At Chairlift Sanjo Station

 Having said that, otherwise, our guests were very lucky in that 20 April 2025 is the 3^rd Sunday of April which falls on the Spring Festival of Yakuo-in Temple.

Accordingly, it was a very eventful day at Mt. Takao.

Luckily, on the way, we had opportunities to take photos with some of the mountain priests and one of the lion dancers.  In fact, the lion dancer was one of our guide fellows of TENGU.

With some of the mountain priests in front of 11-chome Tea House

At Kasumidai Observation Deck with one of the lion dancers who are just ready to perform

 

We guided our guests stopping at usual landmarks including Tako Sugi (Octopus Cedar Tree), Joshin-mon tri-i gate (Gate of Purified Heart) moving on to Otoko-zaka (Slope for Men).

Touching the statue of Lucky Octopus for diving blessings

In front of Joshin-mon tri-i gate

Just after choosing the more challenging Otoko-zaka

 

Although we are aware that at Yuki-en (Joyful Garden), where there is a photogenic white Thai style stupa, the outdoor Goma Fire Ritual was scheduled for the afternoon, our time schedule did not allow us to stay there until the ritual performance unfortunately.

 

At Yuki-en (Joyful Garden) with the Thai-style white stupa as the background

 

Outdoor Goma Fire Ritual held from 1 pm at Yuki-en which we failed to see

 

Just after leaving Yuki-en, we saw the procession of mountain priests, well-dressed children, supporters of Yakuo-in Temple, some of the local Boy Scout members, a trio of lion dancers one of who was one of our guide fellows, which was very much impressive.

A procession of mountain priests

 

Taiko drumming, which is an essential element of Japanese festivals, played in the open space close to Shitenno-mon (the Gate of Four Heavenly Kings) was also great and really impressive.

 

Taiko Drumming performance 

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

Guests trying to multiply their coins by washing them in the divine water with the help of Eight Dragon Kings

In front of Nio-mon Gate (Gate of Two (2) Heavenly Kings)

 

In front of the main hall of Yakuo-in Temple one of our guests asked me an interesting question looking at the Head Priest escorted by a pair of well-dressed children in the procession.

 He was very curious about the identity of those children.

When I responded to him that they would probably be children of some of the ordinary citizens or supporters of Yakuo-in Temple who applied for the participation in the procession.

 It turned out that he suspected that some of the monks of Yakuo-in Temple might be their father(s). Could anyone give us the truth?

Head Priest of Yakuo-in Temple escorted by a pair of well-dressed children

With the lion dancer who just finished his job

 At Izuna Gongen-do Hall

 

After we spent some time in the grounds of Yakuo-in Temple, we got to the peak of the mountain where we had lunch much later than usual at 1 pm.

 Although the peak of Mt. Takao was still very much crowded, partly thanks to a little late lunch time we managed to find one (1) lunch table enough for six (6) people, which was good.

 After having lunch, we took group photos at the peak of Mt. Takao and left there around 2 pm. 

 

At the peak of Mt. Takao

 

On the way back, we followed a different route going through the suspension bridge on Trail 4.

At the suspension bridge

 

Although we originally planned to take a cable car on the way back for a change, we found that our guests wanted to take a more exciting chairlift again.

 Taking a chairlift again

We came back to the foot of the mountain around 3 pm and then took the group photos involving our other guide fellows in front of the cable car Kiyotaki Station, which was the end of the tour.

In front of Kiyotaki Station

 

Dated:  21 April 2025

Written by Shiro

 

Private tour on April 11th, 2025

 Our guests for the day were a group of three women from Singapore and one gentleman working in Tokyo originally from Shanghai, China.

The TENGU guides included myself (Masa) and Shiro-san as tour leader.

The weather was slightly cloudy throughout the day.

On the way, we explained to our guests that Mt. Takao is blessed with the rich biodiversity represented by some 1,600 kinds of flowering plants partly because it’s located around the border between the two different forest zones (i.e., the warm-temperate forest zone and the cool-temperate zone). Our guests showed great curiosity and asked many thoughtful questions during the tour.

After getting off the lift

Unfortunately, the visibility was limited due to haze, we were not be able to see the skyscrapers of Shinjuku and Tokyo Skytree clearly from the observation deck in front of Mt. Takao Sumika, a popular stop for shopping, dining, etc.

At the Sumika observation deck

One of the highlights of the tour was our visit to Yuki-en, where guests learned about the Japanese earthquake-resistant technology in relation to a five-storied pagoda (i.e., a Japanese version of stupa)  and the site’s deep Asian and international connections, particularly through the history of the Stupa.

At Yuki-en 

After passing through the Shitenno-mon Gate, we arrived at Yakuo-in Temple, a place that beautifully embodies the fusion of Buddhism and Shinto — the indigenous religion of Japan. The temple showcases the depth and uniqueness of Japanese religious culture.

In front of Shitenno-mon Gate

Looks like our guests were attracted by the contrast between the vibrant red tori-i gate and the pale pink cherry blossoms. We hope our guests have enjoyed this beautiful and memorable season.

At the tori-i gate in front of Izuna Gongendo Hall

Thankfully, there were still several cherry trees in bloom near the summit. Guests enthusiastically took photos with their smartphones, capturing moments.

At the summit of Mt. Takao

Along trail No. 4, near the popular suspension bridge, the guests showed interest in spotting signs of local wildlife, adding another layer of excitement to the hike.

After descending the mountain, we wrapped up our tour with a late lunch of soba noodles at Takahashiya, one of the most popular local soba noodle restaurants. While enjoying their tempura soba, the guests commented that Japanese condiments, such as chili peppers, were milder compared to those from their home countries.

The tour ended at 4:00 p.m. Fortunately, the weather was OK throughout the day. We hope our guests continue to enjoy the rest of their stay in Japan.

Dated: 11 April 2025

Written by Masa

Private tour on February 11th, 2025

It was very chilly in the morning but perfect weather to see gracefully snow-covered Mt. Fuji from the top of Mt. Takao !.

Our guests today were a very nice family of six from Singapore. They were in the middle of their first journey in Japan. So, we very much appreciated that they were interested in Mt.Takao and chose our tour in such their precious time.　In addition to the family, we had four people from TENGU, so we started our tour as a group of ten around 9:40 at Takaosanguchi station. 
After quick briefing in front of the statue of Sweeper Boy,

(briefing in front of statue of Sweeper Boy)

we got on the cable car to go halfway up Mt. Takao, then enjoyed taste of popular baked confection “Tenguyaki” and amazingly clear view from Kasumidai observation deck as the first thing in the tour

(tasting popular TENGUYAKI”)

(clear view from Kasumidai observation deck)

From Kasumidai, we walked on Trail No. 1 talking about monkey park, octopus cedar  tree, Joshinmon gate, Chestnut tiger butterfly and 108 worldly desires etc.,

(talking about Chestnut tiger butterflies)

After walking up the 108 steps of Otoko-saka, we reached to Kunuke-mon, which is believed to mitigate feeling of suffering caused by endless cycle of reincarnation.

(in front of Kunuke-mon)

Then we reached to Yuki-en (Joyful Garden) where a white beautiful stupa was welcoming us. In the Thailand style stupa, cremated remains of Budda are housed.

(in front of beautiful white stupa)

From Yuki-en, we continued walking on Trail No.1 talking about legend of Tengu, guardians of the compass points at gate of Four Heavenly King, history of Yakuo-in  temple, and statues along the trail

(in front of four heavenly king gate)

(purifying hands before worshipping)

then arrived at the peak of Mt. Takao around 12:30　and enjoyed beautiful view of Mt. Fuji. 

                                    (at the top of Mt.Takao)

(with beautiful Mt,Fuji)

Nearby the peak of Mt.Takao, we took lunch break at a soba (Japanese buckwheat noodle)  restaurant and chatted about their plan for the rest of days in Japan,

(at Soba restaurant)

After the lunch break, we started going down the mountain thru Trail No.4 where we could enjoy breath of nature and popular green covered suspension bridge, then back to Trail No.1. 

(at suspension bridge on Trail No.4)

When we arrived at Sanjo station of chair lift, we recognized that the chair lift system was out of service for maintenance, so we decided to walk down all the way to the foot of Mt. Takao. It was unplanned happening, but we could reach to the Takaosanguchi station safely around 15:30, then took final group photo in front of the station.

                         (walking down all the way to the foot of Mt.Takao)

                                    (in front of Takaosanguchi station)

Thanks to the family, we wish all the best for them.   By Shin

Report on TENGU tour held on 9 December 2024

 

Our guests were a group of fifteen (15) Russian private bankers who were attended by a Russian organizer, a Russian guide, a photographer and a Japanese tour operator.

After learning calligraphy working on Japanese folding fans at Yakuo-in Temple

The guide from TENGU was just myself. The weather was perfect while it was a little bit cold in the morning.

 Thanks to the perfect weather, my guests and I were able to see the nice view of high-rise buildings in Shinjuku, Tokyo Skytree, etc. from Sumika-mae Observation Deck and the Pacific Ocean from Kasumidai Observation Deck.

At Kasumidai Observation Deck

We were still be able to enjoy the beautiful autumn foliage.

Around the Kasumidai Observation Deck

 

I was explained, in advance, to the effect that the main event for our guests will be to enjoy experience-based learning of Japanese culture at Yakuo-in Temple including calligraphy, tea ceremony and martial arts with the entertainment by Geisha girls.

So, my mission was quite different from a usual one and just to guide our guests on the way to Yakuo-in Temple through the Russian guide.

That is, I was requested to guide the guests from Russia by sharing interesting facts, etc. with the Russian guide while (i) taking a chairlift with her from the Sanroku Station at the foot of the mountain to the Sanjo Station at the middle of the mountain and then (ii) walking with her along the Trail 1 which is the front approach to Yakuo-in Temple without stopping at many of the usual guiding points.

The bottom line was that my English guiding was translated by the Russian guide and her translation was transmitted by wireless microphone to each guest wearing a receiver.

 

Russian guide and myself

In this context, my guiding had to be focused more on general topics in relation to (i) the remarkably rich biodiversity of Mt. Takao and its background and (ii) Yakuo-in Temple featuring the unique Japanese religious culture represented by the fusion of Buddhism and Shinto, the indigenous religion of Japan.

 It was a pity that it was much more difficult to know and feel any reaction from the Russian guests mainly due to the indirect guiding and the limited timeframe of the tour.

 On the way, we saw that some of twisted rice straw ropes called Shimenawa that symbolize Shinto being replaced with new ones to prepare for the New Year.

Newly replaced Shimenawa and the staff working on it

It was an extremely short journey starting from the mountain base around 10:30 am and ending in front of the Guest Quarters of Yakuo-in Temple around 11:15 am.

 After the tour, the Japanese tour operator kindly shared with me the photos they took including the ones in the main event at Yakuo-in Temple that I didn’t attend.

Russian Samurai and Geisha Girls

 Generally speaking, learning artistic pursuits such as calligraphy and tea ceremony is regarded part of self-discipline while looking at those photos their main event turned out to be a sort of more amusement and fun, which is good!

 

Dated: 11 December 2024

 Written by Shiro