Report on the tour of 24th November

A clear view of snowcapped Mt. Fuji having gray clouds in lower quarter in tow seemed to have topped among various nice sceneries for our guests from Thailand, a female researcher of a PhD in Biochemistry, her mother and her aunt.

The view expanded even more when we moved from the summit of Mt. Takao to Momijidai reachable by further 10 minutes walking.

Of course, autumn foliage was in its best with sunshine and without much trouble thanks to early start before 8:00 in such a busy season.

At the temple, we showed some examples of syncretism of Buddhism and Shintoism, as they already visited Sensoji at Asakusa and Meiji Shrine during this stay, and animated phase of this temple contrasted well with conservative temples in Kyoto they are going to visit.

We never failed to visit a stupa where kept inside are remains of Buddha, given by the King of Thailand in 1930. 

Nancy and I also enjoyed the hiking on such a fine day similarly to our guests who were to drive to Lake Kawaguchi located at a foot of Mt. Fuji in the afternoon.

So, I’m sure the scenery of Mt. Fuji in the morning must have been a good appetizer. 

(By Sumo)

Hiking tour on Nov 18th

Here in Mt. Takao, the autumn color season is now on. The red leaves of maples and the yellow ones of gingko trees are seen here and there.

Today we had two guests from Hong-Kong, whose family names are same though they did not know each other at all. According to some reasons, we were not able to meet one of them at the starting time of the tour. But near the monkey park, half way up to top, five of us joined together. 

Weather was cloudy and many people came to expect to view beautiful autumnal leaves. On the trail-1, at temple and mountaintop are full of people to go around.

At the Yuki-en, where we usually see beautiful autumnal colors was slightly early in the peak of colored leaves.

We arrived at the summit around 1:00PM, then took lunch together. Unfortunately we could not see Mt. Fuji.

For going down, we went Trail-5, then Inariyama Trail after that we took Trail-6. Those are natural mountain path.

 One of guests said this was real hiking. We enjoyed walking Trail-6 along the small stream and felt unaffected nature.

We arrived at Kiyotaki cable car station at 3:10PM, then took group photos. We finished today’s hiking tour by thanking each other.

The autumn colors around Mt. Takao are at almost peak at the time of writing this blog and I expect the colors to continue to last for the next couple of weeks. (Comson)

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)