Private tour on Nov. 9th,2022

 Today’s guest was a youth from Australia, who is holidaying in Japan, traveling around from Tokyo to Kyushu.

The weather was perfect with comfortable temperature. We started the tour at 10:15,

a rather late start compared with the usual tour. We had planned to take the cable car but as we didn’t want to waste time waiting for the cable car, we took chair lift to climb up instead. The reason for our hurrying along was that the guest wanted to experience the Shojin Ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cooking) to be served at the Yakuoin guest house from 11:00am, subject to prior sale. Though the number of visitors to Mt.Takao today was not as big as that of the peak time (which could be 1-2 weeks later), we wanted to make it sure that we will never miss the lunch. We arrived at the guest house in time. The lunch consists of rice, miso soup. (both free refills), salad, Udon soup(Japanese flour noodle), pickles, grated Japanese yam, sesame tofu and sweet red bean soup as a desert.

We enjoyed the lunch. It’s a fun and you may try it if you like. An advice for you here is that they accept cash only, no credit cards are acceptable.

Then we started to the summit, where unfortunately we could not see Mt.Fuji due to the fog but could see at the visitor center there the giant flying squirrel (stuffed), a popular mascot of Mt.Takao.

 As we had no reason to hurry any more after lunch, we started descending leisurely via Trail no.4, where we crossed the popular suspension bridge, enjoying the autumnal tints all around. We safely arrived back at Kiyotaki Station by cable car, bathing in the afterglow of the beauty of Mt.Takao.

Though we were in a rush climbing up, we hope our guest enjoyed the tour including the lunch. The tour ended around 2pm.

 

(Written by Nori)

Mt.Takao in autumn welcomed us on Nov.5th JICA-hiking tour

 Autumn is most popular times to walk around at Mt. Takao. With pleasant temperatures and clear air enable us to enjoy seeing skyscrapers of central Tokyo and mountains in the distance including Mt. Fuji.

On November 5^th Saturday, we held hiking tour participating 10 JICA members from several countries, 9 Tengu members and a membership applicant gathered at square of Takaosan-guchi station. A total of 20 people met up at 9:10am and had introductions everyone of them. After then we split into 2 groups and started Mt. Takao hiking tour under a little bit cloudy sky. Among more visitors than usual we had to be cautious not to be lost. We walked by the statue of young Buddhist monk with a broom “Osoji Kozo” explaining the Garbage Clean-up Activities of these 40 years. At the statue of Japanese giant flying squirrel as well. We took a cable car to Mount Takao Station located halfway up to the top. Then proceeded along trail no-1 guiding at observation deck, monkey park, wild plant garden, octopus cedar tree, the wildlife of this area, Joshinmon gate, jinben-do shrine, the stone monument of no killings, the strata of Mount Takao and 108 steps of men’s slope. 

At the Yuki-en, literally, Joyful Garden, we did not meet many people. Leaves of trees were beginning to change to colored ones. The white structure on the above photo is a stupa where the remains of Buddha, founder of Buddhism, enshrined. The ashes of Buddha were given to Scout Association in 1931 by the King of Thailand in token of friendship between Thailand and Japan. On the approach to Yakuo-in Temple, at right-hand side are plaque plates, on each of those contributor’s name being written. Through Shitenno-mon gate, there are Six Sense Purification Stone Wheel, Tengu statues, Eight Dragon Kings Hall, Kurikara-do Hall, and Wish Coming True Ring. 

There is Nio-mon gate in front of main hall, Nio, literally, Two Heavenly Kings stand on either side to protect the Yakuo-in temple. The main hall was constructed in the early 20^th century. Inside this hall, Healing Buddha, principal image, is enshrined. Here in main hall “Goma Fire Ritual” is held 6 times every day at 5:30 (Spring to Autumn) or 6:00 followed by 9:30,11:00,12:30、2:00 and 3:30. From the stairs to Izuna Gongen-do hall, we saw red Japanese maple leaves next to torii gate. Izuna Gongen-do Hall is made open to the visitors on 21^st of every month and sacred Japanese sake wine offered.

  Fudo-do Hall, placed at top of long stairs, is considered to have been constructed in the late 17th century. The wooden standing statue of Fudo-myo-o is said to have been made in the 14th century. In the behind of this hall is the branch of Fuji Sengenn-sha Shrine which is related to the shrine of Mt. Fuji. One of participants, climbed Mt. Fuji this August by the trail of Fujinomiya (one of 4 trails to top of Mt. Fuji), explained it’s hard road to get to top of Mt. Fuji.

We arrived at top of Mt. Takao until 12:30. Unfortunately we could not see Mt. Fuji because of clouds. Many people obstructed us to eat lunch together. After lunch at 1:15 we departed to going down taking trail no-4. Many participants enjoyed fresh air and mountain trail including suspension bridge.

 

We took chairlift for down to the foot. It is also exciting experience riding 16minutes with panoramic view. Before 3pm we safely finished this tour. It is seemed for all to be a fun and great day.（Comson）

Report of JICA tour on 1st October

 After 3-year absence, because of Colona, we resumed our Mount Takao English guide hiking with JICA member, yet.

Today, we have 5guests from Egypt, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, and a visitor from JICA Tokyo office. We started the tour around 11:00. Since it was fine Saturday, many people were in front of the station.

To get 11:10 cable car, we only made simple guidance around there. And enjoyed nice scenery from the slope.   Around the upper cable car station, we divided into two teams.

 

 

At Kasumidai observation deck we enjoyed the view of Tokyo and Yokohama. High rise building in Shinjuku, Tokyo Sky Tree, Yokohama Landmark Building or so.

At the Monkey Park, they were performing a special show from “Nikko-Saru-Gundan”. The monkey was adorable.

 

A lot of religious structures are on the way and in Yakuo-in Temple. Our guests were very interested in them. Therefore, our guides could explain with passion. For example, about “Tako-Sugi, or Octopus Cedar Tree”, 108 worldly desires, relationship with Shintoism and Buddhism, Izuna Daigongen that is the principal image of Yakuo-in Temple and #Tengu, the messenger of the principle and so on.

 

By chance, we saw the monks’ procession in the temple, and an adorable girl in decorative kimono. The girl seemed to make “seven- five-three year” festival, one of rites of passage, wishing for her health and happiness. Monks do a fire ritual for various kind of wish and desire of believers.

We went up many steps to the top of the mountain. It was like a hard training for mountain monks!

We reached the top at 13:10, at last! The view was clear but not enough to see Mt. Fuji.

During lunch, we had a chat about monks’ procession or customs or so.

After lunch, we went down trail 1⇒trail 4⇒trail1. On the trail 4 we breathed fresh air and purified ourselves.

 Lastly, we took a chair lift. It was another highlight of the tour. On the lift, we enjoyed not only the superb view of the mountains but also thrill of an aerial walk because there’s no safety bar on.

At the lower cable car station, we took the last group picture and said good-bye with joy.

 (Written by Keita)投稿者 TENGU Takao-san English Volunteer Guide Club

Regular Tour on June 19,2022

 

Today we had no foreign guest joining the tour but instead, had a Japanese visitor who was interested in TENGU activities and wanted to experience the tour.

So the participants were the Japanese visitor and 5 TENGU members, making total 6.

 As TENGU’ activities have been suspended for some time due to the Corona pandemic,  some of TENGU participants felt that they needed to refresh their guiding skill as well as to revive their physical strength.

So the tour leader decided to take this opportunity to do so, by doing guide work for other participants , assuming they were foreign guests.

Though the weather forecast for the day had suggested possible raining, it was a fine day from the start to the end.

We took the cable car going up and walk the No.1 trail to Yakuoin temple and the summit, with TENGU members making guide in turn at various points of interest on  the way.

As before, we took lunch at the summit, where we saw almost as many visitors as before but unfortunately could not see shy Mt.Fuji.

 We took No.4 trail, crossing the suspension bridge on the way, then No.1 trail again to the chair lift climbing down.

The sunshine, blue sky, green leaves and the fresh breeze made the tour perfect, which started 9:30 am and ended 2:30 pm.

 

We hope that the day will come back soon when we receive as many guests as before.

 

Written by Nori

Regular tour on May. 15,2022

 

Today we have 1 guest from Indonesia.

He came to Japan one month ago and lived in Hachioji city near Mt.Takao.

We met at the station gate of Mt.Takao and start the hiking tour.

Mt.Takao had 599 M in high, so we got on the cable car that let us go up on  the steepest railway in Japan.

We went through the gate that was believed to get rid of your suffering, Kunuke_mon and reached to Joyful garden. There Maki-san explained about many interesting stories about the bronze statue of main god, Izuna.

And then we took the photo of jumping together, that was a great fun.

Please look at our great shot !!

We visited the main temple of yakuo-in temple, and study many tips about Buddhism temple and Shinto shrine, that was explained by our guide Sally.

At the peak of Mt.Takao, we took a lunch and chat about the culture on each country. We enjoy the food and precious moment.

Then we got down on hiking route in the mountain, getting back to the starting point. Again we took a group picture in front of the sation of cable car.

Although it’s a little cloudy day, our guest seem to enjoy our tour and we also enjoy a great hike in Mt.Takao

 (by Gucci)

 

Warm-up & Remind tour on Dec.4th,2021

 

In the morning Dec. 4th, a clear and sunny day, 8 TENGU members gathered at Takao-sanguchi station 9:30 am for the first time activity in the past two years: Warm-up & Remind,. This was the first real activity of TEMGU in the age of living with COVID-19. No guest, but a newcomer Goreilo also attended. Nabe’s Sweeper boy started the excursion. Octopus cider, Different woods, Ghost girl orchid, Chestnut tiger butterfly, Nikko maple, Prifying-mind gate, Jinpen shrine, a worldly disiere (Bonnou), The great god Izuna, Main hole, Stupa, Flower blooming goddess and etc. were guided by Sally, Chiko, Kate, Comson, Shin and Nao. Goreilo asked some questions about those. We gradually remind the explanations but some are not yet. Autumn leaves are still so beautiful in Mt.Takao. We reached Fuji sengen shrine at 12:30. We had a closing meeting then dispersed.   

After this tour, I’ve got a cramp in my legs after returned home. Shakuyakukanzou-tou cured it soon.    

In the night 8 pm same day, 5 members have a remote year-end party. We drank and talked about the three big news 2021 in yourself, the three big crises in your life and New year’s resolutions. Those were very fun.

Nao

Messages from the representative

I am Nao. I became a representative of TENGU from April. Though TENGU tours are stopping from last year due to COVID-19, we are preparing for restart. We are also guessing the possibility of new type of tour and some events between members. We will work with safety first. Thank you for your cooperation. Tour resume will be posted on TENGU’s homepage. Look forward! 

Ｎａｏです。

４月からTENGU代表になりました。よろしくお願いします。コロナ禍で、昨年からツアーは停止中で、現在、再開に向けて準備中です。新しいタイプのツアーや会員間での種々のイベントを模索中です。安全第一で活動していきますの、皆さんのご協力をお願いします。ツアー再開時はホームページにお知らせを掲示しますので、お待ち下さい。 

저는 나오 입니다. 4월 부터 TENGU대표가 되었어요. 코로나 유행병으로 지난해부터 투어를 정지해서 1년이 지났습니다. 재개를 향해 준비하고 있습니다. 새로운형태의 투어나 회원끼리의 이벤트를 모색하고 있습니다. 안전제일로 활동할수 있도록 여러분의 협력을 부탁합니다. 투어 재개시는 홈페이지에 알림을 개시합니다. 기다려 주세요. 

https://www.facebook.com/naohiro.hirose.5