Monthly tour on October 20th, 2024

 Today, we had two guests, a gentleman from Canada and a nice lady from China, both guests were very much interested in Mt. Takao and very friendly. Other than those guests and two guides from TENGU, we had a potential TENGU member as an observer, so we started our tour as a group of five around 9:30AM at Takaosanguchi station.

 After quick briefing in front of the statue of Sweeper Boy, we got on the cable car to go halfway up Mt. Takao, then enjoyed clear view from Kasumi-dai. It was a bit chilly and windy, though we could recognize not only for Tokyo sky tree and cluster of buildings of Shinjuku, but also for buildings of Yokohama area.

From Kasumi-dai, we walked on the Trail No. 1 talking about monkey park, octopus cedar tree, Joshinmon gate, Shugendo, 108 worldly desires etc.,

then we reached to Yuki-en (Joyful Garden) where a white beautiful stupa was welcoming us.

From Yuki-en, we continued walking on the Trail No.1 talking about legend of Tengu, guardians of the compass points at gate of Four Heavenly King, history of Yakuo-in temple, other small halls and statues along the trail, then arrived at the peak of Mt. Takao around 12:30PM.  At the peak of Mt. Takao, weather itself was very fine, however unfortunately we couldn’t observe Mt. Fuji, since she was so shy and hiding in clouds.

After the lunch break near the peak of Mt. Takao, 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.

And finally, we took the chair lift and ended our tour safely around 2:40pm at the foot of Mt. Takao.

Thanks to the two guests, we wish all the best for both of you !.

 By Shin

Private tour on October 5th, 2024

 Today I had a guest, gentleman from Singapore. Usually, I meet with guests at Takaosanguchi station, however today we met with the guest at Takao station at 9:15AM, because both of us wanted to get Mt. Takao discount ticket at Takao station. 

 After successfully got the discount ticket, we moved to Takaosanguchi station using Keio Line. Unfortunately, when we arrived at Takaosanguchi station, it already started drizzling. So, we started our tour with umbrella.

 Firstly, we got on the cable car to go halfway up the mountain, then started walking on the Trail No. 1 talking about Monkey Park, Octopus cedar tree, vegetation, main gates, historical halls and statues along the trail, then arrived at Yakuoin temple. While talking about the four heavenly king gate, I learned something new about guardian of four directions. Legend of four heavenly king is similar to western legend of “guardians of the compass points”, or “angels of the four directions”. I thought I need to study more about such western legends.

 After talking about history of Yakuoin temple, we decided to stop further hiking, because we couldn’t expect good scenery from the summit of Mt. Takao due to drizzle. So, we started going down the mountain thru Trail No.1, then took the cable car then visited 599 museum for a coffee break as a wrap up of our tour.

By Shin

Report on TENGU Tour held on 5 October 2024

 

We met JICA guests members at Takao-san-guchi station at 9:15. This morning, I received the phone call from JICA staff and was told that two guest canceled the tour unfortunately. But we expected some cancellation because it was a rainy day. Even in a bad weather, 14 guests still joined our tour,and I check their equipment (umbrella and jackets). Some guests wore only T-shirt, so I suggested to buy jacket at station store because it was a cold day in rain.

We got on a cable car to go up to the middle of mountain and then saw Lucky Octopus tree, that is one of the famous tourism spot in Mt. Takao.

Then we visited at the Yakuo-in temple, that is main temple in Mt.Takao and saw the mountain priests were marching from the main hall , after performing Goma fire ritual. It’s very impressive!

When we were reached to the top of the mountain, we can’t see any view unfortunately, because of the rain. But we took the group photo there.

We took the lunch at the top and were chatting one of the guest had almost same look as one of our guide member, so we took the photo of two in a good memory.

 Every time I check the number of our guests in head count, I check the wrong guy of two in mistake. We called them they were brothers. That was a nice tour, even though the weather was not so good.

Report on TENGU Tour held on 3 August 2024

 

We started the tour at the station of Takao-san-guchi at 9:30. The guest comes fromMany countries (Thailand, Philippine, Egypt and Madagascar etc.)

It was a very hot day at 35 degrees C in temperature, but in shade, it was not so bad.

We took on the cable car which brought us to the middle of mountain. 

Some guests, coming from the country with no mountain, enjoyed the first experience on this ride. Then we started to walk on the trail in mountain.

In the trail, we saw many big cedar trees with straw rope and white paper, Mt. Takao is famous for mountain worship religion. The people pay deep respects for a big cedar tree and a big rock, They believe the spiritual power housed in the natural creature in mountain.

Then we were reached to big gate of Yakuoin temple, located in the middle of mountain.

In the temple, at the fountain of eight dragon king s hall, the guest enjoyed the activity to wash money. It’s a legendary story, that if you wash money here, you are going to be rich !

Then we got the top pf mountain , enjoying the lunch. It’s a great fun to chat with the guest.

After the lunch, we got down by chairlift, it’s another fun.

Finally we were back to Takao-san- guchi station and took group photo. It’s nice hiking !

Report on TENGU Tour held on 16 June 2024

 When I arrived at Takaosanguchi Station yesterday, it was drizzling while the weather eventually turned out to be OK for our tour clearing up as time went by. 

At the peak of Mt. Takao

It was another hot day while it was nice and cool in the shade. 

Our guest was a lady from Singapore who is staying in Tokyo for a while.  

TENGU guides included Rie-san, Nabe-san and myself as a tour leader.  

We took a cable car leaving Kiyotaki Station around 9:45 and then followed Trail 1 heading for the Yakuo-in Temple as usual.

 

Around the cable car Takaosan Station

We found that our guest is another Buddhist when we explained to her that Mt. Takao has long been the sacred mountain associated with Shugendo which is the fusion of Buddhism and Japanese mountain worship derived from Shinto.

 So, I do believe that she should be in a good position to understand easily the uniqueness of Japanese religious culture she witnessed at Mt. Takao. 

Around the Monkey Park

Touching the statue of Octopus for diving blessings

Following Trail 1, which is the front approach to Yakuo-in Temple, we found a popular display here for a festive event to celebrate Father’s Day this time, which reminded me that I’m one of the fathers.

 I was wondering how many fathers in Japan were aware that it was Father’s Day yesterday.

A display of the artwork by an anonymous local artist to celebrate Farther’s Day

In front of a Tori-i Gate called “Joshinmon”, a sort of Shino style gate

At the 108 stone steps nicknamed Men’s Slope

At Yuki-en (Joyful Garden), we found that our guest is familiar with a Thai style stupa as one of the Buddhists.

In front of white stupa at Yuki-en (Joyful Garden)

She was also familiar with various Hindu gods (such as Garuda, Sarasvati, Dakini, Ganesh, etc.) based on which the statue of Izuna Daigongen, the current religious ruler of Mt. Takao, is created.

In front of the statue of Izuna Daigongen, the religious ruler of Mt. Takao

In front of Shitenno-mon (Gate of Four Heavenly Kings), a Buddhist style gate

Our guest purifying herself before praying at the purification basin

In front of a pair of TENGU statues, which is another symbol of Mt. Takao

Our guest washing her coins to multiply them at the Hall of Eight Dragon Kings 

Our guest offering incense sticks in front of the Main Hall of Yakuo-in Temple

We were lucky enough to have an opportunity to see Asagimadara (chestnut tiger butterfly) dancing around very close up just before we got to the peak of the mountain.

 

Asagimadara dancing around

We got to the peak of Mt. Takao around noon. 

 Unfortunately, there were a little too many unwanted clouds to see the graceful figure of Mt. Fuji.  

Unlucky guys at the peak of Mt. Takao

We had lunch together around the peak of mountain stating around 12:15

At the lunch table around the peak of the mountain

After having lunch, we took a group photo at the peak of the mountain, which photo appears at the top of this post.

 As we understood that the preference of our guest is the route involving more natural mountain trails, we took a different route on the way back.

That is, we followed briefly Trail 1, switching to Iroha no Mori Trail and then to Trail 4 going through a suspension bridge (Miyamabashi Bridge) and finally back to Trail 1 again.

On Iroha no Mori Trail

Suspension Bridge (Miyamabashi Bridge)

After following Trail 1 briefly, we then walked down Biwataki Falls Trail, which is one of the steepest mountain trails via Kasumidai Observation Deck.

A view of Tokyo from Kasumidai Observation Deck

On Biwataki Falls Trail

We showed our guest the training site for mountain priests at Mt. Takao where they practice under the waterfall purification. 

At Biwataki Fudo-do Hall

We came back to the foot of the mountain around 14:30 and then took a group photo in front of the cable car Kiyotaki Station, which was the end of the tour.

 

In front of Kiyotaki Station

Looks like our guest enjoyed the tour, which is good, and is planning to come back to Mt. Takao in the near future.

 I understand that on that occasion she would plan to follow one of the more challenging hiking courses on the way such as Trail 6, along a mountain stream and Inariyama Trail, along a mountain ridge. 

 

Written by Shiro

Dated: 17 May 2024 

Blog for Jun.1 Tour

 Today’s guest is a young lady from Kenya. We started earlier than the planned 9:15 am that made the tour relaxing and leisurely without need to worry about the time. Though the sky was rather gray, when we had started, it kept improving and we could enjoy spring sunshine and blue sky almost all part of the tour. We took the cable-car, going up and walk via the Trail No.1 to the Yakuoin temple and to the summit. 

in the cable car

at the vantage point

 We stopped and guided on many points of interest on the way.

                                    a guide and an earnest listener

a guide and an earnest listener 

 

challenging the endless stone steps

all smiles at the Joyful Garden after conquering the stone steps

We arrived at Yakuoin temple and firstly, we called on Teng, a guardian of the mountain and the messenger of God, to pay our respect.

Tengu with supernatural power

Before visiting Yakuoin temple, the guide taught the guest how to purify yourself at “Purification Basin”

Learning how to purify yourself 

Look！They are really purified！

Red Torii at Yakuoin temple

 

In spite of our hope, Mt. Fuji was shy today but we proudly took this photo at the summit to declare we had conquered Mt. Takao and its torturing stone steps.

The proud climbers

 

On the way down, we visited the popular suspension bridge via Trail No.4, then back to Trail no.1. The chair lift brought us down to Kiyotaki station, where the guest enjoyed souvenir shopping for her family.

popular green covered suspension bridge

the chairlift-so refreshing

Kiyotaki　station

shopping souvenirs

 

We hope the guest enjoyed the tour and our guide.

Written by Nori