Mt. Takao (高尾山) is a 599m peak in Hachioji City, Tokyo. Awarded three Michelin stars as a tourist destination, it is one of the world’s most popular hiking spots, visited by over 3 million people a year. You can ride a cable car or chairlift halfway up, and the mountain is also known for Yakuoin Temple and its Tengu legend. From the summit, you can enjoy sweeping views of Mt. Fuji and the Tanzawa mountains.
Cable Car Kiyotaki Station is just a short walk from Keio Line Takaosanguchi Station.
Trail Information (as of May 2026)
- Inariyama Course: The trail section between Cable Car Kiyotaki Station and the summit observation deck, which had been closed long-term since February 19, 2024, is scheduled to reopen on November 1, 2025. Check the latest status with the Takao Visitor Center.
- Route 6 (Biwa Falls Course): The trail is restricted to uphill traffic only to ease congestion (typically March 20 – December 7). For the descent, use Route 1 or the Inariyama Course (after it reopens).
- Cable car: Runs every 15 minutes, with extra services every 5–10 minutes at peak times. It also runs through the night on New Year’s Eve; the final departure is 18:00 during the Diamond Fuji period (around the winter solstice).
If your goal is to hike Mt. Takao itself, the usual approach is to walk all the way from Keio Railway Takaosanguchi Station to the summit without using the cable car or chairlift.
Taking the cable car leaves you with just a 50-minute walk to the summit, which also makes it a handy shortcut if you are heading for the so-called “Ura-Takao” (back-Takao) peaks such as Mt. Kagenobu or Mt. Jinba nearby.
How to access the trailheads
- [Outbound] Cable Car Kiyotaki Station → Takaosan Station
- [Outbound] Chairlift Sanroku Station → Sanjo Station
- [Return] Cable Car Takaosan Station → Kiyotaki Station
- [Return] Chairlift Sanjo Station → Sanroku Station
Hiking Course Details — Mt. Takao
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Map & Recommended Route — Mt. Takao
There are several ways up Mt. Takao from Keio Line Takaosanguchi Station at the foot, including the cable car and the Echo chairlift.
As for which trail to take: if you simply want to enjoy nature, go with Route 6; if you also want to see sights such as Yakuoin Temple along the way, Route 1 is a good choice.
The paved section at the start of Route 1 is fairly steep, so taking the cable car partway is also worth considering.
For the descent, good options are to head from the summit toward Shiroyama, or to cross the suspension bridge on Route 4, join Route 1, and then walk down or take the cable car from there.
Note that Route 6 may become uphill-only during peak autumn foliage season.
1. [Outbound] Cable Car Kiyotaki Station → Takaosan Station
From Keio Railway Takaosanguchi Station, walk to the Cable Car Kiyotaki Station.
*During the Mt. Takao Beer Mount operating period, the final departure time is 21:15.
Travel time: about 6 minutes
Fare: one way ¥490 / round trip ¥950
| Month | First | Last Weekday |
Last Sat/Sun/holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January – February | 8:00 | 17:15 | 17:30 |
| March | 8:00 | 17:30 | 18:00 |
| April – May | 8:00 | 18:00 | 18:30 |
| June | 8:00 | 17:45 | 18:00 |
| July – August | 8:00 | 18:00 | 18:30 |
| September – November | 8:00 | 17:45 | 18:00 |
| December | 8:00 | 17:15 | 17:30 |
Reference: [Takao Tozan Dentetsu]
2. [Outbound] Chairlift Sanroku Station → Sanjo Station
From Keio Railway Takaosanguchi Station, walk to the Chairlift Sanroku Station.
Travel time: about 12 minutes
Fare: one way ¥490 / round trip ¥950
| Month | First | Last |
|---|---|---|
| May – November | 9:00 | 16:30 |
| December – April | 9:00 | 16:00 |
Reference: [Takao Tozan Dentetsu]
3. [Return] Mt. Takao → Takaosanguchi Station
Descend from the Mt. Takao summit to Takaosanguchi on foot.
Alternatively, take the cable car from Cable Car Takaosan Station down to Cable Car Kiyotaki Station, then walk.
*During the Mt. Takao Beer Mount operating period, the final departure time is 21:15.
Travel time: about 6 minutes
Fare: one way ¥490 / round trip ¥950
| Month | First | Last Weekday |
Last Sat/Sun/holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January – February | 8:00 | 17:15 | 17:30 |
| March | 8:00 | 17:30 | 18:00 |
| April – May | 8:00 | 18:00 | 18:30 |
| June | 8:00 | 17:45 | 18:00 |
| July – August | 8:00 | 18:00 | 18:30 |
| September – November | 8:00 | 17:45 | 18:00 |
| December | 8:00 | 17:15 | 17:30 |
Reference: [Takao Tozan Dentetsu]
4. [Return] Chairlift Sanjo Station → Sanroku Station
Travel time: about 12 minutes
Fare: one way ¥490 / round trip ¥950
| Month | First | Last |
|---|---|---|
| May – November | 9:00 | 16:30 |
| December – April | 9:00 | 16:00 |
Reference: [Takao Tozan Dentetsu]
