Researched guide · Checked on Oct 19, 2026
Mt. Takao is a forested mountain under an hour from Shinjuku by train, with forest trails, a cable car and chairlift, a temple guarded by tengu statues near the summit, and a hot spring waiting at the bottom. It is the easiest way to swap the city for nature on a day trip.
Quick answer
Getting there: take the Keio Line from Shinjuku to Takaosanguchi Station. The cable car station (Kiyotaki) is about a 5-minute walk.
Cable car or chairlift: ¥490 one way or ¥980 return for adults (¥250 / ¥500 for children). The cable car takes about 6 minutes, the chairlift about 12.
Busy times: autumn leaves (especially November) and weekends. Go early on a weekday if you can.
Plan Your Visit to Mt. Takao
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Overview
| Getting there | Takaosanguchi Station (Keio Takao Line), about 55 minutes from Shinjuku |
| Time needed | A full day |
| Best time | Autumn for the leaves (weekdays are less crowded); June to October for the summit beer garden |
| Good for | Hiking, nature, temples, hot springs, families |
Best Things to Do
Hike or ride to the summit
Mt. Takao has numbered hiking trails of different difficulty. If you prefer not to climb all the way, the cable car or the chairlift takes you about halfway up, which makes the upper mountain easy for families, older visitors and beginners. Enjoy the summit views, especially in autumn.
Takaosan Yakuo Temple
Near the summit, Yakuoin is a temple where visitors pray for good fortune, with tengu (mountain goblin) statues around the grounds.
TAKAO 599 MUSEUM
Four minutes on foot from Takaosanguchi Station, this free museum is about Mt. Takao’s plants and animals. It is named after the mountain’s height and has an indoor café and an outdoor lawn.
Keio Takaosan Onsen Gokurakuyu
At the foot of the mountain, this hot spring has indoor and outdoor baths and saunas, a perfect end to the hike. It also serves soba. See our onsen etiquette guide.
Cable car and chairlift
Both run between the foot of the mountain and the halfway point, and from the top stations you join Trail No. 1 to the summit. Fares are the same for both.
| Adult (12+) | Child (6–11) | |
|---|---|---|
| One way | ¥490 | ¥250 |
| Return | ¥980 | ¥500 |
| Cable car | Every 15 minutes from 8:00, about 6 minutes. The last car is around 17:15–18:30 depending on the month and day. |
| Chairlift | From 9:00, about 12 minutes. Last ride 16:30 (May–November) or 16:00 (December–April). |
| Paying | Cash, transport IC cards such as Suica, or a contactless credit card at the gate (one person per card). |
Children under 6 ride free with a paying adult or child. The cable car has one of the steepest gradients of any cable railway in Japan, at 31 degrees 18 minutes.
Save with the Takao-san Ticket
Keio Railway sells the Takao-san Ticket, a discounted return train ticket from any Keio Line station to Takaosanguchi with a cable car or chairlift ticket. See Keio’s official site for the current price.
Hiking to the summit
- Trail No. 1 is the main route. It is paved most of the way and passes Yakuoin Temple. Most people walk up from the top cable car station.
- From the summit, on clear days, you can see Mt. Fuji to the west.
- Wear comfortable shoes. Some trails are unpaved and slippery after rain.
- There are few places to buy food near the parking areas, so bring water. There are restaurants and shops near the top cable car station.
Download the official English trail map from the Takao Tozan Railway website before you go.
Food & Drink
- A mountaintop restaurant for lunch, and from June to October a summit beer garden described as the highest in Tokyo.
- Soba at Gokurakuyu after your hike.
Best Restaurants in Mt. Takao
Keio Takaosan Onsen Gokurakuyu (restaurant)
The hot spring next to Takaosanguchi Station has a restaurant serving soba, a good meal after hiking Mt. Takao.
- Reservations: see details
Shopping
- Shopping is not the point here: bring water and snacks for the hike.
Where to Stay
Mt. Takao is an easy day trip from Shinjuku, which has Tokyo’s biggest choice of hotels. See Best hotels in Shinjuku.
Getting There
- From Shinjuku: Keio Line semi-limited express to Takaosanguchi, about 55 minutes.
- From Tokyo Station: JR Chuo Line to Takao, then the Keio Takao Line, about 1 hour 25 minutes.
- From the airports: about 1 hour 55 minutes by train from Haneda, or about 2 hours 55 minutes from Narita.
New to Tokyo trains? See Trains in Tokyo and How to use Suica.
Suggested Itinerary
- MorningTrain from Shinjuku to Takaosanguchi
- Cable car or chairlift halfway up
- Walk
- MiddayTakaosan Yakuo Temple and the summit
- AfternoonHike down, TAKAO 599 MUSEUM
- EveningGokurakuyu hot spring and soba
Travel Tips
- Go on a weekday to avoid the crowds, especially in autumn.
- Wear comfortable shoes, even if you take the cable car or chairlift.
- Combine the hike with the hot spring at the bottom.
Choosing a mountain? See five easy hikes side by side in easy hikes near Tokyo.
FAQ
How long does it take to get to Mt. Takao from Shinjuku?
About 55 minutes on the Keio Line to Takaosanguchi Station.
Do I have to hike all the way up?
No. A cable car and a chairlift take you about halfway up.
Is there a hot spring at Mt. Takao?
Yes, Keio Takaosan Onsen Gokurakuyu is at the foot of the mountain.
How much is the Mt. Takao cable car?
¥490 one way or ¥980 return for adults, and ¥250 / ¥500 for children aged 6–11. The chairlift costs the same.
How long does it take to climb Mt. Takao?
It depends on the trail and your pace. Most visitors take the cable car or chairlift halfway and walk Trail No. 1 to the summit.
Can I see Mt. Fuji from Mt. Takao?
Yes, on clear days, from the summit.
Can I use Suica on the cable car?
Yes. Transport IC cards such as Suica and PASMO can be used.
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Sources
Information comes from the official sources below (checked October 19, 2026). Hours and prices change, so please check before you go.
