[Kanto day trip spot] [Tokyo] Bike trip to Mt. Takao! A solo Harley trip to the mountains that even beginners can enjoy, visited by 3 million people a year
Hello, this is _hiroyuki.ta. This time, I went on a motorcycle tour from central Tokyo to Mt. Takao. Mt. Takao is a low mountain with an altitude of 599m, and is popular as a mountain that even beginners can easily climb. It has been certified as a 3-star tourist destination by the Michelin Guide, and is said to be visited by about 3 million climbers every year. We will introduce you to the charm of Mt. Takao, including how to access it by bike, what to see, and where to park your bike.
Mount Takao is one of the mountains visible from the Kanto Plain in Hachioji City, Tokyo. It is close to the city center, approximately 40km west of Shinjuku, and is easily accessible by train or bus. There are seven climbing courses on Mt. Takao, ranging from paved roads to mountain trails rich in nature. There are also rides such as cable cars and lifts. In addition to mountain climbing and gourmet food, Mt. Takao has many attractions, including temples and shrines such as Yakuo-in, exhibition facilities such as the TAKAO599 MUSEUM and visitor center, hot springs, and the Trick Art Museum.
Route to Mt. Takao
This time, I went on a motorcycle tour from central Tokyo to Mt. Takao. My favorite car is a Harley-Davidson FLSB Sport Glide. This bike is a model that combines the characteristics of a cruiser and a tourer, and can be enjoyed for a wide range of purposes, from city riding to long touring. I rode this bike and rode from Nihonbashi Hakozaki-cho to Mt. Takao in about an hour and a half. The route is shown below.
Highlights of Mt. Takao
Mt. Takao has many attractions, including history, culture, and nature, as well as mountain climbing and gourmet food. I visited the following spots this time.
This temple is known as a power spot on Mt. Takao. It boasts a history of 1200 years and is considered the special head temple of the Tendai sect. Buildings such as the main hall, Daishi-do, and Fudo-do are designated as important cultural properties. There are also statues of Tengu and Daikokuten on the grounds. Particularly famous is the statue of Daikokuten wearing a tengu mask, and it is said that if you stroke it, your luck with money and business will improve. I also petted it.
This is Mt. Takao’s only suspension bridge on Route 4. It is about 40m long and crosses a valley. From the suspension bridge, you can see trees such as beech and maple and the flowing stream. The autumn leaves season is especially beautiful. I crossed the suspension bridge to the top of the mountain and enjoyed the feeling of shaking and the scenery.
The summit of Mt. Takao is 599m above sea level. From the summit, you can enjoy views of the Kanto Plain, Mt. Fuji, the Southern Alps, and more. If the weather is nice, you might even be able to see landmarks such as the Sky Tree and Tokyo Tower. I took a short break at the top of the mountain and enjoyed the view. There are also facilities such as an observation deck, shop, and toilets at the summit. They also sell a local beer called Takaosan Beer. I didn’t drink and drive, but if you’re interested, give it a try.
Takao Onsen Gokurakuyu
https://www.takaosan-onsen.jp/img/top_bnr_13.jpg
This is a day trip hot spring facility located at the foot of Mt. Takao. There are natural hot springs, saunas, and bedrock baths. There are also plenty of restaurants, massage corners, and souvenir shops. I took a hot spring bath to relieve the fatigue of climbing. The hot spring water was clear and colorless, and felt gentle on the skin. I could see the nature of Mt. Takao from the open-air bath, and it was very pleasant.
There are several parking lots for motorcycles on Mt. Takao. I used the Yakuoin Prayer Hall parking lot. This place is a 5-minute walk from Takaosanguchi Station. Motorcycles can be parked for 500 yen each. However, it is often crowded on weekends and holidays, so we recommend going early. There are also other parking areas such as the Mt. Takao Cable Car Parking Lot and the Mt. Takao Onsen Gokurakuyu Parking Lot, but please note that the number of bikes available at these locations is limited.
summary
This time, I went on a motorcycle tour from central Tokyo to Mt. Takao. Mt. Takao has many attractions, including not only mountain climbing and gourmet food, but also history, culture, and nature. If you’re going by bike, it’s a good idea to check in advance about access and bike parking. Through this tour, I rediscovered the charm of Mt. Takao. Everyone, please come and visit Mt. Takao.
[Kanto day trip spot] [Tokyo] Bike trip to Mt. Takao! A solo Harley trip to the mountains that even beginners can enjoy, visited by 3 million people a year
