gunmajet.net

GAJET Endorsed?:
No

Event Info:

SIGN-UPS SO FAR:
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Aileen Lin + friends
Alana Baxter
Clark Quigley
Daniel Simmons
Jackie Fung
John Gregerson
Julie Hale
Mako Miyamoto
Noli Ergas
Scott Boyd
Scott Fukuyama + Naomi
Tokyo's not just the crowded megalopolis everyone imagines it to be. For example, it is surprising just how close the mountains of Meiji-no-mori-Takao Quasi-National Park are to the city. They are not huge mountains, but the accessibility of forested trails just an hour west of Shinjuku may surprise the nature-lovers among us who look on Tokyo's urban sprawl with barely concealed distaste. Why not celebrate the coming spring equinox holiday (Wednesday, March 21) with a day jaunt around Mt. Takao?
This is a choose-your-own-adventure kind of day trip -- you can do what you like without feeling pressure to wander around in a big group. Mt. Takao has plenty of varied attractions: you can hike, relax, visit the monkey park, explore an 8th-century temple, etc.
THE PLAN: Plan to get an early start and arrive at Takao-san-guchi station by 10am. From the station, we will head straight for the hills. Mt. Takao is only 599m high. Its main numbered trails are roughly two miles long and while steep in parts, include numerous chances to rest on the way, as well as sneak peeks at Mount Fuji and the surrounding mountains. The Mount Inari Path is one of the longer ones, but less crowded, and includes beautiful spring or fall foliage.
Less ambitious hikers can ride the cable car or chair lift that takes passengers about halfway to the peak. Cars leave about every 15 minutes from Kiyotaki Station and Sanroku Station (for the chair lift), which are a three-minute walk from the train. The cars and lift operate from 8 a.m. until early evening; one-way tickets for adults cost 470 yen, or 900 yen for a round trip. The five-minute ride in the cable car has a pitch of 31 degrees, one of the steepest rides of its kind in Japan.

After alighting, interested parties may wish to visit the monkey park on the mountain's south slope (400 yen for adults, 200 yen for children). Here, there are dozens of Japanese monkeys as well as guides who can explain how they socialize.

Others may wish to start marching up through the forest thick with oak and evergreen trees. Trail No. 1 is quite scenic as you pass through Joshin Gate, past maples and cedars, to Yakuoin Temple, about 20 minutes from the cable car. Built in 744 to commemorate the Buddhist saint Gyoki, the graceful yet imposing temple is dedicated to the Buddha of healing, and its waters are used by worshipers in their meditations.

The peak is often crowded with picnickers and photo buffs, and understandably so. On clear days, central Tokyo to the east seems to levitate in the distance, while the mountains to the west give a taste of Japan's rugged interior and the majestic Mount Fuji.
Descending on trail No. 6, we will pass Biwa-taki, a delightful waterfall.
When we return to the train station, you may wish to stop at one of the several soba shops near the station. Takahashi-ya, a two-minute walk from the station, offers filling dishes at reasonable prices. When you've had your fill of Mt. Takao, hop on the train and make your way back to Gunma!

[NOTE: The above information is a hodgepodge of heartily plagiarized information previously published in the Lonely Planet "Hiking in Japan" guide and a recent article in the New York Times travel section.]

Location:
Mt. Takao, one hour west of Tokyo. For general info about the place, see the useful Japan Guide website: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3029.html

Directions:
Takao-san is easily reached from Tokyo with two options. Takao-san-guchi 高尾山口 is the end of the Keio line 京王線 from Shinjuku. It takes about an hour and the Keio line may still be running a special for ¥370. Or, take the JR Chuo line 中央線 to JR Takao 高尾 station, then change to the Keio line (¥120) to Takao-san-guchi. The first option is the cheapest. (You may also find alternate means of getting there by checking www.hyperdia.com.) From Takao-san-guchi station it's a short, well-signposted walk to the bottom of the cable-car and the start of the tracks.

Contact Info:
Contact me (Daniel) at goblinrocker@mac.com, 090-7187-0998 if you're interested in coming. Or just show up!