Last month, I was lucky to get a day off of work on a beautifully sunny day.
So my best friend and I decided to head for the mountains. Or THE mountain, in this case. What I mean by that is, we were headed for probably the most popular mountain in Tokyo…Mount Takao!
I heard there are crowds of people climbing it on the weekends, so we went on a weekday. It’s close (only an hour by train from Shinjuku), it’s convenient (you can hike or take the rail/lift), and it has multiple trails to choose from so I can understand its popularity.
It also offers a beautiful museum at the foot of the mountain, Takao 599 Museum.
The museum just opened this summer. The displays are full of beautiful creatures and plants that you can find on Mount Takao. I also learned fun facts, such as Mount Takao is one of the top three insect habitats in Japan. So it’s a treasure trove of critters (which we soon found was true).
There’s also a nature wall which exhibit taxidermy animals and birds. I was surprised to learn that there were so many animals living in Mount Takao. We were also lucky and got to see the projection mapping on the nature wall. It was very cleverly made, you’ll definitely want to see how all the animals play into it 🙂
Personally, I was drawn to the insect display. Growing up next to the woods, I used to be fascinated by the lives of various critters. They really are beautiful, the more closely you look.
One of the great things about this museum is that it has a lawn. That’s right, grass humans can actually enjoy (if you live in Tokyo, you’ll know it’s a rare thing)! We stopped by to just sit and stretch for a bit after our hike back down the mountain. It felt amazing. There’s also a cafe inside the museum, which sounds perfect for the chilly days.
All in all, I think this is a great place to stop by for anyone visiting Mount Takao, especially if it’s your first time!
Here are some photos:
It’s only 390 yen from Shinjuku on the Keio Line.
The new Takao Yamaguchi station, designed by Kengo Kuma.
Love the high ceiling and natural light.
So many animals living on the mountain…even a monkey!
The projection mapping was really beautiful (you can’t really tell from these photos).
Nuts galore.
The cafe and the free-use sitting area.
Next up, photos from Mount Takao 🙂
TAKAO 599 MUSEUM
3-2435 Takao-machi Hachioji-shi, Tokyo JAPAN
東京都八王子市高尾町2435番3
TEL: 042 665 6688
HOURS: April to November 8:00am-5:00pm
December to March 8:00am-4:00pm
Kaori Square Feet 
Your friend was wearing the green flannel, right? Who is the girl in the stripped shirt? Just some random stranger? 😉
In all seriousness, I have only been to Takao once. I was on my old motorcycle and stopped around the entrance to the hiking rails and the ropeway. I really should go to Mt. Takao someday but I guess I am a bit lazy. Maybe we should plan a “hike” with Ru…
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This museum looks so modern and neat! I had never heard about it before, but I would like to go there someday when I go back to Japan 🙂
Mt. Takao sounds very familiar indeed, but why is it so popular? 🙂
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I would love to go to Mount Takao again (on a week day!) but I'm not sure Ru would consider it a mountain. Ha ;P
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It's very popular because it's so convenient to get to from Tokyo and the facilities are starting to become more accommodating towards visitors. I actually heard an onsen will open at the foot of the mountain soon, too! 😀
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PS: Have you finished your studies in Kyushu already?
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Guess you need a day off for that then. Ru probably wouldn't mind too much. It isn't a mountain but going to one of the side trails may be nice.
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