Mount Takao with Kids: A Family Guide to Tokyo's Easiest Mountain

Is Mount Takao Good for Kids?

Yes. Mount Takao is a 599-metre mountain in Hachioji, on the western edge of Tokyo, and it is where many Tokyo children climb their first mountain.

A cable car and a chairlift take you halfway up, the main trail is wide and partly paved, and there are toilets, snack stands and a temple along the way. On a clear day you can see central Tokyo and, to the west, Mt. Fuji.

Choose it when your children need a day of fresh air between museums and shopping streets, and do not expect a wilderness hike. On weekends and in autumn the main trail is busy, and you will share it with school groups and Tokyo families.

How to Get to Mount Takao from Tokyo

Take the Keio Line from Shinjuku to Takaosanguchi Station, the last stop. Direct trains take about 50 minutes, so there is no need to change.

From Takaosanguchi, Kiyotaki Station, where the cable car starts, is about a 5-minute walk.

Mt. Takao Discount Ticket. Keio sells a ticket that combines the return train fare with a discounted cable car or chairlift ride. From Shinjuku it costs the following.

Ticket from Shinjuku	Adult	Child
Train return + cable car or chairlift return	¥1,450	¥740
Train return + cable car or chairlift one way	¥1,090	¥560

Buy it from the ticket machines at any Keio or Inokashira Line station except Takaosanguchi itself. It is not sold from December 31 to January 3.

On weekends and holidays, the reserved-seat Mt.TAKAO train runs between Shinjuku and Takaosanguchi. The discount ticket covers the fare, and the seat reservation is bought separately.

If you are on a JR pass, you can take the JR Chuo Line to Takao Station and change to the Keio Line for one stop. With a stroller and children, the direct Keio train is simpler.

If you pay by IC card instead, each child aged 6 to 11 needs a child card for half fare. Our guide to Suica and PASMO for tourists explains where to buy one.

Mt. Takao Cable Car and Chairlift Fares and Hours

The cable car and the chairlift run side by side from the foot of the mountain to about halfway up, and both cost the same. Both top stations lead onto Trail 1.

	Cable car	Chairlift
Ride time	About 6 minutes	About 12 minutes
Adult (12+)	¥490 one way, ¥980 return	¥490 one way, ¥980 return
Child (6 to 11)	¥250 one way, ¥500 return	¥250 one way, ¥500 return
Hours	From 8:00, every 15 minutes	9:00 to 16:30 (May to Nov), to 16:00 (Dec to Apr)

Last cable car. It depends on the month, from 17:15 to 17:30 in winter, 17:45 to 18:00 from September to November, and up to 18:30 on spring and summer weekends.

During the summer Beer Mount season, it runs until 21:15.

Children under 6. Children under 6 who have not started primary school ride free, but only one per paying adult or child. The second pays the child fare.

This is stricter than the rule on Tokyo's trains, where two ride free.

Paying. Cash, IC cards (Suica, PASMO) and contactless credit cards are accepted. One contactless credit card pays for one person only, so with a family, buy tickets at the ticket window or machine.

Which one? The cable car is enclosed, holds up to 135 people, and climbs the steepest cable car gradient in Japan. The chairlift is a two-seat open chair with a view of the forest, but there is nowhere to put a stroller or bags on your lap.

With toddlers, take the cable car. With children who are old enough to sit still beside you, the chairlift is the one they will remember.

Which Mt. Takao Trail Is Best for Kids?

Trail 1 is the trail for families. It is the main route to the summit and the only trail with toilets along the way, and it passes Yakuo-in temple, the octopus-shaped cedar, the monkey park and the snack stands. Ride up halfway and walk the rest.

Trail	Length	Toilets	With children
Trail 1 (Omotesando)	3.8 km	5	The family route, wide, partly paved, all the sights
Trail 4 (Suspension bridge)	1.5 km	None	A forest path with a suspension bridge, good for 7+
Trail 6 (Biwa Falls)	3.3 km	2 (Kiyotaki, summit)	Follows a stream, rougher and wet after rain
Inariyama	3.1 km	None	A ridge with views, steps and roots

Trails 2, 3 and 5 are shorter loops around the middle of the mountain and the summit. Trail 4 branches off Trail 1 above the cable car and rejoins it near the summit, so you can go up one way and come back the other, over the suspension bridge.

How Long Does It Take to Climb Mount Takao?

From the top of the cable car, the summit is roughly 40 minutes on Trail 1 at an adult's pace. Walking Trail 1 the whole way from the foot of the mountain takes about 1 hour 40 minutes up and 1 hour 20 minutes down.

With small children, plan for half as long again, plus stops.

A half day with children can run like this.

1. Arrive at Takaosanguchi by 9:00, before the cable car queue builds.
2. Cable car up (6 minutes), then walk Trail 1 past the monkey park to Yakuo-in (about 20 to 30 minutes).
3. Continue to the summit for the view and a picnic.
4. Walk back down to the cable car, ride down, and have lunch near the station.

Allow five to six hours door to door from central Tokyo.

Things to Do on Mount Takao with Kids

With children, the best things on Mount Takao are the cable car or chairlift, the tengu statues at Yakuo-in, the monkey park and the view from the summit.

Yakuo-in temple

Yakuo-in is a Buddhist temple on Trail 1, founded in the 8th century and a centre of mountain worship. It is known for its tengu, the long-nosed and crow-beaked mountain guardians whose statues stand around the halls, and children enjoy spotting them.

Keep voices low at the halls, because people come here to pray.

The Monkey Park and Wild Plant Garden

Three minutes' walk from the top of the cable car, the Monkey Park keeps a troop of Japanese macaques, and the ticket includes the wild plant garden next door. Admission is ¥600 for adults (junior high and up) and ¥300 for children aged 3 and up, rising to ¥700 and ¥350 in November.

Opening hours and closing days change by month, so check the park's site before you go.

The summit

The summit is a flat open area with benches, toilets and a visitor centre. On clear winter mornings you can see Mt. Fuji to the west.

If Fuji is what your children most want to see, a Mt. Fuji day trip from Tokyo is the surer bet.

Takao 599 Museum

At the foot of the mountain, 4 minutes from Takaosanguchi Station, this small museum shows the animals and plants of Mount Takao. Entry is free, and it is open 8:00 to 17:00 from April to November and 8:00 to 16:00 from December to March.

Go there while you wait for a queue to shrink, or on a wet morning.

Best Time to Visit Mount Takao with Kids

Spring (April to May) and autumn (October to November) are the most comfortable seasons. Autumn leaves usually peak in mid to late November, which is also the most crowded time of the year.

The cable car queue can be long, and there is no way to reserve a time. Go on a weekday and arrive before 9:00.

Summer is hot and humid at the foot of the mountain, and the paved sections of Trail 1 soak up the heat. The Beer Mount terrace near the top of the cable car opens on summer evenings, which is why the cable car runs late in that season.

Winter is clear and cold, and the best time to see Mt. Fuji from the summit. The chairlift closes at 16:00 from December to April.

On a mountain day, that means keeping a plan B in the city. If the forecast turns on the morning, Mount Takao is the stop to drop, not the one to push through.

Strollers, Clothes and What to Bring

Strollers. The cable car takes strollers, and the top station has a lift. Beyond it, Trail 1 has slopes and stone steps, so a baby carrier is easier than a stroller above Yakuo-in.

Kiyotaki Station has coin lockers, and the station office will keep a stroller for ¥500 when it has space (it may refuse on crowded days).

Clothes. Trainers are fine for Trail 1 if you ride up. If you plan to walk down, or take Trail 4 or 6, wear proper shoes with grip.

Bring a layer, because the summit is cooler than Shinjuku.

Bring. Water, snacks, rain gear, a change of clothes for small children, hand towels, and some cash for snack stands. There are toilets at the stations, along Trail 1 and at the summit.

Mount Takao works as a day on its own, or as part of a longer family trip planned around your children. If you would like a guide and a route that fits nap times and little legs, see our custom private tours.

For a first day in central Tokyo, our Tokyo private tour with kids covers Asakusa, the Imperial Palace gardens and Tokyo Tower. For more ideas around the city, see things to do in Tokyo with kids and the big playground at Showa Memorial Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mount Takao suitable for young children?

Yes. Ride the cable car halfway up and walk Trail 1, the wide main trail with toilets and snack stands. From the cable car, the summit is about 40 minutes at an adult's pace. With toddlers, bring a baby carrier rather than a stroller.

How much is the Mt. Takao cable car?

Adults pay ¥490 one way and ¥980 return. Children aged 6 to 11 pay ¥250 and ¥500. The chairlift costs the same. One preschool child per paying passenger rides free, and the second pays the child fare.

How long does it take to hike Mount Takao?

About 1 hour 40 minutes up Trail 1 from the foot of the mountain, or about 40 minutes from the top of the cable car, at an adult's pace. Plan more time with small children.

How do I get to Mount Takao from Shinjuku?

Take the Keio Line from Shinjuku to Takaosanguchi, the last stop, in about 50 minutes. The Mt. Takao Discount Ticket from Shinjuku, with a cable car return, costs ¥1,450 for adults and ¥740 for children.

Can you see Mt. Fuji from Mount Takao?

Yes, from the summit on clear days, most often on winter mornings. In summer, haze and cloud usually hide it.

When is the best time to visit Mount Takao?

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable. Mid to late November brings the autumn leaves and the biggest crowds, so go on a weekday and arrive before 9:00.

Sources

https://www.takaotozan.co.jp/timeprice/
https://www.takaotozan.co.jp/course/
https://www.takaotozan.co.jp/question/
https://www.takaotozan.co.jp/trafic/
https://www.keio.co.jp/global/tickets/discount/
https://www.keio.co.jp/assets/pdf/global/tickets/discount/price_takao.pdf
http://takao-monkey-park.jp/
https://www.takao599museum.jp/about/