Takao-san Yakuo-in Temple, Tokyo

Mt. Takao can be reached by train from central Tokyo in about an hour. In 2009, it was selected as a 3 star tourist spot by the “Michelin Green Guide Japon”, so many foreign tourists visit here.
If you use a cable car, you can climb in about an hour, and there are plenty of sightseeing spots such as delicious gourmet and profitable sacred places. Of course, the view from the top of the mountain is amazing.
Mt. Takao is visited by 3 million tourists annually from home and abroad. Although it is located only about an hour from the center of Tokyo, there is still plenty of nature.
The altitude is about 599 meters, and if you use a cable car, you can easily climb it in about an hour. The sacred place “Takao-san Yakuo-in Temple” is dotted with many teahouses, and there are many specialties such as dumplings and tororo soba. The beer garden with a superb view is also very popular in summer. Hiking spot to enjoy from children to adults.
The train is recommended for going to Mt. Takao. Take the Keio Line or Japan Railway Chuo Line from Shinjuku Station in about 1 hour. Get off at Keio Line “Takaosan Exit” station or JR “Takao” station.
Access by car is via the Chuo Expressway Hachioji JCT, get off at Kenoudo Expressway Mt. Takao Interchange, and take Route 20 towards Shinjuku for about 5 minutes.
When you get off the “Takaosan Exit” station on the Keio Electric Railway Takao Line, you can reach the cable car “Kiyotaki” station in about 5 minutes on foot. First, let’s use a cable car with the highest slope in Japan to the middle of the mountain. It runs about 6 minutes one way. While riding, you can enjoy the nature of Mt. Takao.
Walk about 10 minutes from Kasumidai Observatory to get to Johshin Gate. When you pass through the gate, it is a sanctuary. When you make a bow with the intention of entering the sanctuary as you pass through, your heart will tighten.
If you walk for a while, you will come to a split road. The road on the left is Otokozaka (male slope) and the right is Onnazaka (female slope). The male slope has become a stone staircase of the same 108-stage as the number of human passions, it is said to have worldly desires for every climb one stage disappear. The female slope is a gentle slope. It is also recommended to change the way back and forth and enjoy the difference.
Go through the gate and head to the precincts. The large precinct is dotted with many profit spots. Tengu, famous for Mt. Takao, plays a role in protecting Izunagongen. Various kinds of Tengu statues are enshrined in the precincts.
In the main hall, Yakushi Nyorai and Izunagongen are enshrined. Because here and the main shrine is at the heart of being deified Your Buddha and the main deity “Takao-san Yakuo-in Temple”, it is recommended that you always worship.
Don’t miss the splendid shrine that reminds you of the remnants of the main shrine (Izunagongen Hall) Syncretization of Shinto with Buddhism.
When praying, it is said that it will be easier to reach if you first pray for the appreciation of being here and the wishes of all those who want it.

Many worshipers visit as original places of faith

Nature in the suburbs of Tokyo Mt. Takao. It is a place that you can taste sightseeing in nature while it is close to an hour from the city center. It is also recommended for climbing for the first time, as it is easy for small children to climb together. With the ease of climbing at an altitude of 600 meters and the acquisition of the Michelin three star, it is showing great excitement in recent years as Japan’s foremost leisure spot. Although it is such Mt. Takao, it was a miraculous mountain where many worshipers visit as original places of faith.

Tengu faith trace back 600 years ago

Mt. Takao is also known to be popular with Tengu faith (Tengu (long-nosed goblin) and Karasu Tengu (crow-billed goblin)). Tengu has god power and is said to make human wishes and feelings come true with that power. The beginnings of Takao Tengu faith trace back 600 years ago. The statue of the Tengu offered through every corner of Mt. Takao makes us feel its history.

Let’s shake off worldly desires here and climb them one by one

As you climb up the approach path there is a point where you branch to “Otokozaka” (male stairs) and “Onnazaka” (female stairs). The two slopes join again at the climb, but “Onnazaka” is a gentle uphill slope, “Otokozaka” is a steep staircase. The number of stairs in “Otokozaka” is the same as the number of people’s worldly desires, 108 steps. Before worship of Yakuo-in Temple, let’s shake off worldly desires here and climb them one by one.

Gyoki bodhisattva opened this temple in 744

Takao-san Yakuo-in Temple is a temple located in the middle of Mt. Takao. It is one of the Kanto’s three head temples of the Cisan Branch of Shingon Sect along with Naritasan Shinshoji Temple and Kawasaki Daishi. It is reported that Gyoki bodhisattva opened it in 744 by Emperor Shomu’s imperial order as a prayer temple of east country protection. At that time, since Yakushi Nyorai (Healing Buddha) was placed as the main honor, it is called Yakuoin.

The center of the sacred spot of Mt. Takao

Izunagongen is enshrined in the main hall. The beginning of Tengu faith of Mt. Takao comes from this Izunagongen. Tengu is Zuishin (a person who is a guard for a noble man) of Izunagongen and has been deified since ancient times. Here, there is much divine favor including charm against misfortunes, such as sick healing, better luck, school accomplishment, and fire prevention, etc. This is the center of the sacred spot of Mt. Takao and is a place you’d definitely visit.

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