The family and I decided to get out of the city and headed to the mountains for some fresh air. About 45 minutes west of Shinjuku lies Mount Takao in the city of Hachiōji, Tokyo, Japan. It’s hard to believe that all of this nature exists in Tokyo!
There are lots of little shrines on the way to the top of the mountain. There’s a cable car that takes you almost to the top… and since we had some old folks with us on this trip we had to take it. I don’t like heights and the cable car was scary. I’d rather hike it next time.
This was the first thing I saw coming out of the cable car, heading up the path. Not a bad start if I do say so myself.
Some of the trees have been living for thousands of years. This one looks like an octopus and is called tako no ki.
I went for the, “Vertical Tree Hug: Encircle it with your arms while gently pressing your cheek to the trunk being careful not to scratch your face. Squeeze tightly. Sigh deeply. Be one with your tree.”
Lots of little bald guys sit facing outwards around the shrine holding a few yen on their folded hands that people donated. Big earlobes means you’re going to be wealthy! Get some more facts about this mountain here.
Red is the color for “expelling demons and illness.” More about what the color red means in Japanese mythology here.
This guy stands over the water fountain that’s used by all to wash our hands.
Another shrine towards the tippy top of the mountain.
Standing guard – fighting off the evil spirits. Is it just me or does this guy look like Beavis?
And my favorite – a guy with wings and a beak for a mouth holding what appears to be a wrench in his hand.
From Shinjuku take the Chuo Line to the west to Takao Station, change trains, get on the Keio Line to Takaosanguchi Station which is one stop away.
Looks like a very magical place, with the yamabushi, tengu and Jizo statues. The one that looks like Beavis actually look a little like Fudo-Myo-o, though he usually has a rope in his left hand and is surrounded by flames.
This is awesome! I am totally checking this out when I go next spring. Always looking for stuff to do around Tokyo. The guy with the beak in the last photo is a Tengu.
:3
I’m going to do my homework! Thanks for reading!!
Hello my friend~ Thank you for the wonderful photos!
Foreign Cultures were always fascinating for me. It is the Architecture the monuments.
Nature too so different from the Western World.
Much enjoyed viewing,
Zuzanna