When life in Tokyo gets a bit too hectic, Mt Takao or Takaosan, that extraordinary densely wooded space offers a place to get away from it all, an almost instant panacea. This protected lush green area that is just 50 km from the city centre is one of the most easily accessible recreational areas to the people of Tokyo.
A network of well marked hiking trails, some paved, others narrow nature trails, allow hikers to access the slopes, valleys and the summit of Mt Takao. Views from the top of the 599 meter mountain include parts of Tokyo, Mt Fuji and on clear days all the way to Yokohama. For those keen to catch the views or just take a hike to the top of the mountain, a funicular and chair lift is available to assist them up to the half way mark. For others who prefer to do it the hard way, three trails take them to the top in about one and a half hours.
Mt Takao has been considered a scared place for thousands of years and is closely linked with Japanese folklore. A Shinto Buddhist Temple dedicated to the mountain gods stand near the peak. Visitors pray to the gods for good health and fortune. Statues of the gods, one with a crow’s beak and the other with a long nose are found in the temple and in shrines scattered around the mountainside. The mountain also boasts a diversity of plant and animal life among which are 1,200 varieties of plants, centuries old cedar trees, mammals including monkeys and wild boar and insects.
The mountain can be crowded especially during weekends and during the many special events that take place here. Interesting events celebrated annually include the first sunrise on the 1st of January, listening to birds in mid-May, listening to crickets in mid-September, the Autumn Festival in October and the Maple Festival at the end of November to celebrate the changing colours of its foliage. Over two million visit the mountain each year to enjoy the shade of its trees in summer, visit the beer garden that stays open late and offers an all you can eat buffet, marvel at the panoramic views and admire the beauty of its autumn foliage.
Catering to the specific needs of long stay business and leisure clients Somerset Azabu East Tokyo offers comprehensively equipped serviced apartments Tokyo in studio and one bedroom layouts. The convenient location close to transportation links and the city’s major shopping, entertainment and recreational areas is one of the attractions of this serviced apartment Tokyo.
Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Caliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered.
