Mt Takao one of Kanto's designated Recreation Forests

Mt. Takao is one of the Kanto Region’s designated Recreation Forests, located within Tokyo’s countryside at the southeastern edge of the Chichibu Mountains. This 599-meter peak offers a rare blend of accessibility and deep natural richness. 

The forest is home to an impressive variety of plant life, where warm‑temperate evergreen trees meet cool‑temperate deciduous species, creating a landscape with remarkable biodiversity. According to the Kanto Region National Forest Management Office   there are more than 1,600 plant varieties, 25 species of mammals, 70 species of birds, and thousands of insects on Mt Takao. 

Cultural heritage is woven into the forest as well. Yakuo‑in Temple, founded in 744 C.E., sits near the center of the Recreation Forest and has long been a place of worship, ascetic practice, and cedar‑lined pilgrimage paths. 

The choice of well-maintained trails, seasonal scenery, nature and bird watching as well as cable-car access and additional facilities such as shrine and the monkey park, make Mt Takao a popular recreation forest in the Kanto plain, for both residents and visitors alike.