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Worth checking out when at Mt. Takao
Hiking Mount Takao is such an enjoyable experience, in part because of the interesting spots to stop at along the way up. Yakuo-in Temple is one such spot, with a history that dates back to 744. There are a number of different events and festivals held at the temple throughout the year (you can see more about that here: https://www.takaosan.or.jp/english/events.html) so if you can time your visit with one of those, even better!
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on Aug 6
Shugendo lore within easy reach of Tokyo
When my visitors show curiosity about Buddhism and Shugendo lore, I take them on a trip to Mount Takao which is surprisingly accessible from central Tokyo. Yakuoin and the mountain are situated within Meiji no Mori Takao Quasi-National Park which straddles semi-tropical Tokyo and the temperate rainforest of Okutama, so it's rich in all kinds of wildlife. I usually take my guests on the hike up the trails and return on the ropeway. The Shingon Buddhist temple complex is fascinating for its connections to tengu lore. On different trips to the mountain, I observed the goma fire ritual at the temple and participated in firewalking. Yakuoin is one of the few places in Tokyo where you may see yamabushi visiting and practicing their ascetic tradition.
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on Jan 8
Long nose goblins with wings await you at mountain top temple!
People in the Tokyo area need no introduction to Yakuoin temple at the top of Mt Takao. It is one of the most loved and revered temples in Tokyo's Hachioji suburbs. Steeped in history with a fair dollop of superstition, millions of Japanese and foreigners alike make pilgrimage to Yakuoin annually. The trek to the temple is not an easy one, but it is well worth the journey. To make the journey easier there is a cable car and chair lifts that go part of the way, if you don't fancy hiking up to 500 metres above sea level! You still need to walk from the station and take quite a few steep steps up to the temple once you get into the temple grounds. The temple grounds have some very famous statues of "tengu" or long nosed goblins. They also have statues of beaked tengu. There are a number of other features on the ground, too many to list, but one of my favourites (apart from the stunning temple itself) is the "geta" shrine. The temple is intricately detailed with wooden carvings of dragons and animals. Entry into the temple grounds is free. Cable car and chair lifts are charged. Hiking trails are free.
genkidesu
on Aug 26