Mount Takao is one of the closest natural recreation areas to central Tokyo. It offers beautiful scenery, a temple and walking opportunities and is only 50 minutes from the city.

Considered a sacred mountain, Takaosan has been a centre of mountain worship for more than 1,000 years. Yakuoin, an attractive temple, stands along the trail near the mountain’s summit, and many visitors stop there to pray to Shinto-Buddhist mountain gods (tengu) for good fortune. Statues of the gods, one with a long nose and one with a crow beak, can be found at the temple and also other spots around the mountain.