On June 6, 2017, Jody and I decided to visit Mt. Takao which was relatively close to Hachioji by train. Mount Takao is a mountain in the city of Hachiōji, Tokyo, Japan. It is protected within Meiji no Mori Takao Quasi-National Park. Standing 599 metres (1,965 ft) tall and located within an hour of downtown Tokyo, it is a popular hiking spot, with eight hiking courses and more than 2.5 million annual visitors. The Tama Forest Science Garden is also located at the mountain's base. Mount Takao is closely associated with tengu, minor kami from Japanese folklore, and the daitengu Naigubu. A Buddhist temple, Takaosan Yakuōin Yūkiji, is located on the mountain. Visitors to Mount Takao can choose to start climbing from the base, or take a funicular or ropeway ride halfway up the mountain. That is what Jody and I chose to do and it was a VERY smart choice. We did walk down from the top and that was ardous by itself due to the steepness of the paved roadway and the number it did on our feet, particularly our toes. Walking up it looks incredibly difficult.
Mt. Takao is known for lots of flying squirrels, as this little sculptured "Rocky" who greeted us at the base.
We took the open roapway ride half-way up the mountain (notice no arm rails in front). It was quite a fun ride and VERY long.
Rubbing the octopus for "good luck."
A little child ringing the shrine's bell for "good luck."
One of the many sets of stairs we encountered in our climb to the top of Mt. Takao, not to mention the numerous shrines.
Japan is preparing BIG TIME for the 2020 Olympics by renovating their important shrines and temples.
Notice the dog-like creature running between his legs with the tail out the back and the head in the front.
We were just walking along going from temple to temple and I spied this little guy on a fence post. Well, naturally I had to take him home.
We made it!
Looks almost like Middle Earth.
Jody having fun with her camera.
And now we start our long trek down Mt. Takao.
What fun - a suspension bridge.
What a beautiful green forest.
Still pretty high up and a long way to go. Man, did our feet hurt when we hit bottom.
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