The One about Mount Takao in Hachioji Part 4 – The Mount Takao Monkey Park and Wild Flower Garden
The One about Mount Takao in Hachioji Part 3 – What to do at Kiyotaki Station
The One about Mount Takao in Hachioji Part 2 – On the Way to Kiyotaki Station
The One about Mount Takao in Hachioji Part 1 – Arriving at Takaosanguchi Station
In part 5 of my Mount Takao series, I now go into what happens when you leave the Mount Takao Monkey Park and Wild Flower Garden.
From this point on, you will see interesting sculptures that look creepy but are there to protect the area, as well as monkey signs telling you not to litter and little orbs which you find people rubbing (which I’m guessing, it means for good luck). While I wish I knew what the inscriptions were on the rocks and signs, unfortunately my kanji skills are limited to a few hundred characters.
But after the first ten minutes from leaving the monkey park, you will see the following.
You will see a gate known as “Takaosan Yakuoin Joshinmon” (which translates to Takao Yakuoin Purification Gate). The decision is to go on the path straight up or be daring and go to steps on the right. If you go up the steps to the right, it will take you to the park known as Shinpenyama (Divine Mountain), go straight, you are on path to see more trees, signs, statues and more.
You’ll see a small Shinto shrine known as Jinbendo.
It’s a very small shrine but it will be the first Shinto Shrine to see after passing the purification gate (Takaosan Yakuoin Joshinmon).
A sculpture of Kukai (Kobo Daishi), famous for establishing the Shingon Sect of Buddhism in Japan during the 8th century. This is the second statue of Kukai that I have seen since visiting Nisihiarai Daishi in Adachi.
You will approach an area, where you can go through a rock that will take you to another Budhhist area known as Busshari Hoanto. This has a lot of Buddhist statues for one to see but it’s a choice.
You can continue on path, But you’ll need to make a decision, go up those stairs (known as Otokozaka – For Men) or go right (Onnazaka).
If you go right, you can access the temple, go left on those many stairs and you continue on the path.
I went left via the stairs and once you walk on the path… I was stoked because it led to a rest center with food, snacks and a restaurant!
I will post about the rest section in part 6 but before I end this blog post…
About 30 minutes after walking, you start to see how the incline makes things a bit harder and hopefully those who are considering on going up the mountain, I hope you have purchased good shoes and not do this wearing slippers or hard shoes.
This is no doubt a workout!
This stretch is rather interesting because I have walked many miles, I work out, I run, I cycle and yet, I was starting to get gassed while walking. Not sure if it’s the lack of sleep or the jet lag or didn’t eat enough, but still, I was amazed as I walked this stretch and was looking forward to see if there is another rest area with restaurants.
Looking at the sign above, it looks like you are so close to the top, but don’t be deceived. It looks short but there is actually much more walking to do, especially the best shrines are awaiting you on top.
So, wear comfortable shoes and if you plan to do the hike, prepare yourself by walking up stairs, walking several miles and get your legs and feet ready!
