The One about Mount Takao in Hachioji Part 9: Yakuou-in Daishi-do Hall and Izuna Gongen-do Hall
The One about Mount Takao in Hachioji Part 8 – Head Temple Takao-san Yakuo-in
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
We are now nearly to the top of Mount Takao with the Okunoin Fudo-do Hall and the Fuji-Sengen-sha Shrine.
I have to admit that I was a bit concerned because it was around 3:15 p.m. and seeing that I have been on this mountain for several hours now perusing the shrines and walking up hill, I wasn’t sure if I could make it to the top and get back before the final cable car leaves Mount Takao back to Takaosanguchi Station.
That meant that these last two, I would only have 5-10 minutes to explore and the rest would be dedicated to Mount Takao.
So, off too Okunoin Fudo-do Hall, I went, going up the stairs and seeing more forest. I then started to know that the hiking boots I brought for this trip, I didn’t put enough time with them because my feet were now in excruciating pain. I knew I should have stayed with my super comfy Saucony’s but my feet were now in pain.
So, close to the top and now I worried about time if I’m going to go much slower. That means, dedicating the trip to walking to the top and spending even less time at these last two locations.
Surprisingly, there was not too much to see with Okunoin Fudo-do Hall compared to Daishi-do Hall.
But it’s still a Tangible Cultural Property in Tokyo and according to the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education, Fudo-do was previously called Goma-do and was located near the current main temple building and later relocated to its present place.
This build was reconstructed around 1910 and is a small hall with a pyramidal roof.
A veranda with railings surrounds it and a 2.17 m wide step-canopy is attached to the east side of the hall.
The hall has an elevated timber floor and Tatami mats at front on both sides. In 2001, the repair was completed and vivid vermilion color on the pillars, veranda and doors were revived. There are no records mentioning the construction year, however, the hall is presumed to be built around the end of the 17th century (1622-1624), judging from the style.
At the rear of the hall are two Raigoubashira (pillars right and left of the Buddhist altar) standing behind an altar made during the same period as the hall. Wood en statues of Fudomyoo (chetaka) and Nidouji (two little bodhisattva) which are believed to have been made before the Muromachi period are enshrined in the later. These statues are Tangible Culturall Property of Tokyo.
I then passed by the Fuji-Sengen-sha Shrine, which was smaller than I expected. A prayer altar but I made the decision to take the quick photo and go straight up Mount Takao.
As the walk became steeper and steeper, I tried to put the pain out of my memory. I was now going by pure adrenaline.
I saw a few people come back from the path and I had to ask, “how much more is left?” and she told me, 30 minutes.
That means, that it’s around 3:30…I have an hour to make it up and make it back.
I was cool with the climb as I have been cycling via e-bike on the toughest incline for the past three years, jogging up stairs, I know I can do this. It was my feet that wasn’t cooperating, but still…I was determined.
I had a pure rush to go as faster up that mountain, no matter how much pain my feet were in.
You’ll start to see signs about flying squirrels and no throwing garbage around the area.
I was getting closer, maybe about 15 minutes more and I started to notice…the sun was setting. I was thinking, “oh crap! The last thing I want to do now is go through these steps in darkness. I need to hurry it up!”.
When I saw the restaurants, I knew now…I made it to the top of Mount Takao.
I looked around and took photos and I was simply happy. but I knew it was not over until I did one last thing (and you have to wait because many others are doing the same thing).
And you just have to take the obligatory photo near the sign… 599.15 Meters (1,965 feet).
But I thought to myself…I got all the way up here, sun is setting, it’s beautiful but I have to get back to get the last cable car to Kiyotaki Station and back to Takaosanguchi Station. I couldn’t enjoy the moment as much as I wanted.
I thought to myself, from the hours I spent on this mountain, would I have done anything different to stay longer. In terms of the areas visited on the mountain, probably not, because it gave me the opportunity to see historical buildings. Gave me a chance to eat at a ramen shop and try Hachioji Ramen and dango.
I experienced a lot on this mountain (as you can see this is part 10 in my blog coverage of Mount Takao).
But I would recommend trying to get an earlier train to Takaosanguchi Station. I left around 11 a.m. from Shinjuku Station, you may want to consider going a few hours early and I would definitely hit the convenience stores to have some snacks and drinks ready before going up. Eat a good meal but most importantly, having shoes that are comfortable and you have completely broken them in.
But back down I went…
Going down Mount Takao was much easier because you aren’t stopping to see any shrines, you are just making the clear walk back and there appeared to be a different path on the way back that I found that got me back much faster.
The only thing that I have a little regret is that there is a longer way back which gets you on a suspension bridge on trail route #4 but I was already low on time. I was able to get back to the cable car around 4:20, with ten minutes to space, but it’s OK because the line to the last cable car was already long.
But I made it back to Takaosanguchi Station in time and while on the train back to Shinjuku Station, I couldn’t but help to see how much work went into making the hike up Mount Takao convenient but also educational and entertaining.
From historical buildings, mythical statues, a monkey park, a wildflower garden and so much more. But also how user friendly it was and ensuring that anyone wanting to go up the mountain, were given concise directions and everything you would want to know about the park, the trees, plants and animals in the vicinity.
But going to Mount Takao was no doubt a bucket list must-experience adventure and with all what I experienced, the adrenaline rush to get to the top and back to the station to take the final cable car and train back to the city.
I will always have these fond memories and like many others who discuss their time through Mount Takao years or decades ago, I’m absolutely thrilled to have experienced it and happy to share my personal experience going up Mount Takao with you.
