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Sightseeing in Metropolitan Takao-Jimba Natural Park

Ruins of Hachioji Castle

Hojo Ujiteru, the third son of Hojo Ujiyasu who was the third lord of the Hojo family, is thought to be the founder of Hachioji Castle, which was constructed from 1582 to 1587. The castle was constructed on Mt. Fukasawa (elevation: 460 meters/1,509 feet) located at the western end of the Kanto Plain where the mountains Hachioji Shiroyama and Fujimidai protrude out onto the plain. Hachioji Castle was built for battles, and it exhibits features characteristic of Japan's era of civil wars, such as multi-level fortifications, crossbar gates, and ruins from battles. An information center, which opened in 2012, shows videos so that visitors can quickly learn about Hachioji Castle.

Ruins of Hachioji Castle

Hot Springs near Mt. Takao

There are many hot spring facilities around Mt. Takao. Some of them offer one-day services, so that you can enjoy hot springs without needing to stay overnight. Some are located directly in front of Takaosanguchi Station. You can enjoy a variety of hot springs and baths, such as outdoor baths, baths where you can sit and enjoy a bubble massage, and cypress baths. Many hikers also like to clean themselves in showers and then soak in a hot bath after hiking. There is also an Italian restaurant named Fumotoya where you can order at the restaurant and enjoy a footbath for free. This area offers many ways for you to enjoy hot springs.

Takao Hot Springs: Gokuraku-yu

TAKAO 599 Museum

TAKAO 599 Museum opened in August 2015 with the concept of being a museum shared by everyone. By showing the colorful ecosystem, history, and culture of Mt. Takao and by providing an environment that allows visitors to experience the mountain, this museum gives visitors opportunities to think about Mt. Takao in the future, 50 to 100 years from now. Visitors can enjoy coming to understand Mt. Takao from various perspectives. The museum also has cafes and terraces where original museum goods can be purchased. It is about a four-minute walk from Takaosanguchi Station on the Keio Takao Line.

TAKAO 599 Museum

Kobotoke Checkpoint Ruins

Kobotoke Checkpoint Ruins is one of the checkpoints of the old road called Koshu Kaido, located near Kobotoke Pass between Musashi Province and Sagami Province. After the Kobotoke Checkpoint was closed, the building was designated as a national historic landmark in 1928. Two natural stones remain in front of the stone monument that was placed in front of a building. It is believed that travelers placed their travel passes on one of the stones, and placed their hands on the other stone while they waited for inspections. Scenes from the old road remain at this spot, which is famous for its beautiful plum blossoms. It is a popular spot for hikers. To reach the ruins, from bus station 1 at the north exit of JR Takao Station take the Keio South Bus bound for Kobotoke and get off at Komagino.

Kobotoke Checkpoint Ruins

Mt. Jinba

Mt. Jinba is located at the border between Hachioji City in Tokyo and Sagamihara City in Kanagawa Prefecture. Its height is 855 meters (2,805 feet). At the summit, where you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view, there are three teahouses. The mountain is designated as a Kanagawa prefectural natural park called Jinba Sagamiko Natural Park. Because of its impressive view, it has been designated as 100 Best Views of Mt. Fuji in Kanto,50 Best Views in Kanagawa, and 88 Views of Hachioji. The cherry blossom trees from Meio Pass to the ridges of Mt. Jinba all bloom together in late April. To reach the mountain, from Keia Takao Station or the north exit of JR Takao Station take the bus bound for Jinba-kogen-shita. Get off at the final stop (about 40 minutes). From the bus stop, it's a 90-minute walk to the summit.

Mt. Jinba

Mt. Kagenobuyama

Mt. Kagenobuyama is located at the border between Hachioji City in Tokyo and Sagamihara City in Kanagawa Prefecture. Its height is 727 meters (2,385 feet). It is nearly at the center of the traverse route between Mt. Takao and Mt. Jinba. On a fine day, from the mountain's summit, you can see the skyscrapers of Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, and Roppongi in Tokyo, the Tokyo Bay, the artificial island Umihotaru connecting to the tunnel under Tokyo Bay, and Yokohama Landmark Tower. The summit is expansive and contains teahouses that become crowded with many hikers on weekends. To reach the mountain, from the north exit of JR Takao Station take the Keio Bus bound for Kobotoke. Get off at the final stop (about 20 minutes). From the bus stop, it's a 60-minute walk.

Mt. Kagenobuyama

Sake Brewing

Sake brewing has been popular in Hachioji from olden times. The area is well suited to sake brewing because of its relatively cold climate and abundantly available water. A town revitalization project is underway to promote the local production of rice for local consumption and to revitalize the area with locally produced sake. The sake called Takao no Tengu is made from rice planted and harvested in paddy fields of Hachioji by local people and is brewed in Hachioji. It is available only in restaurants and stores in Hachioji City.

Local sake of Mt. Takao Takao no Tengu

Blueberries

The cultivation of blueberries in the Ongata area has given rise to a community of blueberry growers. Local people started planting blueberry trees as part of a Hachioji City program called “Program to Make a Blueberry Village.” The area, the Ongata Blueberry Community, has become a tourist attraction for blueberry picking. The best season to harvest the large, organically produced blueberries is from mid-July to mid-September. Visitors can enjoy picking blueberries at various farms during the high season.

Blueberries

Ukai Toriyama, a Local Grill

Ukai Toriyama is a restaurant that has a Japanese garden with a nostalgic feel to it. The restaurant is located in the quiet mountain community of Okutakao, which has a number of pleasant, clean streams. Enjoy grilling food on charcoal in an open hearth, and enjoy the taste of Japanese food while relaxing with lush nature in the background and forgetting about the daily hustle and bustle of the city. From the entrance to the private rooms, guests walk through a Japanese garden that contains pebble-filled paths, bridges, waterwheels, ponds with colored koi fish, and giant trees. The restaurant entertains guests with exquisite food grilled with charcoal on a hearth, with beautiful nature in the background. Free shuttle buses to and from the restaurant operate from Takaosanguchi Station.

Ukai Toriyama

Mt. Kobotoke-Shiroyama and Nameko Mushroom Soup

The nameko mushroom soup served at Shiroyama Chaya, a long-established restaurant at Mt. Kobotoke-Shiroyama, has exquisite yet simple soy sauce-based flavor. This is a signature dish of the restaurant, which has been serving it for more than 40 years. The hot nameko mushroom soup in winter is a special soup that warms up the body and invigorates the spirit. The tofu in the nameko soup is the product of Mineo Tofu Shop from the area Uratakao. Mt. Kobotoke-Shiroyama is the branch point for the route that traverses the mountains, from the summit of Mt. Takao to Mt. Jinba and Mt. Kagenobuyama. It is on the route leading to Lake Sagami. Take a quick break at Shiroyama Chaya before enjoying the rest of your hike.

Mt. Kobotoke-Shiroyama: Nameko mushroom soup

Surusashi Tofu

Mineo Tofu Shop was established in 1958. The tofu is made using the high quality groundwater of Mt. Takao. Yose tofu (tofu without water surrounding it) is made entirely from soybeans produced in Japan. It contains more soymilk and delicious water than momen tofu (firm tofu). The lineup of Mineo Tofu Shop includes standard products such as momen tofu and yose tofu, as well as okara (soy pulp) donuts which are limited in quantity, fried tofu, deep-fried tofu, yose fry, ganmodoki (fried tofu fritter containing vegetables), soymilk, and soymilk caramels. If you buy yose tofu and a sauce for cold tofu, you will be provided with a spoon so you can enjoy it in the store. Mineo Tofu Shop is located in front of the Surusashi bus stop of Keio Bus. This bus stop is at the north exit of Takao Station and is for buses bound for Kobotoke.

Surusashi tofu

Tama Forest Science Garden

The Tama Forest Science Garden is a test and research facility for the forestry and lumber industries. You can view the garden for a small entrance fee. Visitors can enjoy watching and learning about the different seasons and about what lives in the forests, and can enjoy cherry blossoms in spring. The eight-hectare cherry blossom reserve forest has about 1,400 cherry blossom trees gathered from all over Japan. The trees include species from the Edo period (1603 to 1868), and a cloned cherry tree designated as a national monument. Guided garden tours are also available. The guides explain the flora and fauna of forests, how to distinguish trees, the features of different seasons, and the functions of forests.

Tama Forest Science Garden

Trout Fishing

There are many trout fishing ponds along the Asa River, which flows at the foot of Mt. Takao, and along the Kita-Asa River, which flows at the foot of Mt. Jinba next to Mt. Takao. You can catch a variety of fish in the fishing ponds, including rainbow trout, yamame (a type of salmon), iwana (a type of char), kajika (Japanese fluvial sculpin), and ugui (big-scaled redfin). After you finish fishing, staff can prepare the fish so that you can enjoy them at the attached BBQ facility. Children can enjoy fishing safely, because the fishing ponds are in supervised environments of natural rivers.

Trout fishing

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