Samurai Guide Sho’s Mt. Takao Hike, Temple & Onsen from Shinjuku

Samurai Guide Sho’s Mt. Takao Hike, Temple & Onsen from Shinjuku

By Discover Western Tokyo

Free cancellation available

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Features

Free cancellation available
8h
Mobile voucher
Instant confirmation
Multiple languages

Overview

A modern-day Samurai, Sho, who has been involved in both railways and mountaineering for over 20 years, skillfully wields a Suica instead of a sword and guides you on a training journey from Shinjuku Station toward Mt. Takao through the seasons.

Full round-trip support.
An intense story born from a small group of up to five.

A 1.5-hour hike leads to the summit of Mt. Takao.
If the weather is clear, Mt. Fuji may appear.
Depending on crowds and weather, you encounter gourmet food in the mountain.
You visit Yakuo-in Temple, then descend by lift.
Heading to a tattoo-friendly hot spring, you enjoy dishes and craft beer
(either the hot spring or dining can be used).

With body and mind restored, returning to Shinjuku Station,
the story of the day quietly comes to a close.

No hiking gear needed; sneakers are fine.
The hot spring comes with 2 towels included—nothing to bring.

Reservations until 7:00 a.m. on the day.
Tour ends at Shinjuku Station at 5:00 p.m. (perfect for evening plans).

Activity location

Statue of Suica Penguin
- 24
- 151-0051, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

Statue of Suica Penguin
- 24
- 151-0051, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan

Check availability

Samurai Guide Sho’s Mt. Takao Hike, Temple & Onsen from Shinjuku

8h
English

Travelers

Languages available

Starting time: 9:30

Price details

P 6,749.29 x 1 AdultP 6,749.29

Paid at activityP 1,233.62

Total

Until Thu, Jan 15

What's included, what's not

Takao Expert: Routes Guidance for sightseeing, hiking trails, and less crowded routes.
Railway Pro Navigation Expert guidance: Shinjuku Maze, Suica/ticket support & transfers.
Mountain Food & Onsen Guide Local food spots, support for hot spring etiquette, customs and dining.
Railway Pro: Delay Support Instant expert rerouting for train delays or service suspensions.
Train fare (Shinjuku ⇄ Takaosanguchi round trip)
Lift fee
Onsen admission
Personal food and drink expenses

Know before you book

Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Ironclad Guidance by a Railway Professional – Your journey begins at the meeting point in Shinjuku, a true urban labyrinth. Sho, a modern samurai with over 20 years of experience in the railway industry, fully supports you with ticket purchasing, Suica usage, navigating the complex Shinjuku Station, choosing the fastest trains, and making smooth transfers; in the event of delays or service disruptions, he immediately proposes alternative routes to guide you forward without confusion.
The Best Route Chosen by 20 Years of Hiking Experience – A guide who knows Mt. Takao inside and out selects the most suitable route based on the day’s weather and your physical condition; with careful pace management and guidance at key points, the route is instantly adjusted during busy periods by switching to relatively quieter, lesser-known paths to ensure a comfortable hike.
From Mountain Cuisine to Hot Springs, and Craft Beer – After the hike, you are guided to locally loved dining spots on the mountain, selected carefully according to crowd conditions; your reward is a tattoo-friendly hot spring with an on-site brewery, where several freshly brewed craft beers are poured directly from the taps, including seasonal selections—an exclusive privilege reserved for those who complete the training. • Alcohol Policy: Craft beer is available only to guests aged 20 and over, in accordance with Japanese law.
A Mark of Training and the Samurai Spirit – What Samurai Guide Sho offers is not spectacle or performance; it is the quiet experience of walking Mt. Takao’s paths with a modern samurai in an indigo haori, sharing words and time together, which forms the true essence of this training, and along the way he will help capture a single photo with your own camera—not as a souvenir, but as a subtle mark of having completed the journey.
Guidelines for Safety and Responsibility – Please take responsibility for your own health, any injuries, and personal belongings during the tour.
Eligibility & Preparation – This tour is for guests aged 18 and over due to hot spring policies. The experience includes approximately 1.5 hours of uphill hiking as well as additional walking, so please wear comfortable shoes. Bringing drinking water, light snacks, a towel, and a change of clothes after the hot spring is recommended. In winter, please dress warmly with proper cold-weather protection. Please bring rain gear in case of rain.
Payments on Site – Most shops and hot spring facilities accept cash, credit cards, and IC cards such as Suica. However, some shops within the Yakuoin Temple grounds (charms, snacks, etc.) may accept cash only. Please be sure to bring some cash.
Flexibility of the Itinerary – Conditions on Mt. Takao change significantly from day to day. Hiking routes and the order of activities may be adjusted depending on weather and crowd levels. Safety is the top priority, and the guide will make the most appropriate decisions based on the day’s conditions.
Rainy or Severe Weather – The tour operates in light rain, though food facilities within the mountain area may be closed. In severe weather, hiking will be canceled and the itinerary will be adjusted to include a round-trip cable car ride, a visit to Yakuoin Temple, a nature-focused museum, and time at the hot spring.
Hot Spring Visit – Entering the hot spring is optional. Guests who choose not to bathe may relax or enjoy meals at the facility. A tattoo-friendly hot spring is used; if it is closed, the visit will be replaced with a nature-focused museum, which may also be closed.
Busy Seasons – During peak seasons such as autumn leaves or cherry blossoms, the return chairlift may be extremely crowded. In such cases, we will walk down via Trail No.1 at a relaxed pace (approximately 30–40 minutes).
Safety & Disclaimer – The organizer cannot be held responsible for injuries, illness, or loss or damage of personal belongings during the tour. Please take responsibility for your own health and safety. Disruptive or unsafe behavior may result in the tour being ended without a refund.

Activity itinerary

Statue of Suica Penguin

Please search “Suica Penguin Statue” on Google Maps for the meeting point. At the break of day, our journey begins at JR Shinjuku Station — New South Gate, before the Suica Penguin statue. Once the gateway of the capital, now a crossroads of countless travelers. Here, our fellowship shall gather. The appointed hour is 9:30 in the morning. As the sun glimmers between towers of glass and steel, the Samurai stands in silence, awaiting his companions. Beneath the great Bus Terminal of Shinjuku — this is where the training begins.

Takaosanguchi Station

1h 10m
Admission ticket not included

Departure from Shinjuku – The Journey Begins 　Together with a samurai well-versed in the ways of the railway, you will ride the “iron horse” (train) for about an hour to reach the entrance of the training ground — Takaosanguchi Station. As the train window frames the passing cityscape, the bustling metropolis gradually gives way to the tranquil mountains. You can buy water or light snacks at the convenience store in front of the station.

Mt. Takaosan Hiking Course

1h 30m

The Waterfall Training Path 　Walk the ancient trail once used for monk training, passing a mystical waterfall. 　Breathe deeply—the spirit of the mountain welcomes you.

Ōmiharashidai Viewpoint (Mt. Takao)

At the Summit – View of Mt. Fuji 　If fortune smiles upon you, behold the distant Mt. Fuji. 　Enjoy a local snack amidst the wind and clouds of Takao’s peak.

Takaosan Yakuo-in Yuki-ji Temple

Temple of Yakuo-in – The Prayer Ritual 　Offer gratitude at the sacred temple and taste local sweets such as dango and matcha ice cream.

Yamagami Station (Chairlift)

20m
Admission ticket not included

Descent by Lift – The Rewarding Breeze A gentle breeze awaits as a blessing granted only to those who have endured the ascent. (In times of heavy crowds, the descent will instead become a 30-minute walk.)

TAKAO36SAUNA

1h 30m
Admission ticket not included

Onsen – The Cleansing Ritual Wash away the fatigue of battle in tattoo-friendly hot springs. Savor local dishes and enjoy draft craft beer — your well-earned reward.

Statue of Suica Penguin

1h
Admission ticket not included

Return to Shinjuku – End of the Samurai Journey 　With renewed body and spirit, return to the city. 　You have walked the path of the modern Samurai.

Location

Activity location

Statue of Suica Penguin
- 24
- 151-0051, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

Statue of Suica Penguin
- 24
- 151-0051, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan

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