Koyo viewing in Takao Mountains

"Koyo"  is the Japanese word for leaves color change  – during the Autumn season in Japan the leaves of various shrubs ,grasses and  trees (mainly Mapple trees and Japanese Larch, Rowan, Ginko ) changes their color from green to yellow, orange, red and makes an spectacular view.  And, naturally all forested mountains become tourists hot spots for autumn color viewing . The changes don’t happen in all the places at the same time though  - it occurs over more than two months across Japan .It starts usually in late September at high altitudes of mountain areas, where temperatures are cooler, and on the northern island of Hokkaido – after that it descends  down to  the plain areas towards south of Japan.

Mount Takao (599m), the densely wooded mountain, is one of the closest natural recreation areas to central Tokyo. During the late November the mountain becomes one of Tokyo's most popular koyo (autumn foliage) spot .  Takaosan (Mount Takao) and the surrounding mountain areas also offer attractive hiking opportunities with many well marked hiking trails.  It is also the home to an attractive Buddhist  temple-Yakuoin. 

Last Weekend(13^th Nov) I headed for Takao-san  for Koyo Viewing. My original plan was to hike from Mt Takao to Mt.  Jimba. The trail distance is 15 km which can take approximately 7 hrs.
So, as planned, I started on last  Sunday morning from Mitaka station and after around half an hour journey through JR Chuo-line, reached  Takao-station . 

There I changed the train from Chuo-line to Keio Line and ride one more station to Takaosanguchi Station, the base of Mt. Takao.

The hiking trails start right from the Takaosanguchi Station –Just in front of it there’s a big  board displayed with a detailed map.

Initially, I was confused after coming out the Takaosanguchi station. Then I just followed the crowds and took the path towards right.  I could see the forested hills and the nice coloring of leaves ... 

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After around 5 minutes walk I reached the cable car station -- There is a cablecar and chair lift leading half way, up the mountain top.I saw a very big queue for cable car riding.

 I checked the map of various trails to go to the top of Mt Takao from there. I had read that there’re 6 trails to climb up Mt Takao.  But, actually, there are 3 trails to go to the top by walk from the cable car station near Takoguchisan - rest are the diversion of trail No1 . Trail No1 is the longest route which goes through the famous Buddhist temple and lot of shops/eateries are present on the wayof taril no1. TrailNo6 and Inariyama trails are relatively shorter (approx. 80-90 mins) . In the previous night,   I had read a blog, where the writer mentioned about this Inariyama trails – and, I had already decided to follow it.

The starting points of these two trails-heads are bit confusing. The Trail No 1 is pretty obvious as it is the continuation of the same path coming from the Takaosanguchi station.And, the left side of station is the starting point of trailNo6 (left means your left side, If you stand in front of the cable car station). Just  few meters walk on the Trail no6,  you can see  the left diversion with built-in steps ,the starting point of Inariyama trails. Of course, there’s direction displayed in a wooden frame, but it’s all in Japanese. 

 As decided, I followed this  Inariyama trails.

The trail goes through the woods and I could see the Autumn color changes on the way – “Yoko” had just started …so, still there’re lot of greeneries left..The previous night, it rained. So, the ground was bit slippery..Also,  this trail  was bit steep with uneven path  and the exposed Tree-roots on some places made the path more uneven and bit risky.

Anyway, I reached Mt Inariyama(408m) view point, from where I could see nice forest view below with Autumn color.

 

From this point the path was little bit flat and then gradually becoming steeper through the woods.

In one point I found 2 deviations, both left and right side, with direction given in the wooden board, rightside for Yakuoin temple and left side for Mt. Kobotoke Shiromaya. 

I think, thats’s the point where the Inariyama trail intersects the Trail no5 .  Anyway, I continued and by 12 o clock I reached the top of Mt. Takao. .

There  were so many people that it's looked like a congested area of a fish market.

 But I found couple of tress there at the top whose leaves turned into full red making it really a spectacular view. 

I moved around the top and then went inside the Tourist center (Takao Visitor center). There I got a map in English with trails details. The helpful lady, sitting there, informed me that the sunset time for the day would be around 4:30pm and it would be very difficult to reach Mt. Jimba before sunset. And from Mt. Jimba , the descending  to the nearest bus-stop would again take around 90mins. So, she advised me to go till Mt. Kagenobu(727m) instead and comeback which would take 2+2 =4 hours approximately. I felt bit dejected having less time and cursed myself for not waking up early. (Well, waking up early on Sunday is really a very tough task for me.) Anyway, I decided to go till Mt Kagenobu first and then to plan accordingly. There’re lots of path going down from Mt. Takao and after a search I found the board for Mt Kagenobu in one of the exit path. 

 

And, around 12:30, I started the journey to Kagenobu from Mt. Takao. –

Within 10 mins, I reached Momijidai, a view point and there also I found lot of people –I changed my jeans to tracksuit there for faster walk. Because of the previous day's rain, path was full muddy and slippery — couple of places I found broken tree blocking the path - So I had to walk carefully.

Then another 15 minutes I reached another nice view point, Itchodaira and i captured some nice  views in my camera.

This is the place where I had my lunch..and i took some rest and then started again.

From here another half an hour walk through the woods I reached to Mt. Kobotake Shiroyama(670m) at around 2 pm. 

I saw only one restaurant on the top. Lot of people there having beer,noodles, soups or just relaxing sitting here and there.But, the crowd was far less compared to Mt Takao. 

From here, I changed my plan and path.  I thought , instead of going to Mt. Kagenobu, it’s better to go another direction towards Sagami lake. Because,  I ‘ll definitely come again for Mt. Jimba and on the way I ‘ll cover Mt.  Kagenobu,  anyway. So I took some rest here , took some snaps and then headed for Lake Sagami along the "Tokai Nature Trail". 

The Path was descending down through the big tall woods.

On this path I met one Japanese lady, Kazuko Nisttishita who also came for Mt Jimba but because of time shortage going to lake Sugami- instead. It was really very helpful for me as Kazuko-san guided me the rest of the path till Sugami-station.

Anyway, around 3:30 we came out of the Forest area and crossed a residential area towards the trail for Lake Sugami.

 

We were again further descending towards the lake Sagami (“Sagamiko” in Japanese). From the top, I captured the nice spectacular view of my next destination: the Sagami Lake and the hanging bridge over it.

 On the way down, there was a beautiful waterfall .

After around 10 minutes walk we reached the hanging bridge over lake sagami.

 

And the purpose of my trip became successful in this place. The best of the "Koyo", I found in the forest area surrounding the Lake Sagami. 

We all captured those beautiful  coloring in our camera.then proceeded towards Sagami station. it's a way up for around 5 min to reach a big road along the Sagami river.

Another 5 mins walk through this road and we reached the Sagami town. A short walk inside the town and we reached the Sagami Station aroun 4 pm.

Overall , it's a nice refreshing trip from the busy Tokyo-life -- had some great Yoko viewing as well -- Could not cover Mt. Jimba, but I'll definitely come again to achieve this Mt. Takao -> Mt. Jimba summit.