Share this tour
Offered languages
- Japanese
- English
- English
A private group tour (up to 5 guests), one group per day, round-trip from Shinjuku to Mt. Takao.
Sho, a Samurai Guide with over 20 years of experience in the railway industry and hiking, carefully selects the most suitable route and pace based on your physical condition and energy level that day, guiding you on a quiet journey of mindful training into the present moment.
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 operating conditions, you may enjoy local mountain cuisine.
You visit Yakuo-in Temple, then descend by lift.
Reset body and mind in a tattoo-friendly hot spring with a sauna, and enjoy local craft beer and dishes (either bathing or dining is optional).
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 around 5:00 p.m. (perfect for evening plans).
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Meet at the Suica Penguin Statue in front of JR Shinjuku Station’s New South Gate. Your guide, Sho Kondo, will be wearing a modern samurai-style outfit, making him easy to spot (as shown in the first photo).
Itinerary
-
1Statue 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.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2Takaosanguchi Station
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.
1 hour 10 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
3Mt. Takaosan Hiking Course
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.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4
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.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5Takaosan 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.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6
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.)
20 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
7
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.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
8Statue of Suica Penguin
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.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
Additional info
- 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
- Estimated Required Local Expenses ¥3,290 per person (All payments can be made by credit card or IC card such as Suica.) (Breakdown: ¥1,000 round-trip train fare / ¥490 lift / ¥1,800 hot spring. Please see “Not Included” for details.) Fully Private & Flexible Design This tour is fully private. In case of train service disruptions, alternative routes can be arranged. The hiking route and hot spring usage can also be adjusted flexibly on the day according to your fitness level and preferences. For this reason, train fares, lift/cable car, and hot spring admission are intentionally charged separately. If you feel uncertain about the uphill hike, you may switch to the lift or cable car (additional ¥490). In that case, both the ascent and descent will be done by lift or cable car, making the route significantly easier. During peak seasons such as cherry blossom or autumn foliage, the lift (cable car) may be unavailable due to heavy crowds. If you would like to confirm availability in advance, please feel free to contact us by email before booking. The tattoo-friendly hot spring (with sauna) is optional. If you choose not to bathe, you may relax and enjoy local craft beer or meals inside the facility.
Additional info
- 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
- Estimated Required Local Expenses ¥3,290 per person (All payments can be made by credit card or IC card such as Suica.) (Breakdown: ¥1,000 round-trip train fare / ¥490 lift / ¥1,800 hot spring. Please see “Not Included” for details.) Fully Private & Flexible Design This tour is fully private. In case of train service disruptions, alternative routes can be arranged. The hiking route and hot spring usage can also be adjusted flexibly on the day according to your fitness level and preferences. For this reason, train fares, lift/cable car, and hot spring admission are intentionally charged separately. If you feel uncertain about the uphill hike, you may switch to the lift or cable car (additional ¥490). In that case, both the ascent and descent will be done by lift or cable car, making the route significantly easier. During peak seasons such as cherry blossom or autumn foliage, the lift (cable car) may be unavailable due to heavy crowds. If you would like to confirm availability in advance, please feel free to contact us by email before booking. The tattoo-friendly hot spring (with sauna) is optional. If you choose not to bathe, you may relax and enjoy local craft beer or meals inside the facility.
- 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.
- 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.
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Your guide to the flawless travel experience
Popular Countries
Company
Get our app
