p>Tokyo has so much to see, but sometimes it’s nice to leave the busy city behind and spend a day surrounded by nature. That’s what I did when I decided to hike Mt Takao in autumn.

I followed Trail No. 1, the Omotesando Course. It was a busy weekend, with plenty of other hikers enjoying the autumn scenery. Along the way, I photographed colorful trees, mountain viewpoints, and the beautiful buildings and statues around Yakuoin Temple.

But the best part came near the end of the day, when I reached the summit and got to see Mt Fuji at sunset. I took several pictures of that view, including one composition that remains my favourite.

In this post, I’m sharing my original Mt Takao photographs, along with a few practical tips for anyone planning a day trip from Tokyo. The pictures are also available for bloggers, writers, and publishers who need images for their own editorial content.

Free Mt Takao Photos for Editorial Use

All 28 original photographs in the gallery below were taken by me and are free to download under the SprayedOut Free Editorial Image License.

You’re welcome to use them in blog posts, web articles, travel guides, educational content and other permitted editorial publications, including genuine informational content on monetized websites.

How to credit: Photo by Luke Lawreszuk – SprayedOut.com

Please don’t resell or redistribute the photographs as standalone images, or use them in advertisements, promotional banners or product listings. For the full conditions, please read the image license.

My Mt Takao Autumn Hike in Photos

The gallery follows my hike from autumn trails and temple grounds to Mt Fuji at sunset. Some spots appear in more than one photograph, so you can choose the composition that best fits your article.

For other seasonal subjects, have a look through my free autumn and fall picture collection.

Autumn Hiking Trails and Viewpoints

Trail No. 1, the Omotesando Course, was busy on the autumn weekend I visited. I still enjoyed the walk, especially the changing scenery: forest paths, viewpoints and colorful trees.

The first photograph captures the autumn colors that caught my eye near the beginning of the hike.

Red, orange and yellow autumn trees on Mount Takao in Japan, with a small rooftop partly visible below the hillside. — Autumn foliage on Mt Takao, with rich red and orange leaves covering the hillside near the trail.

There were plenty of other walkers, as the next two photographs show. If you prefer a quieter hike, a weekday might be a better choice during autumn.

Crowds of hikers walking uphill on a forest trail on Mount Takao in Japan during autumn. — A busy section of the Mt Takao trail, with plenty of hikers enjoying the mountain on an autumn day.

Visitors walking along a wooded path on Mount Takao in Japan, surrounded by trees and late autumn greenery. — Another crowded part of the route on Mt Takao, this time along a quieter-looking forest path.

As I climbed, the trees gave way to viewpoints overlooking the city and nearby mountain ridges.

View toward Tokyo from Mount Takao, with the city stretching across the distance and autumn trees in the foreground. — A view toward Tokyo from Mt Takao, with autumn trees framing the city in the distance.

Layered mountain ridges and forested hills seen from Mount Takao in Japan during late autumn. — A calmer mountain view from Mt Takao, showing layered ridges and forested hills in soft late-autumn color.

Vertical autumn landscape on Mount Takao in Japan, with colorful trees in the foreground and mountain ridges beyond. — One of my favourite autumn scenes on Mt Takao, with bright seasonal colors in the foreground and mountains beyond.

Autumn-covered hills and forest on Mount Takao in Japan, with the city faintly visible in the far distance. — A broader landscape from Mt Takao, where wooded hills fill most of the view and the city appears faintly in the distance.

I also photographed red and brown Japanese maple leaves up close during this Mt Takao trip, if you need a smaller autumn detail rather than a wide landscape.

Tako-sugi Cedar Tree and Onna-zaka Path

One of the best-known stops on the way is Tako-sugi, the famous cedar tree on Mt Takao. It’s known for its unusual base and roots, which helped give it the name “octopus cedar.”

Massive trunk and wide flared base of the famous Tako-sugi cedar tree on Mount Takao in Japan. — The impressive base of Tako-sugi, the famous cedar tree on Mt Takao and one of the most recognizable landmarks along the route.

Closer to Yakuoin Temple, I walked along Onna-zaka, the gentler path that avoids the steeper stone steps of Otoko-zaka. With its red lanterns and forest setting, it was another pleasant stretch of the hike.

Visitors walking along the Onna-zaka path on Mount Takao in Japan, with red lanterns lining the paved route through the forest. — The Onna-zaka path on Mt Takao, lined with red lanterns and leading visitors gently toward the temple area.

Yakuoin Temple, Guardian Statues and Tengu

Reaching Yakuoin Temple was another highlight. The temple, formally known as Takao-san Yakuo-in Yuki-ji, dates back to 744. You can read more about its history in GO TOKYO’s Yakuoin Temple guide.

I really love Japanese temple architecture, and I spent time looking at the wooden gates, carved details and roofs surrounded by autumn trees. I especially liked the shape and workmanship of Shitenno-mon Gate.

Wooden roof and traditional architectural details of Shitenno-mon Gate at Yakuoin Temple on Mt Takao in Japan, with autumn leaves and blue sky. — The impressive wooden roof of Shitenno-mon Gate at Yakuoin Temple. I particularly liked the traditional craftsmanship and its layered design.

The gate is also home to four guardian figures known as the Four Heavenly Kings, or Shitenno. In Buddhist tradition, each watches over one of the four cardinal directions.

I photographed all four through the protective wire mesh. It wasn’t the easiest way to capture their details, but their colorful faces, golden armor and fierce expressions still make them fascinating subjects.

Red-faced Heavenly King guardian statue wearing golden armor behind protective wire mesh at Shitenno-mon Gate, Yakuoin Temple on Mt Takao. — A red-faced guardian of Shitenno-mon Gate, with golden armor and a fierce expression, photographed through the protective mesh.

Blue-green faced Heavenly King guardian statue in ornate golden armor holding a staff behind wire mesh at Shitenno-mon Gate on Mt Takao. — Another of the Four Heavenly Kings, with a blue-green face, golden armor and a staff held upright.

Close-up of a dark-faced Heavenly King guardian statue in golden armor behind protective wire mesh at Yakuoin Temple, Mt Takao, Japan. — A closer view of a dark-faced guardian statue at Shitenno-mon Gate, showing its weathered features and detailed armor.

Blue-green faced Heavenly King statue with raised arms and golden armor behind protective mesh at Shitenno-mon Gate, Yakuoin Temple in Japan. — The fourth Heavenly King at Shitenno-mon Gate, with a striking blue-green face, raised arms and ornate golden armor.

Japanese roofs have always caught my attention, especially their curved shapes and wooden details. I liked how the autumn leaves framed the buildings here.

Traditional Japanese temple rooftops and wooden architecture at Yakuoin Temple on Mt Takao, surrounded by red and orange autumn trees beneath a blue sky. — Traditional temple rooftops at Yakuoin, with their beautiful curved shapes and autumn trees adding color to the scene.

In front of Yakuoin’s Main Hall, visitors gathered around a large incense burner. I liked the contrast between the rising smoke, detailed wooden carvings and the busy scene.

Incense smoke rising from a large bronze burner in front of Yakuoin Temple Main Hall on Mt Takao, with visitors and elaborate wooden dragon carvings in the background. — Incense burning in front of Yakuoin Main Hall, with visitors gathering beneath the richly carved wooden roof.

Another interesting stop was Daishi-do Hall, where small stone Buddhist figures are arranged in a long row beside the building.

The collection of 88 figures is connected with the famous pilgrimage of 88 Buddhist temples on the island of Shikoku. I liked how the statues seemed to continue into the distance, each one sitting quietly beside the next.

Long row of small seated stone Buddhist statues beside Daishi-do Hall at Yakuoin Temple on Mt Takao in Japan, with a red wooden temple building in the background. — A row of small stone Buddhist figures beside Daishi-do Hall at Yakuoin Temple, part of a collection associated with the Shikoku pilgrimage.

The Tengu figures are another memorable part of the temple grounds.

In Japanese tradition, Tengu are supernatural beings connected with sacred mountains. At Yakuoin Temple, they are regarded as messengers of deities and buddhas, believed to protect good people and drive away evil.

The winged statue I photographed near Izuna Gongen-do Hall holds a feather fan, known as an uchiwa. According to tradition, the fan is believed to sweep away misfortune and bring good luck.

Close-up of a bronze winged Tengu statue holding a feather fan in front of the richly decorated red Izuna Gongen-do Hall at Yakuoin Temple on Mt Takao, Japan. — A close-up of the winged Tengu statue at Yakuoin Temple, holding its traditional feather fan in front of the decorated temple building.

From farther back, I could include more of the red temple building and its colorful carvings. It became one of my favourite subjects at Yakuoin.

Full bronze Tengu statue with wings and a feather fan standing outside Izuna Gongen-do Hall at Yakuoin Temple, Mt Takao, with elaborate red and gold Japanese temple architecture behind it. — The winged Tengu statue in front of Izuna Gongen-do Hall, with its colorful carvings and traditional Japanese architecture visible in the background.

Mt Fuji at Sunset from Mt Takao

After the temple grounds, I continued towards Mt Takao’s summit, about 599 metres above sea level. This turned out to be my favourite photography moment of the day.

On a clear day, you can see Mt Fuji from the summit of Mt Takao. We were lucky enough to enjoy that view at sunset, with the sky turning a beautiful orange and the mountains slowly becoming silhouettes.

I took several photographs as the light changed. Each one shows a slightly different moment, from clouds drifting around Mt Fuji to the darker mountain outlines after the sun had disappeared.

Mt Fuji partly surrounded by clouds at sunset, with an orange sky, layered blue mountain ridges and dark plants in the foreground, photographed from Mt Takao in Japan. — Mt Fuji appearing through the clouds at sunset, with the surrounding mountains fading into layers of blue beneath the orange sky.

In the next photograph, the sun was still visible beside Mt Fuji. I particularly liked the contrast between the bright evening sky and the darker mountains below.

Sun setting beside Mt Fuji, seen from the summit of Mt Takao in Japan, with glowing orange clouds, distant mountain silhouettes and plants in the foreground. — The setting sun beside Mt Fuji, photographed from Mt Takao. I loved how the orange light brought out the different layers of mountains.

As the light faded, Mt Fuji became a darker silhouette against the warm evening sky. Without the bright sun in the frame, the mountain’s familiar shape stood out even more.

Silhouette of Mt Fuji at sunset viewed from Mt Takao in Japan, with its volcanic peak rising above dark mountain ridges beneath a soft orange evening sky. — Mt Fuji’s silhouette against the orange evening sky. A simpler composition that brings more attention to the mountain itself.

My favourite composition was the last one. I framed Mt Fuji with dark leaves and branches around the viewpoint, letting the warm sunset sky fill the background.

Mt Fuji at sunset from Mt Takao in Japan, framed by dark tree leaves and branches, with a glowing orange sky and layered mountain silhouettes in the distance. — My favourite Mt Fuji sunset photograph from the hike. The dark leaves frame the mountain beautifully, while the last orange light fills the sky behind it.

Dango and Japanese Snacks Along the Trail

Another nice thing about hiking Mt Takao is the chance to try some Japanese snacks along the way. One of the local specialties is dango, chewy Japanese rice dumplings usually served on wooden skewers.

I photographed two interesting varieties during the hike: Mitsufuku Dango and Goma Dango. Both are cooked over charcoal, which gives them a lightly grilled surface.

Mitsufuku Dango is associated with three blessings: great fortune, happiness and prosperity. Each of the three rice dumplings on the skewer represents one of them.

Mitsufuku Dango rice dumplings grilling over glowing charcoal on Mt Takao in Japan, with three white dumplings on each wooden skewer and lightly browned surfaces. — Mitsufuku Dango being grilled over charcoal on Mt Takao. Each skewer has three rice dumplings representing good fortune, happiness and prosperity.

Another variety I came across was Goma Dango, made with sesame seeds. There are golden sesame and black sesame versions, both grilled over charcoal until the outside develops a little color.

I liked watching the skewers arranged around the fire. It’s a simple way of preparing food, but it makes for some really interesting photographs, especially with the glowing coals in the background.

Golden sesame Goma Dango rice dumplings on bamboo skewers arranged around glowing charcoal at a food stall on Mt Takao in Japan, with vendors in the background. — Golden sesame Goma Dango grilling over charcoal at Mt Takao. The skewers are arranged around the fire on a thick ring of straw.

The next photograph shows both sesame varieties together, with the darker dumplings already showing some nicely grilled patches.

Black sesame and golden sesame Goma Dango skewers cooking around a charcoal fire on Mt Takao in Japan, with browned rice dumplings and glowing embers. — Black and golden sesame Goma Dango arranged around the charcoal fire, with their lightly charred surfaces and glowing embers beneath them.

For my final food photograph, I moved closer to the darker sesame dango and glowing charcoal.

Close-up of grilled black sesame Goma Dango on wooden skewers above glowing charcoal at a Mt Takao food stall, with browned rice dumplings and a straw-covered grill. — A close-up of black sesame Goma Dango on Mt Takao, with the glowing charcoal and grilled surfaces adding warmth to the photograph.

Tokyo at Night on the Way Back

On the way back down Mt Takao, I stopped for one last photograph of the city lights. The image is dark, but I wanted to include that contrast after a day among forest trails, temples and mountain views.

Nighttime cityscape looking towards Tokyo from Mt Takao in Japan, with thousands of illuminated buildings and streets stretching into the distance beyond dark trees. — City lights stretching across the landscape towards Tokyo, photographed from Mt Takao after sunset during the walk back.

Planning a Day Trip to Mt Takao from Tokyo

Mt Takao (also called Mount Takao or Takaosan) is a 599-metre mountain in Hachioji, western Tokyo. If you’re thinking of visiting, here are the practical details I found most useful for planning a day trip.

How to Get to Mt Takao from Tokyo

From Shinjuku Station, take the Keio Line towards Takaosanguchi Station. Depending on the service, the trip takes roughly an hour. From Takaosanguchi, it’s a short walk to the trail entrances and lower cable car station.

Check your train and connections before setting off, especially if you want an early start for photography.

Hiking Trail No. 1: The Omotesando Course

There are several routes up Mt Takao. Trail No. 1, the Omotesando Course, is approximately 3.8 km long, passing forested areas, viewpoints and Yakuoin Temple on the way to the summit.

According to the official hiking guide, walking uphill without using the cable car or chair lift takes around 110 minutes. I would allow more time if, like me, you enjoy stopping to take pictures and explore along the way.

Much of the route is paved, but some stretches are steep. Wear comfortable walking shoes rather than assuming it will be an effortless stroll.

If you’re interested in exploring other routes, have a look at the official Mt Takao hiking trail guide. It explains the different paths and their difficulty levels.

Hike, Take the Cable Car or Chair Lift?

You don’t have to walk all the way up. A cable car and two-person chair lift carry visitors partway up Mt Takao.

The cable car journey takes about six minutes, while the chair lift takes around twelve minutes. You still need to walk to reach the summit, but they make the trip easier if you want to save some energy.

I chose to walk, but these are useful alternatives if you want to save energy or have limited time.

Check GO TOKYO’s Mt Takao visitor guide for practical information, and confirm current departure times with the cable car operator before you visit. This matters especially if you plan to stay for sunset.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Mt Takao in Autumn?

If you’re hoping to see colorful autumn leaves, November is usually one of the best months to visit Mt Takao. The colors often look especially beautiful from around mid-November, sometimes continuing into early December, depending on the weather and elevation.

Autumn can be crowded, as my weekend photographs show. If your schedule allows it, a weekday is worth considering.

You can also check the official Tokyo autumn foliage guide before planning your visit, as the timing of the colors changes from year to year.

Staying for Sunset? Plan Your Way Back

If you want to stay for sunset, plan the return trip before you start. The chair lift and cable car may finish operating before it gets dark, so check their last departures.

If you plan to walk down after dark, bring a flashlight or headlamp and wear suitable shoes. The mountain trails can be difficult to follow without enough light.

It’s also worth bringing an extra layer of clothing, as the summit can feel much cooler than central Tokyo, especially later in the day.

Anything Else to Do Near Mt Takao?

If you have some time before or after your hike, there are a few other places around Takaosanguchi Station worth considering.

The TAKAO 599 MUSEUM introduces the mountain’s nature, plants and wildlife. There’s also Keio Takaosan Onsen Gokurakuyu, a Japanese hot spring bathhouse near the station where visitors can relax after walking.

I focused on the hike and photography during my visit, but these could be nice additions if you have more time to spend in the area.

A Few Questions About Visiting Mt Takao

Can You See Mt Fuji from Mt Takao?

Yes, Mt Fuji can be seen from the summit of Mt Takao when the weather is clear. Visibility isn’t guaranteed, but I was lucky enough to photograph the mountain at sunset during my autumn hike.

How Long Does It Take to Hike Mt Takao?

Trail No. 1 takes approximately 110 minutes uphill without the cable car or chair lift. Allow additional time for photographs, rest stops and exploring Yakuoin Temple. Other hiking routes have different distances and walking times.

Can I Use These Mt Takao Photos in My Blog or Article?

Yes. All 28 original photographs shared in this gallery are available free for permitted editorial use under the SprayedOut Free Editorial Image License. Please credit the photographer and link back to this page, following the license conditions.

Final Thoughts on My Mt Takao Hike

Mt Takao gave me a whole day of things I enjoy photographing: autumn trees, Japanese temple architecture and, best of all, Mt Fuji at sunset. I’m glad I stayed long enough for that last view.

I hope the photographs were useful, whether you’re planning a hike or looking for an image to illustrate your own article. You can also browse more original photographs from Japan on SprayedOut.

Save this Mt Takao hike for later: You can save either of these images to Pinterest if you’re planning a trip or want to revisit my photographs.

Pinterest graphic featuring colorful autumn foliage and mountain scenery on Mt Takao in Japan, with text promoting an autumn hiking day trip.

Pinterest graphic about hiking to Mt Takao, featuring a city viewpoint, stone Buddhist figures at Yakuoin Temple and day-trip text.

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