Mt Takao

Today I wanted to see if I am still able to go up at least a moderate mountain.  So I decided to try Mt. Takao. Google showed me the way to my destination. Takaosanguchi station. This was supposed to be an easy 1.5 hour trip with one change of trains/lines.

Let’s just say every tourist I talked to seemed to have last his or her way at Shinjuku station. And so it was my turn this time as well. Having active construction did not help me at all.

But the worst part was that I more or less made an example why they need people at certain trains. – I  knew I wanted to use the express train to my destination (half the travel time). And lo and behold, there is one supposed to leave in a few minutes. And there is a guy holding a sign. Do I manage to read the sign? No. Do I manage to read the signage at the train itself? No. (They are in Japanese and English mind you). No it takes the guy to tell me reservations needed for me to get the hint. Thankfully there is a terminal where you can get your reservation for a bit over 400 yen right on the platform.
Next hurdle. There is a wagon and a seat on the ticket. Me to blind to see the numbers on the upper side of the carriages and back to the sign holding staff member. “Next one” pointing to the one I just passed. And yes. Now even I can see the number. Facepalm. But that wasn’t all. Seat number. Where do they put those? A nice lady sees me searching points to the seat at her stub and helps me to find my seat.
The train ride out is interesting for us foreigners as the houses change all the time depending on how far you travel away from “downtown” and how far you are away from the train station. All in all a very pleasant journey.

At the train station is information center where you can get a small map of the trails. Now equipped with everything I need I can make my way up to the top. As it it quite warm it take almost no time until I’m drenched. But the trees provide a pretty good cover. So the sun doesn’t burn too hot
Unfortunately it is a bit hazy so the view over Tokyo is a bit short and Fuji San is hiding. No pictures from Mt Fuji this time. But the stairs. My knees and even more stairs. Up is hard, but down hurts.

Having arrived for the top, it’s time for a small lunch. And then on to the  next  summit. With more stairs. Because if you came up some stairs you will have to come down some stairs – and the other way around. At least so it seems. One way to the next intermediate goal is supposed to take 30 minutes. To the summit I set as goal it’s 60 (I’vebeem there 6 years ago). And due to the geography I’ll have to come back the same way. After a few more stairs I  realise that I am older and out of form. Anyhow what am I doing anyway. So let’s turn around  before the intermediate summit and go back.
Ohh what is that? There seems to be a alternative path to the long long staircase. Let’s try that one. And yes, it’s a good footpath without stair even though it is steep. My knees say thank you.

But I’m reaching my limit and need to make rests while trying to make it down the mountain. Instead of the paved road (official  option) I of course decide to take the hiking path. And now it goes down. Outch say my knees. But I want to see the suspension bridge . Mote and more people overtake my slow ass now. But I don’t care. Shortly after the bridge I meet a guy from Singapore and we have a short chat. His wife has already moved on, so he has to hurry. But not before telling me about a waterfall just down the path.
Turns out it is down the path and then down another path (literally) and I would have go up again. So after the first set of stairs and not seing an end after the switchback a while further down I turn around. No waterfall today.
There is a cable car station halfway up the mountain.  And you would think I’d be old and intelligent enough to take it.
Naaa. There is a road going down. So I’m going to take that one? Nope. There is a steep trail that is supposed to go to another waterfall but part of the trail is under construction and you could go to the waterfall at a crossroads but need to go back afterwards until the junction to get on the trail again. – That is the trail I’m going to take because earth is more forgiving on the knees. I think. Not when there are natural steps created by stones showing up. And did I say it was steep? The turn of to the waterfall was of course not at the same level. So going down and back up it would be. Yeah naa.
But what is that? The regular track is blocked by two tree and there is a sign attached? All the way back up again?
Nope. The sign only says “Caution!” and something in Japanese. I guess the same. (Dated 2024 07 05). So over the first and under the second tree it goes.
Slinking back down the mountain I finally make it to the train station.  After washing my gear. (Yes the people here are kind enough to provide water, buckets and brushes.) I make my way up to the tracks. – A a reserved train (Ltd. Express) again. This time I decide that I have time and take the local train. This will be quite a long ride. But what’s this? There are people jumping over to the train at the next track. Me running with them. Turns out this is a “Special Express” that skips quite a few stops. So my arrival I  Shinjuku is a lot earlier than planned.
Now to find my other line again to get back to the hotel.