Buy Private Mt. Takao Hike & Onsen from Shinjuku with Ex-JR Conductor Tickets on FunEx

View all Private Mt. Takao Hike & Onsen from Shinjuku with Ex-JR Conductor photos

Get your discount tickets for the Private Mt. Takao Hike & Onsen from Shinjuku with Ex-JR Conductor, save up to 9% !

Select your ticket

9% OFF Refundable

Private Mt. Takao Hike & Onsen from Shinjuku with Ex-JR Conductor

FROM

$98.21

REG. $107.78

Overview

Suitable for families, couples, guests with tattoos, travelers unsure about train travel or Mt. Takao routes, and both first-time and active hikers. Take a train journey out of central Tokyo’s crowds with a former JR conductor, and slow down at Mt. Takao and Yakuoin Temple. The “passenger” on this journey is you. Samurai Guide Sho, a former JR Chuo Line conductor who served on trains for 22 years, guides you comfortably round trip from Shinjuku to Mt. Takao by JR Chuo Line Green Car (premium seating). Train and Green Car fares are the only required extra costs. At Mt. Takao, your guide suggests flexible options based on weather, crowds, fitness, what is open, and your interests. Pay only for what you choose: ・cable car/lift ・Goma fire ritual at Yakuoin Temple, if timing allows ・local food: sweets, ramen, soba ・Monkey Park ・natural onsen, not tattoo-friendly ・bathing and sauna facilities, tattoo-friendly ・Mt. Takao craft beer taproom Towels can be arranged at bathing facilities.

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Meet at Suica Penguin Square, directly in front of JR Shinjuku Station’s New South Gate. Search “Suica Penguin Square” on Google Maps. The address is shown as Shibuya City, but it will take you to the correct meeting point. Your guide Sho will wear modern samurai attire and be easy to find.

Language Offered

Japanese-GUIDE

English-GUIDE

English-WRITTEN

Itinerary

1. Shinjuku Southern Terrace

Departure from Shinjuku: Journey to Mt. Takao After 22 years guiding passengers along the JR Chuo Line as a train conductor, Samurai Guide Sho now leads you on a journey to Mt. Takao. This experience begins not when you reach the mountain, but already at Shinjuku Station. The complexity of the station, buying a Green Car ticket, and making transfers all begin to fall into the rhythm of the journey when you are guided by a former train conductor. Leave the crowded center of Tokyo behind, avoid the busy train ride, and usually travel quietly and comfortably in a seat on the JR Chuo Line Green Car (premium seating). Enjoy the gradual shift from Tokyo’s cityscape to mountain scenery along the way.

Duration: 10 mins

2. Mt. Takaosan Hiking Course

Choose the Best Way Up Mt. Takao and Enjoy Local Food At Mt. Takao, the route is adjusted to your group’s fitness level, weather, crowds, and facility availability. For guests who are not confident in their fitness, first-time hikers, or families with children, we may combine the cable car or chairlift with an easier walking route. For intermediate or advanced hikers, or guests who want a more active climb, we can choose a more rewarding hiking route. No special hiking gear is required, but comfortable walking shoes are recommended. During cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons, the cable car and chairlift can be crowded. In that case, we may take a beginner-friendly hiking route with a traditional training waterfall, reaching the summit in about 1.5 hours. Depending on the weather and shop availability, you can enjoy local food such as sweets, ramen, or soba along the way or near the summit. In rain or poor trail conditions, we may use the cable car or another easier option.

Duration: 90 mins

3. Mt. Takao

Reach the Summit Reach the summit of Mt. Takao by a route adjusted to your group. If we hike to the top, there is a special sense of reward that comes from reaching the summit under your own power. On clear days, you may even see Mt. Fuji. A view that feels far removed from central Tokyo awaits at the top.

Duration: 20 mins

4. Takaosan Yakuo-in Yuki-ji Temple

Visit Yakuoin Temple and Goma Fire Ritual Visit Yakuoin Temple, a historic temple on Mt. Takao. Rather than simply seeing a sightseeing spot, this is time to place yourself within its atmosphere. Let’s spend a moment resetting the mind. If timing allows, you may also see the Goma fire ritual at Yakuoin Temple. It is a memorable temple experience where prayers are offered in front of sacred fire. The Goma fire ritual is available only if the timing works.

Duration: 40 mins

5. Mt. Takao, Monkey zoo, Wild Grass Garden

Monkey Park Depending on opening conditions, crowd levels, and your group’s interests, we may also stop at the Monkey Park. This is especially enjoyable for families with children. It adds a light and fun moment to the day, different from the mountain nature and temple atmosphere.

Duration: 20 mins

6. Takaotozan Cable Car

Descend from the Mountain After the temple visit and optional Monkey Park stop, we descend by chairlift, cable car, or on foot depending on the weather, crowd conditions, and your group’s fitness level. During busy periods, we may walk down instead of using the chairlift or cable car. The downhill walk takes about 30 to 40 minutes. In case of rain or poor trail conditions, this may be changed to the cable car or another easier option.

Duration: 10 mins

7. Mt. Takao

Onsen / Sauna / Craft Beer After the hike, Yakuoin Temple, and optional stops adjusted to your group, you can choose a bathing option to finish the day. The standard option is a natural hot spring at the foot of Mt. Takao. Please note that guests with tattoos cannot use this facility. If you have tattoos and are 20 or older, you can choose a tattoo-friendly bathing and sauna facility, where you can also enjoy craft beer brewed inside the facility. If you have tattoos and are traveling with children, a tattoo-friendly local public bath with an open-air bath can be arranged. A short taxi or bus ride may be used if needed. Towels can be arranged at all bathing facilities. You can also skip the spa entirely and end the tour with food, drinks, or a relaxed return to Shinjuku. This private tour will not leave you confused by Japan’s hot spring rules. You can end the day in a way that fits your group.

Duration: 90 mins

8. Suica's Penguin Park

Return to Shinjuku Usually, we return comfortably to Shinjuku by JR Chuo Line Green Car (premium seating). Whether you enjoyed a hot spring or sauna, or chose to skip the spa, the final ride stays relaxed and unhurried. After the hike, Yakuoin Temple, and a finish that fits your group, enjoy the lingering feeling of the mountain as you return to Shinjuku.

Duration: 5 mins

Inclusion

Guidance on comfortable Mt. Takao hiking routes that help avoid crowds where possible.

Mt. Takao route guidance for your group’s fitness & interests. Email support available when booking.

Former JR East professional (23 yrs): support for Shinjuku Station, tickets, Suica, and transfers.

Former JR Chuo Line train conductor (22 yrs): Green Car guidance and support during disruptions.

Exclusion

Round-trip train fare incl. Green Car: Adult approx. ¥3,800 / Child age 9–11 approx. ¥2,900

Bathing and local transport are optional. Est. ¥1,000–¥2,000 per person.

Food and drinks (optional), at your own expense.

For other optional extra costs, please see Additional Information.

Cancellation Policy

Refundable tickets

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

100% refund if cancelled 1+ days before the start date
0% refund if cancelled less than 1 day(s) before the start date

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

Optional paid add-ons can be decided on the day based on your group’s fitness, weather, mood, crowds, and what is open.

Lift or cable car fare (optional): Adult ¥490 one way / Child age 9–11 ¥250 one way.

Yakuoin Goma fire ritual: optional and only if timing allows. It is a Buddhist prayer ritual with chanting in front of sacred fire. The prayer fee is approx. ¥3,000.

Monkey Park admission is optional. Adult approx. ¥500–¥700; child age 9–12 approx. ¥250–¥350.

This tour is independently operated and is not affiliated with JR East.

The round-trip train fare, including Green Car, is approx. ¥3,800 for adults and approx. ¥2,900 for children age 9–11. Please have enough balance on your Suica card or bring extra cash.

A physical Suica or PASMO card is recommended for a smoother Green Car experience. If you use only Suica in Apple Wallet, you cannot purchase a Suica Green Car ticket, so you will need to buy a paper Green Car ticket with cash. This costs ¥260 more than the Suica Green Car fare.

If you are not sure how to top up your Suica card, I will guide you at the start of the tour.

The Green Car has seat tables, drink holders, power outlets, a restroom, and trash bins, so you can enjoy your own snacks or drinks on board, and it is also convenient for charging your phone or other devices.

After arriving at the nearest station to Mt. Takao, you can buy drinks or light food before the hike. You can also withdraw cash at a bank ATM or store your luggage in coin lockers.

Please wear comfortable walking shoes. Depending on your group’s fitness level, the weather, and crowd conditions, the tour may include hiking on mountain trails.

Rain gear is needed in wet weather, warm clothing is needed in colder seasons, and heatstroke prevention is needed in hot weather.

The tour operates in light rain. In severe weather, on very hot summer days, or when trail conditions are poor, the itinerary may be adjusted for safety and heatstroke prevention by combining hiking routes, the cable car, the chairlift, or other easier options.

Food stops and optional visits on the mountain may be changed or skipped depending on weather, shop opening conditions, and crowd levels.

When the cable car or chairlift is crowded, we may walk instead. The uphill hike takes about 1.5 hours, and the downhill walk takes about 30 to 40 minutes.

Bathing facilities after the hike are optional. The choice depends on your group’s interests, tattoos, ages, and facility availability.

The standard option is a natural hot spring at the foot of Mt. Takao. Guests with tattoos cannot use this facility.

For guests with tattoos, a tattoo-friendly bathing and sauna facility can be arranged. Guests aged 20 and over can also enjoy craft beer at the facility.

For guests with tattoos traveling with children, a tattoo-friendly local public bath with an open-air bath can be arranged. A short taxi or bus ride may be used if needed.

Bathing facility fees and related local transport are usually about ¥1,000–¥2,000 per person. Towels can also be arranged at the bathing facilities.

You can also skip the spa entirely.

If you have dietary restrictions, please contact me before or at the time of booking. Availability of suitable options depends on the details.

Guests with strict dietary restrictions are recommended to bring their own safe food.

Payments during the tour, such as at shops, hot springs, and for craft beer, can often be made by credit card or IC card, such as Suica. Some places, such as small shops at Yakuo-in Temple, accept cash only.

Alcohol is available only to guests aged 20 and over.

As this tour includes hiking, every reasonable effort will be made to ensure safety. Participants are also asked to take responsibility for their own health and safety.

The organizer is not responsible for illness, injury, or loss or damage of personal belongings during the tour.

The tour may be terminated without refund in case of disruptive behavior.

Supplied by Samurai Guide Sho