Mt. Takao’s Hidden Trail – A Quiet Escape Few Ever Find

癒しと散策/Healing & Walks

🌿 This post is for you if you…

  • want to escape the crowds and walk a peaceful, hidden trail on Mt. Takao.
  • are looking for a lesser-known side of a world-famous destination.
  • enjoy quiet hikes with your dog or just a slow, mindful walk in nature.
  • are in your 50s (or just value calm moments) and want to reconnect with yourself through nature.

🕐 Estimated reading time: about 5–6 minutes

✨ Purpose of This Blog Post

Mount Takao is famous worldwide as a Michelin three-star destination, attracting tourists from around the globe.
But did you know there’s a quieter side of Takao — a hidden trail known mostly to locals and seasoned hikers?

In this post, I’ll share my experience walking the Ura-Takao (Backside Takao) route with my Shiba Inu, Momiji, starting from Hikagezawa parking lot.
Originally, I had planned to climb Mt. Takao itself, but due to a fallen tree blocking the main trail, I took a detour to Mt. Kobotoke-Shiroyama.

That unexpected change led me to something truly special:
a serene path with clear streams, rustling trees, and a calmness that feels almost sacred.
If you’re looking for a less crowded, nature-rich alternative to the bustling main route — this trail might be your perfect escape.

🌲 Introduction

Mount Takao is one of Japan’s most visited mountains, known for its easy access and vibrant crowds.
But hidden just beyond the popular trails lies a quieter world — a secret side of Takao that few travelers ever see.

This time, I explored that hidden path.
Starting from the Hikagezawa parking lot with my Shiba Inu, Momiji, I originally planned to hike via the main trail.
But a fallen tree blocked the way, and I had to change my route.

What I found instead was something unexpected and unforgettable:
a peaceful walk through whispering forests, the sound of streams at my side, and not a single tourist in sight.
Just nature, silence, and a slow-paced adventure — the kind that stays with you long after the hike ends.

🏞️ Chapter 1: Think Takao Is Just Crowds and Tourists? Think Again.

When people hear “Mount Takao,” they usually imagine bustling walkways, souvenir shops, and long lines at cable cars.
That’s the well-known front side — the Omotesando Route — loved by tourists from all over the world.

But on the opposite side of the mountain, there’s a trail that feels like an entirely different world.
It’s called the “Ura-Takao Route” — the Hidden Takao Trail.
Fewer crowds, deeper forests, and a calm that stretches on like time has stopped.

On that day, I planned to hike from the Hikagezawa parking lot through Mount Takao to Kobotoke-Shiroyama.
But a sign at the trailhead warned: “Trail Closed Due to Fallen Trees.”
So I changed plans and headed straight to Kobotoke-Shiroyama — and honestly, it might have been the better choice.

The path was well-maintained, easy to walk, yet filled with the sounds of rustling leaves, birdsong, and flowing streams.
There were even a few moments where the trail felt more like a hidden shrine path than a hiking route.

Skipping the main summit led me to something even more special:
a peaceful, uncrowded journey through what felt like Takao’s true soul.

🌿 Chapter 2: A Creekside Welcome — Nature Takes Over From the First Step

The moment we stepped out of the car at Hikagezawa Parking Lot, the soundscape changed.
No cars. No city noise. Just the soft murmur of a creek, birds chirping, and leaves swaying in the wind.

It felt like nature wrapped around us instantly — like the forest had been waiting.

And then there’s my Shiba Inu, Momiji.
The second she spotted the water, she lit up.
Sniffing around, wagging her tail like a windmill, dipping her nose toward the stream… and then — splash!
She dashed into the water like it was her own private theme park.
I couldn’t help but laugh. She was fully in the moment, fully alive.

We walked deeper in, and even the phone signal began to fade.
No notifications, no messages — just footsteps and forest.

The path was mostly shaded, and the air?
Cooler than expected for June — almost chilly in places.
It made me wonder, “Wait, is this really summer?”

Unlike the popular routes, this one didn’t shout for attention.
It whispered.
And in that whisper, the mountain gave us a gentle invitation —
to slow down, breathe deeply, and just be.

🟩 Chapter 3: A Quiet Forest Road Going Up, and a Taste of Real Hiking Coming Down

The uphill path we chose was a paved forest road — wide, well-kept, and completely calm.
We passed just one work truck. Aside from that, it was only us, trees, birdsong, and the wind.

It wasn’t a hike.
It was a peaceful stroll — or maybe more like a slow dog walk in the forest.
Momiji led the way, ears perked, nose twitching, tail swaying like a pendulum.
She seemed to love the calmness as much as I did.

Then, surprisingly, a group of trail runners came flying by.
I thought, “Wait, people run here?”
We smiled, nodded, and let them pass, then returned to our pace — slow, steady, and soft.

For the return trip, we switched things up and took a dirt trail down.
It was narrower, a bit more rugged, and it gave us that “real hiking” feeling.
But the slope wasn’t too steep, and the trail was easy to follow — even for a casual hiker.

Climbing up on the paved path felt safe and gentle.
Coming down on the mountain trail brought us closer to nature.
Being able to balance both sides of the mountain — that’s the hidden beauty of the Ura-Takao route.

🌳 Chapter 4: At the Top of Mt. Kobotoke-Shiroyama — Silence, Sky, and a Bit of Surprise

We made it to the summit of Mt. Kobotoke-Shiroyama!
Benches and tables were scattered around, offering a nice little rest area.
It was a weekday, so things were quiet, but a few other hikers were enjoying the peaceful vibes.

Then we saw it — a small teahouse near the summit… and a mysterious tengu statue staring at us.
Its eyes locked onto mine, and for a second, I froze.
Creepy? A bit. But charming in its own quirky, mountain-spirit way.

On weekends, the teahouse serves warm dishes like miso soup and cup noodles, but today it was closed.
Honestly? That made the place feel even more serene.
The sky felt wider. The air, lighter.

Momiji, who had been bursting with energy earlier, flopped down and sprawled out beside me.
Total Zen mode.
It’s funny — watching her relax made me relax even more.

I sat on a bench, let the wind brush against my face, and simply breathed.
That small moment carried a quiet joy — the kind you don’t get in crowded places.

And you know what?
After all that walking, I felt like I’d burned some calories.
Did I actually lose weight? Probably not.
But hey — for a 50-something guy like me, just feeling that “I moved today” was enough.

🟩 Chapter 5: Not the Tourist Trail — Real Stillness Lives in the “Back” of Mt. Takao

After resting at the summit teahouse, we headed back down — this time via the mountain trail.
Unlike the paved road we climbed, the descent was framed by trees, soft earth, and birdsong.

The smell of soil.
The rustle of leaves overhead.
The cool breeze brushing against our legs.
There were moments when we didn’t see another soul — and it felt like the forest had stopped time just for us.

Because it was a weekday, the tea shop was closed.
But honestly, just sitting side by side with Momiji, feeling the wind and doing nothing, was more than enough.

That’s when it really hit me:
The “Back of Takao” isn’t just a quieter path — it’s a different mountain entirely.
There’s no dramatic view, no cheerful crowd.
Instead, there’s something else: a kind of presence, a whisper of the mountain’s deeper self.

They say Mt. Takao was once called Reiki Manzan — “a mountain full of sacred energy.”
And here, in the silence of its lesser-known trails, I finally understood why.
It wasn’t just a walk. It felt like stepping into something ancient and still.

🚌🚗 Chapter 6: How to Find the Quiet Side — Getting to Hikagezawa Parking Area

Our starting point was Hikagezawa Parking Area, the gateway to the quiet “Back of Takao.”
It’s a spot far removed from the crowded main trails — perfect for those seeking a peaceful nature walk.

Here’s how to get there, whether you’re driving or using public transportation:

🚗 By Car:

  • From the Ken-Ō Expressway (圏央道), take the Takao IC Exit and head toward Shinjuku via Route 20.
  • Turn left at the Nishi-Asakawa intersection, then drive about 3 km along Route 516 (Asakawa-Sagamiko Line).
  • Watch carefully for a small forest road on the left — it’s easy to miss!
  • Enter the forest road and the free Hikagezawa Parking Area (about 10 spaces) will be immediately on your right.

🟡 Note: There are no toilets at the parking area, but you can use the facilities at Hikagezawa Campground, about a 10-minute walk away.
🟡 Search “日影沢駐車場” (Hikagezawa Parking) on Google Maps to navigate easily.

📍 Google Maps: Hikagezawa Parking Lot (direct link)

🚌 By Train + Bus (Recommended):

  1. Take the JR Chūō Line to Takao Station, not Takao-sanguchi!
  2. Exit from the North Exit, and board the Keiō Bus bound for Kobotoke (小仏行き)
    (Buses come 1–2 times per hour)
  3. Get off at the Hikage (日影) Bus Stop.
  4. From there, it’s just a 3-minute walk to the parking area — signs will guide you.

🟠 Tip: Cell reception may be limited along parts of the trail, so download maps in advance!

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