Course 23 – Takao Exoteric Japan, Japanese Culture, Hachioji Walking Course | 高尾八王子コース, An Uke-yo woodblock print of a woman in traditional Japanese atire looking apprehensively over her shoulder at a misty mountain that could be Mt. Takao.

Course 23 – Takao Hachioji Walking Course | 高尾八王子コース

In Exploring and Socializing, Japan, Just for Fun, Maps, Relaxing, Tokyo, Tokyo Promenade of Culture and History, Travel, Travelling Around Japan, Trekking, What to do? by Pjechorin

World Heritage and Mountain Towns

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The Tokyo Promenade of History and Culture

Tokyo Walking Courses such as the Tokyo Promenade of History and Culture (aka 東京歴史と文化の散歩道) unveil the layers of Tokyo, from ancient echoes to vibrant modernity!


10.82 km in Total Length

Course 23 – Takao Hachioji Walking Course | 高尾八王子コース Map

Tama Goryo Mausoleum/Ginkgo Tree Walk

Takaosanguchi Station – Shinkakuji Temple

Mt. Takao, which retains its rich natural beauty and is a popular tourist destination, is also one of the most sacred sites for Shugendo in the Kanto region. If you go north on the Koshu Kaido road and turn north in front of Takao Station, you will find the vast Musashi Mausoleum Cemetery, where the emperors of the Taisho and Showa eras are buried. After walking along the approach lined with zelkova trees, the Koshu Highway is lined with magnificent ginkgo trees. Leaving the Koshu Highway, we headed towards Shinkakuji Temple, which is known for its frog battles.

A walk in places related to Kanto samurai

Shinkakuji-Katakura Station

Hachioji is a place connected to Kanto samurai, such as the Yokoyama party of the Musashi Shichito party and the Sennin Doshin party of the Edo period. Place names such as Yokoyama-cho and Sennin-cho are remnants of this. There are also many temples and shrines that have ties to these samurai. From Shinkaku-ji Temple, visit Koon-ji Temple, which retains a strong medieval atmosphere, and then head to the city center. The Hachioji City Local Museum exhibits a large number of materials from ancient times to the present day in Hachioji. Pass through the city and head towards Katakura. This is the entrance to the Silk Road from Hachioji, the capital of Kuwato, to Yokohama. The signpost still remains.

About the Author

Pjechorin

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I have lived and worked with my family in Japan since 2005. For many years I have been interested in the very practical and creative side of Japanese culture. In my free time I travel around, enjoy hiking in the countryside and cities, and just generally seeing and doing new things. This blog is primarily a way for me to focus my energies and record and teach others about what I have learned by experience constructively. I am interested in urban development, and sustainable micro-economics, especially home-economics, and practical things everyday families can do to survive and thrive through these changing times.

Photo thanks to 国立国会図書館デジタルコレクションに由来する画像。 “National Diet Library”, Japan