Exploring Mt. Takao and Takao Plum Village: Hiking and Approximately 10,000 Ume Blossoms

Mt. Takao is known as a mountain that can be easily climbed via cable car or lift. According to the City of Hachioji, it has been selected as a three-star tourist destination by Michelin. At its foot, plum groves of "Takao Plum Village" are scattered along the old Koshu Kaido, with approximately 10,000 red and white ume blossoming from mid-February to mid-March each year. Fees, hours, and access information are based on the official website (verified in October 2026). As details may change from year to year, please check the official website before departure.

Mt. Takao: To the Mid-Slope by Cable Car

• From the mountain base at approximately 200m above sea level to a point at approximately 470m, the cable car takes about 7 minutes. There is also a two-seater Echo Lift.
• The summit is at an elevation of 599m. On clear days, Mt. Fuji and Sagami Bay are visible, and it is selected as one of the "Top 100 Fuji Views in the Kanto Region."
• The Takao-san Yakuo-in Yuuki-ji temple on the mountainside is one of the Three Great Mountains of Kanto, along with Naritasan Shinshoji and Kawasaki Daishi Hirakoji.
• There are 6 natural study trails (hiking courses). As access may be closed due to construction or weather, please check the latest information from the Tokyo Metropolitan Takao Visitor Center.

Takao Plum Village: Touring the Plum Groves Along the Old Koshu Kaido

• Takao Plum Village: Plum groves such as Sekisho Bairin, Tenjin Bairin, Yunohana Bairin, Surasashi Bairin, Kogesawa Bairin, and the Yuhodo Bairin along the Kogane River are scattered along approximately 4.5km of the old Koshu Kaido.
• The Yuhodo Bairin is about a 10-minute walk from Keio Line Takao-Sanguchi Station (about a 15-minute walk from JR Takao Station). You can walk there after descending from Mt. Takao.
• To reach other plum groves, take the bus bound for "Kogane" from the north exit of JR Takao Station. The nearest stops are "Komei," "Komaki-no," "Arai," "Surasashi," "Hebikiguchi," "Hikage," and "Osako."
• The largest Kogesawa Bairin is normally closed to the public, but you can stroll inside the garden for about two weeks in March (in 2026, it was open from March 7 to 22, from 10:00 to 16:00).
• The 2026 "Takao Plum Village Ume Festival" was held on March 14 and 15.

Precautions for Walking

• There are no parking lots at each plum grove. Please use trains and buses.
• The old Koshu Kaido is narrow, and the area around the plum groves is a residential road. The City of Hachioji urges visitors to be careful of buses and walk in a single file.

Example of a One-Day Itinerary

You can climb Mt. Takao in the morning, descend to Takao-Sanguchi Station, and then walk to the Yuhodo Bairin. From there, walk along the old Koshu Kaido to Sekisho Bairin and Tenjin Bairin, and on the way back, take the bus stop bound for "Kogane" to return to the north exit of Takao Station. If it is during the public access period for Kogesawa Bairin, extend your trip by bus to "Osako." You can also check the blooming status for that year via the Bloom Report.

Sources

• Takao Plum Village | City of Hachioji
• Mt. Takao | City of Hachioji