Lunchbox
If you are visiting Mt. Takao around lunchtime, we recommend you bring a lunch box. Although many eateries are scattered along the various trails, some have no places to eat. Depending on the course you select, you may have to bring along your own lunch.
Flask
Instead of juice or other soft drinks, it is recommended you take green tea or lightly sugared black tea with you. Be sure to take some water as well. In addition to drinking water, you may also need some water for cleaning up after a fall or to refresh yourself with a wet towel or handkerchief.
Keep in mind that there is almost no running water anywhere on the mountain.
Mat
Even when the weather is fine, on the day of your hike the ground may still be wet from the previous day's rain. Over holidays, when the number of visitors to Mt. Takao increases, seating may be at a premium because all the benches may be occupied. Bringing a mat or plastic sheet along will give you the freedom to sit down and take a rest anywhere
Raincoat
A raincoat is an absolute necessity when climbing mountains. Although it is useful to consult the weather report, keep in mind that weather in the mountains is very unpredictable.
Towel
Towels are useful not only for wiping off perspiration, but they may also come in handy for stopping bleeding and for cleaning up in case of injury.
Camera
Don't forget to bring a camera along - there are lots of opportunities for taking memorable photographs.
Sweets
It is recommended you take some candy, caramel, or other kinds of sweets to quickly give you a boost when you feel fatigue coming on. Sweets high in sugar content such as candy are considered preferable to low-sugar, low-calorie sweets. Simple carbohydrates will provide a quicker energy fix.
Trash bag
Be sure to always take your trash back with you.
Hat
People tend to walk with their heads down while hiking in the mountains. It is therefore recommended that you wear a hat to protect your head from hitting tree branches.
Also, many people have avoided more serious injury from a fall because of protection provided by a hat.
Jacket
In the mountains it can be colder than you expect, so carry a warm jacket and jersey with you always.
Trousers
A pair of denim jeans would be the most appropriate. Alternatively, you can consider tracksuit pants. From the safety point of view, skirts are not recommended.
Shoes
The best footwear is a pair of comfortable sneakers. New shoes your feet are not yet used to, or improperly fitting shoes, can cause blisters and discomfort.
Stretching
Mountain hiking is just a matter of climbing up and down a mountain, but it's a type of activity we normally don't perform over long periods.
We use muscles we don't usually use; consequently, climbing can result in aching muscles. To avoid such discomfort, be sure to perform some light exercises to stretch your muscles the day before the hike or even on the morning of the hike.
Proper Sleep
If your hiking schedule requires that you get up only about an hour or so earlier than usual, it is best you do not change the time you go to bed. Except when you have to get up and leave really early, it is not a good idea to change your normal rhythm.
Being overly conscious about having to go to sleep early might make it harder to do so. There are even cases when students end up developing a fever before an excursion because they worry too much about having to go to sleep early and aren't able to do so.
Dinner the
night before
Have a good, nutritious meal the night before, but don't overeat.
Breakfast
It is not healthy to exert yourself when your body is digesting food. However, engaging in physical activity on an empty stomach is even more harmful. Therefore, be sure to eat an appropriate amount of light, easily digestible food for breakfast, but don't drink too much water.
Because some people think a light breakfast might not provide them with sufficient stamina, they might decide to eat a bigger breakfast than usual, forgetting that food does not turn to energy immediately. Actually, a large meal in the morning might make you feel sluggish. Rather eat properly the day before the hike. A good appetite around lunchtime will make your lunch in the mountains taste even better.
Toilet
Make sure you go to the bathroom before you start hiking. Emptying your bowels before you start is especially important, since toilets are scarce. Be careful not to drink too much water before the hike.
Hydration while hiking
Drink water when you feel thirsty and stay well hydrated. Because the body dehydrates gradually, drink small amounts of water at regular intervals to avoid dehydration.
Open Fires are prohibited
Fires are prohibited in all area of Mt. Takao
Take your trash back with you
To preserve the nature of Mt. Takao, visitors are requested to always take their trash back with them.
Two-and-a-half million people visit Mt. Takao annually, so it is easy to imagine the large amount of waste that would accumulate and the great harm to the environment that would result if each visitor were to leave behind even one plastic bottle. "Just a little waste will do no harm" is the kind of thinking that can easily lead to the destruction of the natural environment.
Yield to approaching hikers on narrow paths
Although the trails are well maintained and conditions have improved over the years, there are areas where the trails are very narrow. In these areas avoid forcing your way and be sure to yield to approaching hikers. Establish communication and let the other side know you want to let them go first.
This is especially important in areas where the trail is narrow and runs along a ridge.
Do not throw things from the trail into the valleys below
Throwing stones and other objects over the edge of the trail is extremely dangerous. Refrain from doing so, even when you look down and see no one in sight. Other hikers below may be hidden from view by a thicket or a tree.
Refrain from capturing insects or birds, or gathering plants
Gathering plants or capturing birds on Mt. Takao is prohibited and punishable by law. Our company also prohibits collecting insects in and around the station grounds.
Plan well and allocate sufficient time for the hike
Most mountain accidents occur as a result of insufficient planning and not allocating enough time to the hike. When you plan your hike, make sure you will be able to climb down the mountain well before sunset.
Sufficient planning and proper time allocation is part of good hiking etiquette. Keep in mind that Mt. Takao becomes pitch black after sunset.
Depending on the time of year, you can enjoy beautiful views of the sunset from the summit and other spots on the mountain. In such a case, be sure to bring along a flashlight or headlamp.
Takao Tozan Dentetsu Co. Ltd.
Address: 2205 Takaomachi, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 193-0844
TEL: 042-661-4151
Takaosan Yakuoin Temple
Address: 2177 Takaomachi, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 193-0844
TEL: 042-661-1115
Takao Visitor Center
Address: 2176 Takaomachi, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 193-0844
TEL: 042-664-7872
Tokyo Fire Department Emergency center
If you are in doubt as to whether you should call an ambulance or for other medical advice during an emergency, call the Emergency Telephone Consultation Center.
The following are some of the primary services provided by the Center:
-Information regarding medical facilities.
-Advice regarding first aid.
-Information on how to reach a medical facility.
-Arranging for the dispatch of an ambulance when necessary.
Emergency Telephone Consultation Center, Tokyo Fire Department
#7119 (Cell phones, PHS, push button phones)
The Center accepts calls 24 hours a day, all year round.
*Please help us by requesting an ambulance only when necessary in order to make sure that ambulances are available for those who are really in need of one.
* If you need urgent assistance, please call 119 directly.