15 Kilometers with 4 built-in aid stations, the route from 高尾山 – Takaosan – Mt Takao to 陣馬山 – Jimbasan – Mt Jimba is set up like a trail event for every day.
If you are looking for a 3-4 hour trailrun which is easily reachable from central 東京 – Toukyou –Tokyo, the route from 高尾山 – Takaosan – Mt Takao to 陣馬山 – Jimbasan – Mt Jimba is perhaps your best option. The route is just about 15K, goes through some nice runnable trail, and includes 4 peaks with mountaintop shacks selling food which can act as aid stations for your journey.
See Our Guides to Get You Started
Making your way to the Takao trail head? Check out our guide on getting there.
Though I have done this route in warmer weather with just a utility belt, it is always best to head out to the mountains prepared. See our guide on what to bring to the trails.
What follows is a breakdown of the route by segment.
Takaosanguchi to Mt Takao
| Aid | Mt Takao |
| Altitude | 599m |
| Distance | 3.7K |
| Elevation Gain | 418m |
| Elevation Drop | 34m |
| Amenities | Toilet, Food, Drink |
Notes:
This journey starts at the train station at 高尾山口 – Takaosanguchi – Takaosanguchi. We recommend the Route 2 to Route 3 path up the mountain, but there are other ways to the top of Mt Takao. You can review them all with our guide to the routes up Takao.
Mt Takao to Mt Kobotoke-Shiroyama
| Aid | Mt Kobotoke-Shiroyama |
| Altitude | 670m |
| Distance | 2.5K |
| Elevation Gain | 193m |
| Elevation Drop | 127m |
| Amenities | Toilet, Food, Drink |
Notes:
After taking a photo of 富士山 – Fujisan – Mt Fuji, turn right and follow the short ramp to the right, pass the small crop of picnic tables and then the stairs down. At the base of the staircase, veer right and take the makimichi for a nice downhill run. At the base of the hill, the makimichi connects with the central trail. There is another makimichi 10 meters later which provides a nice gradual trail for running (or power hiking). This second makimichi ends at 一丁平 – Icchoudaira – Icho Daira, a small picnic area with toilet facilities. Follow the trail up to the right and there is a Mt Fuji viewing platform, from which you can also see the 北アルプス – Kita Arupusu –Northern Alps in the distance.
Continue on the main path for another 750m to the top of 小仏城山 – Kobotoke Shiroyama – Kobotoke Shiroyama. After the short climb to the peak of Shiroyama, a small plateau opens up.
To the right is a view overlooking Tokyo. On a clear day you can easily pick out Tokyo Sky Tree across the city. To the left, if you make your way to a clearing, you can see 相模湖 – Sagamiko – Lake Sagami, the site of boating sports in the 1964 Olympics, and past it, further to the west, Mt Fuji.
Chaya
In front of you is a mess of makeshift picnic tables and chairs surrounding a 茶屋 – chaya – food shack selling hot and cold food and drinks. There is water, beer, sake, coffee, and an assortment of soft drinks and sports drinks. They also have soups and instant noodles. Their nameko miso was once featured on a TV variety show. On a hot day, the shaved ice is a lifesaver. The toilet facilities are located just off the gathering area on the Tokyo city side.
Kobotoke Shiroyama to Mt Kagenobu
| Aid | Mt Kagenobu |
| Altitude | 727m |
| Distance | 2K |
| Elevation Gain | 187m |
| Elevation Drop | 132m |
| Amenities | Toilet, Food, Drink |
Notes:
The trail continues on the far side of the picnic area from where you arrived at the summit. There is a barn on the left, and a large antenna on the right of the trail opening. The dirt floor is soft in the first section, and some wooden steps were constructed to prevent erosion and aid those with less sure footing. When dry, apart from the man-made structures, this area is a joy to run. Proceed with caution when wet. After a short steep spell, the descent continues at a more gradual rate, with some twists and turns until you get to a small clearing with benches on the left.
Koushukaido
Under the tree cover you can make out Lake Sagami more clearly, and Mt Fuji in the distance. Continue further to the right. There is a fork in the trail, both sides of which take you where you are going. They meet at Kobotoke Pass. This is an historic mountain pass on the 甲州街道 – Koushukaido – Koushukaido, connecting the old 甲斐国 – Kainokuni – Kai domain to 江戸 – Edo – Edo. Entourages of 大名 – Daimyo – Daimyo and their samurai retainers would travel between their fief in Kai to the shogun’s base in Edo, making their way up and over this mountain pass along the way.
Pass to the left of the large dilapidated hut and continue straight, taking the trail up into the mountain in front of you. From here, the trail winds and climbs. There are short downhill stretches, but invariably you will climb again.
After about 1.5k there is a short descent, a level sprint, and then a bit more exposed, the trail climbs steeply to the right. You’ll notice some concrete slabs planted to help with grip. At the top is 景信山 – Kagenobuyama – Mt Kagenobu. There are two chaya on the top of Kagenobu, the lower and the upper. From the landing at the top of the climb you have a clear view of the Sagamiko dam as well as the Sasa Ridge on which you have been running.
The lower chaya is up a short flight of stairs. They sell the same variety of chaya drinks you’ve seen before. The man who runs this stand travels up from Kobotoke Pass on a motorized sled with provisions and his dogs. The dogs are friendly and can be seen in front of the stand, to the right.
To get to the upper chaya, you can go on either side of the lower. They also sell drinks and food, as well as some small souvenirs. I recall seeing signs for Japanese whiskey at this one, too. The view of northern Tokyo opens up quite a bit on the eastern side of the peak. A view of Mt Fuji can be had on the western side, through a narrow clearing in the trees. With the changing leaves, this view can be stunning in the Autumn.
The toilet facilities are located just down a trail to the east of the lower yamagoya.
Mt Kagenobu to Myou Pass
| Aid | Myou Pass |
| Altitude | 720m |
| Distance | 3.8K |
| Elevation Gain | 184m |
| Elevation Drop | 172m |
| Amenities | Toilet, Food*, Drink* |
Notes:
The trail continues north. With the city view on your right, the summit marker is on a mound to the left. The immediate downhill can be a bit slippery even in dry conditions. This route is punctuated by many ups and downs but is pretty runnable. There are fewer man-made structures now that you have traveled deeper into the woods, and there are fewer people. The trail can be pretty technical in places going forward with tree roots forcing you to pay attention and pick your feet up.
Mt Dodokoro
Navigating this segment isn’t difficult, though there is one spot to watch out for. I have seen some people make a wrong turn at 堂所山 – Doudokoroyama – Mt Dodokoro. In general, when you see a hill, I suggest you go up and over. That said, at Mt Dodokoro, you can take the makimichi to the left and you will not compromise your run.
If you do end up going over the very technical climb up Mt Dodokoro, you can exit the summit from the left immediately after the climb, and you will rejoin the trail soon thereafter. After about 1K from Mt Dodokoro, you will have a gradual ascent to 明王峠 -Myouoo Touge – Myou Pass. There is a small hut here which is not as regular in its hours of operation as the other stops along the way. That said, I once had the most delicious tempura made from local mountain vegetables on a stop here.
Aside from the hut, Myou Pass has benches and a toilet.
The toilet facilities are very rudimentary here. You can find them on the left past the hut as you look at it when you approach.
Take note of the trail just to the side of the toilet shack. This is one option down to the train.
Myou Pass to Mt Jimba
| Aid | Mt Jimba |
| Altitude | 854m |
| Distance | 2.5K |
| Elevation Gain | 148m |
| Elevation Drop | 44m |
| Amenities | Toilet, Food, Drink |
Notes:
In this final section, there is an elevation gain of just about 100m over 2K. Much of this section is also runnable, but you might notice more people on the trail. As you approach the summit, you will notice more trail maintenance works in the form of stair blocks.
You approach the top from the southeast. As you climb the final steps, you are greeted, or better yet, confronted by a white phallus of a horse statue. Take a picture, you’ve earned it.
In front of you, past the statue, the 笹尾根 – Sasaone – Sasa Ridge continues its way past 和田峠 – Wada Touge – Wada Pass, 醍醐丸 – Daigomaru – Daigomaru and the Hasetsune course up to 三頭山 – Mitosan – Mt Mito. Off to the west, if unobscured by clouds and haze, you have a great view of Mt Fuji. There are three food shacks on Mt Jimba, one is open year round, another closes durning the first couple months of the year, and the third is only open during peak months. The fare at each is relatively similar. You can get a variety of hot and cold beverages, including water and sports drink to refill your supplies. You can also get heartier fare like soups and noodles, as well as oden which is great during colder weather runs.
The toilet facilities are in a shack down to the right, towards the trail off to Wada Pass.
How do you get home from Jimba?
There are many options, but we’ll offer 3:
Option 1 – There and Back
Turn around and head straight back to Takaosanguchi.
This is a popular option. This sort of there-and-back mountain trail is referred to as a ピストン – pisuton – piston in Japanese. The benefits of this option are:
a. ease of navigation, you just travelled the same route
b. you get to double your distance on the day, which feels good (unless you are already tired, in which case it is not a benefit!)
c. Takao Onsen is waiting for you at the base of the mountain
d. Beers are also waiting at the base of the mountain.
Option 2 – Sagamiko Train Station
You can run the way back to Myou Pass and tun off to Sagamiko train station
This is a 99% trail option, ending a picturesque shrine sporting an impressively steep stone staircase. At Myou Pass, take the trail down which starts next to the toilet hut.
Trains from Sagamiko Station run on the Chuo Line. Most will terminate at Takao Station where you can transfer to the Tokyo Station-bound trains, or transfer to the Keio Line for Shinjuku and Shibuya.
Option 3 – Fujino Train Station
Take the route off Jimba towards 藤野 – Fujino – Fujino on the 一ノ尾根 – ichinoone – Ichino Ridge
This is a combination of a buttery 3K run down a gradual slope and a 2 run on roads through a sleepy town, the second half of which is a challenging climb up to the train station.
The bittersweet nature of this route, the sliky smooth downhill followed by the dig-deep 1K road climb, makes this one a favorite of JMT. A strong finish up that hill gives you a sense of success that brings joy and brings you back.
Fujino Station is one stop away from Sagamiko Station.