Going from Haneda to Mount Takao on landing day? Your suitcase cannot come up the mountain. Three plans by flight time, gear tips and autumn-foliage crowds to plan around.
Mt. Takao is in Hachioji, Tokyo, with Takaosanguchi Station on the Keio Line right at its foot — the easiest proper hike from the city. Plenty of travellers want to go the day they land, and then hit the first problem: a large suitcase cannot come up the mountain with you. Planning the trip from Haneda to Mount Takao starts with deciding where your luggage goes.
Haneda to Mount Takao: three plans, depending on when you land
1. Accommodation first, hike the next day (the safest)
If you land in the afternoon or evening, the car takes you to your hotel in the city or around Hachioji; you rest and set off light the next morning. The cable car and chairlift only run until early evening and it gets dark early on the mountain, so an afternoon arrival leaves very little time. Check cable car and chairlift hours with Takao Tozan Railway.
2. Stay near Mt. Takao
There are hot-spring facilities and inns around Takaosanguchi. If you stay here, the car goes from the airport straight to your door, and you can hike from there once you have checked in. Give the full address when booking, and our team will confirm the drop-off point with the driver.
3. Ship your luggage and travel light
If you land in the morning and want to hike the same day, hand your suitcase to a luggage delivery counter at the airport and have it sent to that night's hotel, keeping only your daypack. Both Narita and Haneda have delivery counters — see the Narita Airport and Haneda Airport websites. With just daypacks, either the Alphard or the Hiace works.
A few notes on gear
- Whether trekking poles and outdoor equipment can go in the cabin depends on your airline; most need to be checked.
- You can change into hiking boots in the car rather than wearing them through the airport.
- For a group with gear and luggage, the Alphard seats 7 with room for 6 bags; for larger groups, the Hiace seats 10 with room for 9. See how much luggage fits in each vehicle.
Autumn foliage: allow extra time
November is foliage season on Mt. Takao, and the Hachioji Convention & Visitors Association holds the Mt. Takao Momiji Festival. Weekends bring big crowds around Takaosanguchi and heavier traffic on nearby roads, so allow more time for transfers in or out during this period. For more on autumn trips from the airport, see autumn foliage airport transfers.
Price and drive time
Mt. Takao is inside Tokyo Metropolis and is charged at the Tokyo rate: from Haneda, Alphard ¥15,000 or Hiace ¥17,000; from Narita, Alphard ¥22,000 or Hiace ¥27,000 (per vehicle, tax included). Hachioji is much further out than central Tokyo, so please ask our team for the drive time. See Haneda to Tokyo and Narita to Tokyo; for trains and buses from Haneda, see Haneda Airport to Tokyo transport compared.
Decide where your luggage is going first, then send your flight and accommodation details on the booking page.
FAQ
- Can a car take me from Haneda to Mount Takao (Takaosanguchi) so I can start hiking?
- The car can drop you around Takaosanguchi, but suitcases cannot go on the trails and you should not count on finding storage at the trailhead. If you want to hike on arrival day, ship your luggage to your accommodation first, or check in somewhere near Mt. Takao before you set off.
- Can I book a car back to the city after the hike?
- Yes, as a separate booking. Hiking time depends on the weather and your pace, so give a rough finish time and pickup point when booking; our team will confirm the arrangements.
- Is Mt. Takao priced at the Tokyo rate?
- Mt. Takao is in Hachioji, inside Tokyo Metropolis, and is charged at the Tokyo rate, for example ¥15,000 from Haneda by Alphard (per vehicle, tax included). Hachioji is much further out than the city centre, so drive time and the final quote are confirmed by our live support team.