Today's family outing was planned by Kirk so it was a pleasant surprise to have no idea where we were headed until we got there. Mt. Takao is a favorite hiking destination for many Tokoyites because it is only about 1.5 hours outside of Tokyo. The last picture actually shows Tokyo in the distance.
When I get Kirk's camera I'll add acouple more pictures, because you guys have to see the cable car we rode to get up the mountain. Basically the entire mountain is crossed with trails from .5 mile nature trails to serious 5 mile hikes. Most people opt for taking a cable car up 3/4 of the mountain then some will return the same way and others hike down.
About 15 minutes hike further up the mountain from the cable car is a beautiful temple which actually has many terraces that stretch the remaining way to the summit of the mountain. Unfortunately we got a late start to our day and we only made it as far as the base temple. We are planning to go back in the next 2 weeks and actually summit.
The leaves are just now starting to change color so within the next two weeks it should be a true fall display like I've always wanted to see. Between the temple and the cable car is a small refuge for snow monkeys so we'd like to see that next time also.
Just for the record, Kirk is not playing Michael Jackson and holding Sarah over the edge, but you all know how she loves the wind and it was really blowing up there so she giggled the entire time daddy let her 'fly'. In fact, as usual she loved everything about being outside and spent much of the hike talking to herself and everyone she could find.
This is definately a trip we will take everyone on when they visit, it's amazing just how beautiful and peaceful it is so close to Tokyo. I can't wait to go back...next time Kirk said we can take the trail with the suspension bridge. Woohoo!!!!
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