Mt. Jinba — Quiet Trails and Big Views Next to Mt. Takao

If Mt. Takao feels crowded, Mt. Jinba is the calm alternative. A peaceful ridge hike with sweeping Fuji views, teahouses along the trail, and space to truly breathe.

If Mt. Takao feels busy, Mt. Jinba (857m) is where you go to find space. Just one ridge over from Takao, it’s part of the same mountain range — but with far fewer people and a lot more silence.

The hike takes you through cedar forests and rolling ridgelines, with a few small teahouses dotted along the way where you can grab a bowl of soba or a cold drink. The summit is marked by a massive white horse statue — Jinba’s symbol — and on a clear day, you can see Mt. Fuji stretching across the horizon.

Many hikers start at Mt. Takao, walk the Takao–Jinba Ridge Trail, and finish at Jinba for a full-day trek that shows off the best of Tokyo’s western mountains. It’s the kind of hike that’s close to the city but feels a world away.

Getting there: From Shinjuku, take the Keio Line to Takao Station or Takaosanguchi, or head directly to Jinba Kogen-shita by bus from Fujino Station.

Recommended time: 4–6 hours (depending on route).

Difficulty: Moderate — with steady climbs but no technical sections.

Best for: Hikers who love long, scenic ridge walks and fewer crowds.