Private Mt. Takao Hike & Onsen from Shinjuku with Ex-JR Conductor

I had an incredible time on this tour, which was the perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Meeting at Shinjuku was incredibly convenient, and our guide, Samurai Guide Sho, made the whole process seamless from the very start. I was especially impressed by the Green Car ride; the seats were so comfortable, and it was a huge relief to avoid the stress of typical crowded trains. The hiking pace was adjusted perfectly for the summer weather, allowing us to enjoy the nature without feeling exhausted. To top it off, soaking in a hot spring right after the descent was the absolute highlight of the day, making it a truly memorable experience.

Sho is very proactive and extremely helpful ...he stayed in touch much before the day of hike and explained the journey and what to expect. The day visit was super good and we thoroughly enjoyed it as a family ... a great immersion into temple prayers and a lovely hike

I joined a Mt. Takao tour with Samurai Guide Sho, and it was a truly memorable experience. One of the most meaningful moments was spending quiet time in front of the waterfall used for training. Standing there without thinking about anything felt surprisingly calming and grounding. Before the hike, I mentioned that I am not comfortable with stairs. Sho immediately adjusted the route to avoid stair-heavy paths, which allowed me to enjoy the hike without knee pain. His consideration and flexibility made the experience very comfortable. At the summit, the view was slightly hazy, but we could still see Mt. Fuji, which was deeply moving. It is amazing that such a beautiful landscape exists so close to the city. We also visited a temple near the summit, where taking time to pray naturally brought a sense of mental clarity. After descending the mountain, relaxing in the onsen and enjoying a craft beer afterward was the perfect way to end the day. Everything felt more rewarding because we had taken the time to walk, reflect, and slow down.

I joined this hike because I was intrigued by the idea of being guided by a modern-day Japanese samurai. The samurai’s name is Sho. He arrived at the meeting point dressed exactly as shown in the photos. I found myself wondering if this was what a samurai wears on his day off. His appearance and calm presence immediately put me at ease, as I was feeling a little nervous at first. Sho has over 20 years of experience not only in hiking, but also with Japanese railways. I have some interest in trains, and although it was just a short time, he shared a few fascinating insights about Japan’s railway system, which I really enjoyed. We began our hike alongside the cable car tracks, which are part of the railway system as well. I had brought full hiking gear with me, but Sho explained that as long as you wear comfortable clothes, it’s more than enough. He was right. Comfortable walking shoes and layers that are easy to put on and take off were all I really needed. Throughout the hike, Sho regularly checked in with me about my walking pace, hydration, and clothing. We talked about Mt. Takao, Japan, and also about ourselves. Perhaps because we were walking in nature, the conversation felt very natural, and I found myself opening up without even realizing it. Time passed quickly and pleasantly. At one point, Sho suggested that we stop talking, put our phones away, and simply feel nature. In that quiet moment, I noticed sounds and sensations I would normally never hear. It was a very refreshing and memorable experience. He also shared insights drawn from his experience, such as mentioning that although it was the off-season, the good weather meant there were more people than usual, or that the river level was lower that day. These small details made the hike feel very grounded and authentic. We alternated between enjoyable conversation and moments of silence in nature, and before I knew it, we had reached the summit. Sho took me to a spot with a beautiful view of Mt. Fuji, which was truly stunning. What I felt after joining this tour was that a modern samurai is not only fascinating, but also a kind, reliable, and thoughtful trip advisor. Thank you, Samurai. Thank you, Sho.

This was one of my favorite days in Tokyo. Our guide, Sho, was very friendly and made everyone feel comfortable. From the first meeting at Shinjuku, everything went smoothly. During the hike, he kept a relaxed pace and checked on everyone. We always felt supported. I liked how he shared stories when needed, but also respected quiet moments. It made the walk very peaceful. After the hike, the onsen and food were perfect. It felt like a well-earned reward. This was not a typical tourist tour. Thanks to this Samurai guide, it felt personal and warm. I would happily join his tour again.

I really enjoyed this Mt. Takao tour. Meeting Sho was easy, and his calm attitude made me feel relaxed right away. He knows Shinjuku Station, the trains, and Mt. Takao very well, so I never felt worried or rushed during the day. The hike itself wasn’t too hard and felt well paced. We even ended up talking with people we met on the mountain, which was a nice and unexpected part of the experience. Everything felt natural, not forced. After the hike, the onsen was great, and the craft beer brewed on site was honestly amazing. It was the perfect way to relax after walking. This tour felt slow, comfortable, and personal. If you’re looking for something easygoing but still special, I’d definitely recommend it.

I had a really good time on this tour. Sho is very kind and easy to talk to. Even if you don’t know much about hiking in Japan, he explains everything clearly, so I felt safe. We took the train from Shinjuku together, and he helped us with tickets and directions, which was very helpful. The hike was not too hard, and the pace was comfortable. We visited the temple, enjoyed the view, and then went to the onsen and had food and beer. What I liked most was that the tour was very relaxed. No rush, no pressure. It felt more like walking with a friend than joining a big tour. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to enjoy Mt. Takao in a calm way.

Before coming to Japan, I was very nervous because it was my first time visiting a foreign country. While preparing, I found Sho’s SNS and saw him kindly answering questions from travelers around the world, such as “Where should we meet?” and “What kind of clothes are Japanese-style?” Seeing that, I thought, “If this person is my guide, I’ll be okay,” and decided to book his tour. On the day, I arrived safely from Narita to Shinjuku by express train. But once I got there, it felt like another world. So many people, and I suddenly felt anxious. Then I saw Sho standing there in his samurai outfit. I recognized him immediately, and at that moment, all my worries disappeared. As a former railway worker, Sho kindly taught me how to use the trains. Then he said, “I won’t just guide you. Let’s create a fun page of our journey together. Today, we are friends!” It made me so happy that I laughed. We soon arrived at Mt. Takao. On the way up, we talked in English and sometimes using translation apps, laughing all the time. But when the path was dangerous, Sho’s tone changed and he said, “Be careful here.” I felt very safe. We visited a mysterious temple on the way. At one point, he showed me on his app, “Let’s stop talking here.” When I asked why, he said, “Let’s become one with nature.” What kind of guide does that? It was amazing. Sunlight was shining through the trees. The atmosphere was magical. At the summit, Sho said, “Look over there! You can see Mt. Fuji!” It was a little cloudy, but seeing Mt. Fuji for the first time in my life was so emotional. Then suddenly, he gave me a coffee grinder and said, “Grind the beans!” I was surprised! But Sho always treats guests as equal friends. While drinking coffee, he suddenly started laughing with people at another table. I asked, “Are they your friends?” He said, “No, I just met them!” We both laughed. We talked about his clothes, and he said he learned by himself. I suggested, “Why don’t you ask your grandmother?” He translated and called her, and suddenly we had a lesson on how to tie an obi. I even recorded a video. It was my first time seeing something like that. Later, I asked a lovely family if I could take a photo. They kindly said “OK,” and we took a wonderful picture. They also allowed me to post it on SNS. We went down by lift and then to a hot spring. There, we tried local craft beers. They were too strong for me, but because I was with Sho, I tried anyway. After that, we went to Kichijoji and had dinner together. I asked why the restaurant served more Western-style food, and he said, “Many travelers get tired of Japanese food, so I chose this place.” He is always thinking about his guests. Since it was my first time in Japan, he searched and recommended places near my hotel. He was kind until the very end. Before saying goodbye, he left the restaurant early and asked, “Are you still hungry?” Then he took me to eat Iekei ramen. It was my first ramen in Japan, and it was absolutely delicious. Thanks to Sho, my first day in Japan became one of the happiest memories of my life. Tomorrow, I will try the tonkatsu restaurant he recommended! Sho, thank you so much from my heart!

The soba noodles at the summit were excellent after the hike. The Tokyo Milk ice cream was surprisingly good and refreshing. We took the lift on the way down, which was very easy and comfortable. The scenery during the descent was beautiful. The tour stayed enjoyable all the way to the end.

Excellent experience! Recommend for anyone who enjoys nature & temples. Only a hour from Tokyo, perfect for a day trip. The views were beautiful & loved the hike to the summit. Sho was very pleasant & accommodating the entire time.