The old monk

We went to hike on Mt. Takao today, which is about 1 hour away by express train from where we live in busy Kichijoji, Tokyo. This mountain is a favourite hiking place for Tokyo residents for many reasons, such as being relatively near, as well as for having ancient temples and forests that have never been cut.

The emperor in the Nara Era, in about 744 AD, had the entire mountain and temples declared a sacred area where any removal or damage to natural resources was strictly forbidden. This is why, you can find trees that are over 1000 years old (cedars and cypress) all over the mountain, along with monkeys and other wildlife.

I love this mountain, but it can be very crowded on weekends.... On week days however, it is a joy to hike its many ancient paths.