From Takao to the Kogesawa valley 💮♒
A fresh hiking idea in Takao: doing a scenic trailrun along a clear mountain river surrounded by lush greenery.
Although Kogesawa is mainly famous for its plum grove and the stunning white and pink flowers that bloom in March, I always find myself revisiting the area during the warmest summer months. Its riverside trail consistently provides a vibrant green canopy, refreshing air, and -naturally- crystal-clear water perfect for splashing! Definitely a unique trail running experience in Tokyo.
Like always in the Takao area, the trails are really safe and well-maintained, and public transportation makes it easy to get to both the start and finish. Plus, you can easily find a bus stop nearby if needed, so trail running in Takao is always accessible and great for families. Unlike the routes up to the summit, which can get pretty crowded on weekends and holidays, these quieter trails are fun and enjoyable all year round.
Details
| 📏 Distance | 16 km (~3h) |
| 🗻 Climb | 258 m |
| 📌 Start | JR Takao Station North Exit |
| 🏁 End | JR Takao Station North Exit |
| 💪 Level | All levels, the run is smooth and shaded, about 50% paved |
| 👟 Shoes | Trailrunning shoes are recommended, but grippy running shoes can be sufficient |
Access and amenities
| 🚄 Access | Takao Station is accessible in about 50 minutes from both the JR and Keio lines, with a fare of approximately 500 JPY. Both lines operate frequently, with trains arriving roughly every 30 minutes. |
| 🗄 Lockers | Takao Station has several, notably on the train platform near the North Exit, with costs of 400 or 500 JPY. |
| ♨ Hot springs | Keio Takaosan Onsen Gokurakuyu is situated just behind Takaosanguchi Station, roughly a 15-minute walk or a single train stop away from Takao Station. |
| 🚻 Toilets | Bathrooms are available at Takao Station, and at the start of Hikagezawa Forest Road (about 15 minutes off the main path) |
| 🍽 Food | Two convenience can be found opposite the North Exit of Takao Station, open 24/7. Additionally, there are a couple vending machines located aound Takao Station and along the way. |
The route
You can begin this hike from either Takao Station or Takaosanguchi Station, as the trail starts somewhere between them. I usually opt for Takao Station since it’s accessible via both Keio and JR lines. After exiting from Takao’s North Exit, run west along the road toward Takaosanguchi Station. Just before crossing under the Keio Line bridge, I recommend taking a short detour to Shinmei Shrine, which offers beautiful river views.
From there, turn left onto Takao Plum Tree Road, a shaded and scenic trail that follows the Minamiasa River initially, then continues along the Koshu Kaido Road all the way to the trout fishing pond. Along the route, you'll encounter an abandoned atelier with partially finished statues: a great spot for some interesting photos.
After arriving at the fishing pond, turn right to ascend toward Kogesawa Valley. At first, you'll be surrounded by the plum orchard, which is unfortunately fenced off and closed for most of the year.
Then, the river trail begins winding up the valley, initially as a wide forest road leading to a hut used for community events. The trail then narrows, with barriers to prevent vehicle access and occasional collapses.
After a few kilometers of scenic views, lush greenery, and waterfalls, the river will disappear from sight, signaling the end of this summer hiking escape in Tokyo and the perfect time for a fun downhill run back to the start.
For those interested, the trail continues up the ridge to Dodokoro-yama and connects to a broader network of trails leading to Kagenobu and Jinba.