ACCESS TO THIS HIKING COURSE:
Mt. Takao’s trail is just off the Keio Takao Line Takaosanguchi station | 京王高尾線高尾山口駅.
It takes about 1 hour by train from Shinjuku staition.
HIKING OVERVIEW:
If you can not enjoy hiking because it is too hot in summer in Japan.
How about hiking starting from the evening?
August 15, 2018 I went hiking at Mt. Takao at night.
There are two reasons.
The first one is to see the japanese giant squirrel at Mt. Takao at night.
Mt. Takao lives a lot of the japanese giant squirrel, but since they are nocturnal they can not meet without visiting at night.
Another reason is to enjoy the night view of Tokyo from Mt. Takao.
You can look over Tokyo from near the cable car platform. If the air is clear, you can hope for Sky Tree and Tokyo Tower.
The night view of Tokyo from mountain was simply stunning.
WHAT TO BRING:
• mountaineering shoes
• Sufficient water (1.5 liters on this day)
• Light snack (Sandwiches and rice balls etc…)
• the mosquito repellent spray
• changing clothes (If you visit a hot spring.)
• Light with red cellophane attached
↓↓↓↓
The japanese giant squirrel is very timid.
If you hit the light of the light directly, they may scare and may not come out of the nest. Be sure to put a red cellophane on the light.
SCHEDULE FOR THIS DAY:
Keio Takao Line Takaosanguchi station | 京王高尾線高尾山口駅（4:00 PM）
(Mt. Takao has some trails, but I chose Inariyama Trail this day.)
↓
Mt.Takao| 高尾山山頂（5:30 PM）
↓
Yakuo-in | 薬王院有喜寺（6:00 PM）
(you have to report the observation of the Giant Flying Squirrel to the company office of shrine which is called as Shamu-Sho 社務所.)
↓
Takao station of cable car | ケーブルカー 高尾山駅（7:30 PM）
↓
Keio Takao Line Takaosanguchi station | 京王高尾線高尾山口駅（8:30 PM）
As a result, did I see Giant Flying Squirrel?
On this day, I was able to see Giant Flying Squirrel, I will summarize concrete actions below.
6:00 PM
I arrived at Yakuo-in as planned, the sunset of this day is scheduled for 6:32 PM.
I immediately looked for Tree hollow which is the nest of Giant Flying Squirrel.
A tree hollow or tree hole is a semi-enclosed cavity which has naturally formed in the trunk or branch of a tree. They are found mainly in old trees, whether living or not. Hollows form in many species of trees, and are a prominent feature of natural forests and woodlands, and act as a resource or habitat for a number of vertebrate and invertebrate animals.
Quote: Wikipedia
6:30 PM
I found 2 Tree hollows that seemed to be nest of Giant Flying Squirrel in 30 minutes after arrival.
One in the back of Oku-no-Fudoin and one in the middle of the staircase leading to the summit.
A few minutes to sunset, I waited for sunset.
6:45 PM
I kept observing the Tree hollows in the stairs for about 15 minutes, but Giant Flying Squirrel did not show up, I headed for another candidate Oku-no-Fudoin.
I came to foot of the tree and turned on the light and looked up to the Tree hollow.
Then …
There was! ! !
Clearly the red eyes of Giant Flying Squirrel from the Tree hollow were watching me!
Because Giant Flying Squirrel is afraid of lights, I knew that if I shine a lot of light on him, he will not come out of the nest.
Nonetheless, I could not hide joy and excitement in the face of the first Giant Flying Squirrel and I did shine a lot of light on to his nest many times.
But due to my misbehavior, Giant Flying Squirrel did not come out easily from the nest.
7:10 PM
The first excitement I found Giant Flying Squirrel settled down little by little, I tried to shift the light from the nest and shine a light on.
Then Giant Flying Squirrel was relieved, came out of the nest and showed me the whole picture.
The Giant Flying Squirrel I met for the first time was bigger than I imagined, surprisingly it was about the size of a cat.
The Giant Flying Squirrel is also called “a flying a zabuton” and is the largest species of mouse in Japan in the eyes.
7:15 PM
After leaving the nest The Giant Flying Squirrel wandered around the trees, for a while, then disappeared into the depths of the forest without flying through the sky.
I could not see The Giant Flying Squirrel which is flying this day after all in the end.
I think now, it may be because I was too excited at the Giant Flying Squirrel who appeared at last, and shine a light on too many times.
The lesson I got this day is that if you discover the Giant Flying Squirrel, do not shine a light directly on the light.
Apparently the Giant Flying Squirrel is a very cowardly creature, and if you shine a light directly on too, they will alarmed and will not move at all.
I can witness the giant of the Giant Flying Squirrel to fly at a later date, but it can be said that reflection at this time was useful.
It will also summarizes it in another blog.
Map of the hiking course
↑Click the image to open a map expanded with new tab↑
CAUTIONS WHEN OBSERVE:
- If you want to directly illuminate the musasabi, use red cellophane paper and gently light up with red light and let’s observe.
- Let’s observe quietly without loud voice.
- Let’s minimize the photography with the strobe.
- Bon fires are forbidden.
- setting up a tent is prohibited.
- Please do not leave any trash.
- Please stop acts that threaten the living things.
- Please do not enter into the fence or the implantation.
- Please do not light the inside of the building with a powerful light.
AFTER THE HIKE:
There is a hot spring at Takao-San-guchi station which is the goal of the hiking course.
Keio Takaosan hot spring “Gokuraku-yu” is able to enjoy an outdoor bath and a variety of compatible bathtubs and saunas for a bathing rate of 1,000 yen.
If you go home on a hot spring and relax, take a change of clothes.
Store Information
Name: Gokuraku-yu | 極楽湯
Address : 2229 7th Takao-machi, Hachioji, Tokyo
Tel: 042-663-4126
website: http://www.takaosan-onsen.jp/english/
Access : Next to the Keio Takao Line Takaosanguchi station
Closed: open 365 days per year
Business hours : 8: 00 ~ 23: 00 (last entrance reception 22: 00)
Usage fee : 1000 yen (Bathing fee included)
If you are looking for guide of this tour please refer to the following.
Private Tour | Observation of the Japanese Flying Giant Squirrel (Musasabi) at Mt.Takao
