Less than an hour by train from central Tokyo, Mt. Takao, considered a sacred mountain, is a popular day trip destination year-round.

To reach the summit, visitors can opt to hike in nature using the paved trails or enjoy the scenic views from the top of an observatory that can be reached by chair lift or cable car.

In this experience, a specialist guide who knows the trails will pick the best route for you depending on your preference and time of year, and you can enjoy hiking this scenic area while learning about its rich history.

But it doesn’t end there. Near the summit, you’ll reach Yakuo-in temple, a heritage site with over 1,000 years of history that has been protected for centuries. A Zen Buddhist temple, one of the most important tenets it upholds is that every life is sacred and bounties of nature must be brought forth. Therefore, vegan meals following the principles of Zen Buddhist cuisine (shojin ryori) are served onsite.

With a colorful assortment of seasonal ingredients prepared innovatively, these meals are both healthy and replenishing for body and mind, and in this experience, you will enjoy a shojin ryori meal for lunch.

Relish in the comforting flavors of this centuries-old culinary tradition, and take in the verdant views from the temple while your host tells you all about Mt. Takao on this unforgettable hiking trip.