Mount Takao in Late December

Hello,

I was thinking of squeezing a day hike to Mt Takao when I am around Tokyo on Christmas Eve (24th December 2017).

Is it advisable:
1. What is the scenery like?
2. Will there be snow?
3. Will it be very crowded?

Will also appreciate if I could get recommendations on possible areas of attraction in the same direction as well!

Thank you very much (:

Scenery:
- you can get some nice views over Tokyo in the distance.
- Momiji probably will be over by then.
- it is small trails up to the upper ropeway station, and then a wide kind of asphalated street up to the shrines and again a little bit more mountain trailish on the last meters up to the peak. More real mountain experience will be only beyond the peak.

Snow:
-I guess it is not impossible. Kind of depends on the weather a few days before.
This webpage seems to have a daily update on the conditions on Takaosan but in Japanese. Try google translate: https://www.yamakei-online.com/mt_info/info_detail.php?info_id=1012

Other attractions; there is a newly built onsen at the foot of the mountain near to Keio Takaosanguchi Station. I haven�ft been there but sounds like a good place.

If you go by Keio Line you might also stop by Takahatafudo. There is an interesting temple near the station and in the street leading to it on the left hand side shortly before reaching the temple one of the best places where I ever ate Tempura don.

But I personally would need two days for this as I am a slow sightseer.

Enjoy your trip to Japan!

The most interesting attraction in the area, IMO, is Moff Animal Cafe, one station away (or easy walking distance) from the base of Mount Takao. You can hang out with hedgehogs and meerkats, lizards and parrots and many other small animals while you drink coffee: http://animalcafes.com/v/25661.html There's also a big shopping mall there, if you want to see how ordinary Japanese people spend their time, instead of only going to tourist spots.

The hike itself isn't too difficult, but there will be lots of other people on the easy routes. (There's also a more difficult route that's a little bit dangerous.) It's very unlikely that you'll get snow, but anything is possible. Here are a few views of the scenery: http://whereintokyo.com/venues/25397.html