Mount Takao, located in Hachioji about an hour west of central Tokyo by train, is a popular destination for day-tripping hikers.
It is surprising to know about 1,600 species of plants live on the not-so-high 599-meter mountain. They account for about 30 percent of all plant species in the country, according to the mountain's visitor center. The blessed environment is created by a rare mixture of temperate and warm temperate forests, resulting in a treasure trove of animals and vegetation.
The number of mountain climbers has surged since the Japan edition of the Michelin Green Guide travel books rated Mount Takao as a three-star travel site in 2007. As many as 3 million people now visit the mountain every year.