Mt. Takao with an altitude of 599 m is located in Hachioji City, Tokyo. It is designated as Meijinomori-Takao Quasi-National Park, which is the starting point of the Tokai Shizen Hodo (the Tokai Nature Path) leading to Meijinomori-Minoo Quasi-National Park in Osaka.

As the laurel forests and deciduous forests in this mountain have been protected by the government since the Edo period (1603-1868), this is the treasure trove of natural flora and fauna. The mountain provides a tranquil resting spot for the people in the area around Tokyo.

Mt. Takao has also been worshipped as a holy site for a long time. Takaosan Yakuoin Yukiji Temple located in the mountainside is a Daihonzan (the major head temple) of the Chizan school of the Shingon sect. It is one of the three major temples of the Shingon sect in the Kanto region; others are Naritasan Shinshoji Temple and Kawasaki Daishi, Heikenji Temple.

Being close to Tokyo Metropolitan area, the mountain has been explored by a lot of scholars including a biologist Tomitaro Makino and a lot of new plants were discovered first in this mountain.