INDEX
A mountain house, not a beach house
Celeina: What was it that attracted you to mountains?
Hikichi：I started out working for a company called GREENROOM, doing various activities on the ocean side, but I originally loved nature, and when I quit GREENROOM and came to the mountain side, I felt a gap, so I thought it would be interesting if the mountain side was opened up like the ocean side.
Celeina: And you created a “mountain house” instead of a beach house.
Hikiji: When I went to the ocean, there were beach houses, but there were no mountain houses on the mountain side. There are mountain huts, though.
Takano: They are different in function, aren’t they?
Hikiji: Yes, that’s right. So I wondered if I could create a place where people could enjoy the mountains more and communicate with each other, so I produced and opened Takao Mountain House last October at the foot of Mt.
Takano: By coincidence, I am going to climb Mt. Takao this weekend. I have no choice but to go there now.
Hikiji: It is right in front of the trailhead, just outside of Takaoyamaguchi Station, so please come visit us.
Takano: What kind of things does the TAKAO MOUTAIN HOUSE have to offer?
Hikiji: : We have an outdoor brand Salomon’s store, a deck terrace, and a cafe stand.
Celeina: You can even enjoy a cup of coffee.
Takano: I want to stop by both before and after the climb.
Hikiji: The concept is to have a cup of hand-drip coffee before climbing Mt. Takao, then have a craft beer on the way back and take the train home.
Celeina: Isn’t that the best course? It’s very fulfilling. I don’t go to the mountains much, so I don’t know, but is it hot this time of year?
Hikiji: Mt. Takao is only 599 meters above sea level, so it is hot, but there are some routes that are cooler, such as one with a stream running through it.
Celeina: I see, that sounds great!
Hikiji: Actually, Mt. Takao has the highest number of climbers in the world.
Takano/Celeina: Is that so?
Celeina: Why are there so many people?
Hikiji: Because you can get to the trailhead in 5 minutes after exiting the ticket gate, and it only takes about an hour from Shinjuku Station. I don’t think you can find such a mountain anywhere in the world. Please visit the mountain.
