Best Hikes In Japan: Discover The Most Amazing Hiking Trails

Although known for its dynamic, modern cities and a wide range of great entertainment options, in fact, Japan is primarily made up of mountains with picturesque natural scenery. So, a simple, economical, and exciting hiking trip is the common choice for travelers.

Walking on clean, bright routes with lush trees on both sides, getting some fresh air of Japan, exploring towering mountains, admiring fantastic tropical forests, learning more about the history, nature, and culture of this place or stopping by an unexpected restaurant to eat a local delicacy, are all unforgettable first-time experiences.

Below, we’ve compiled a list of the best hikes in Japan including tough treks in the mountains, through national parks or short trips near the city. Read the information carefully and plan a great hiking trip to explore Japan this summer!

Things to Know Before Hiking in Japan

1. Plan how to get to hiking trails

Since Japan has an effective public transportation system, you can use a variety of buses, boats, trains, or subways to get to the hiking destinations. Depending on your plan and time in Japan, we advise using the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) to travel around the country.

2. Check the weather in advance and choose suitable clothes

Wear the proper hiking clothing for the season and the weather. In the summer, put on light and moisture-wicking clothing.  During the rainy months, you’ll need a raincoat and an umbrella. The wintertime call for layered clothing and coats.

3. Prepare a durable backpack

Whether you are going on a day trek or a multi-day trip, you should bring a sturdy bag to pack all the essentials.

4. Be sure that you have a reusable water bottle

While there are many vending machines and convenience stores in Japan, it could be challenging to find a water source along the route. Remember to bring water and use a bottle that can be reused to reduce plastic waste.

5. Wear robust walking shoes or hiking boots

For hikes on routes made of dirt and with rough surfaces, hiking boots are required. If you want to go on a trek in the rainy season, you should use waterproof shoes. If you select easier and shorter trails, all you need is just comfortable running or walking shoes.

6. Have trekking poles with you

You may need a hiking pole for some of the steep trails. Knee stress can be reduced by using hiking poles, which also aid with balance on rough terrain.

7. Purchase travel insurance

Despite the low possibility of injuries, anything may happen during the hike and medical treatment is necessary.

Best Hikes in Japan

1. Kumano Kodo

This pilgrimage trail goes through the Kii Peninsula’s mountains and has been awarded a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As one of the best hikes in Japan, Kumano Kodo’s wonderful trails lead you to travel through lush forests, alongside white-sand coastlines, and up stunning hillside vistas that provide breathtaking panoramas of the peninsula.

Hiking in Kumano Kodo, you will have a lot of interesting options with many different routes. The most famous route is the Nakahechi pilgrimage trail, which has been used since the 10th century with important historical significance.

Starting from the west coast of Kii-Tanabe, walking 70km along Nakahechi you will come across the Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine which was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. And don’t forget to stop by Yunomine Onsen hot springs which is a wonderful place to relax after a long day of hiking.

Besides the Nakahechi trail, you can also try the Kohechi trail with slightly higher difficulty or make a trip to the Ohechi trail – a beautiful route to see the deep blue ocean.

• Location: Kii Peninsula, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan
• Best time to visit: Year round
• Difficulty: Medium
• Admission fee: Free

2. Mount Fuji

One of the most famous attractions in Japan is Mount Fuji, an active volcano. Mount Fuji, which stands at a towering 3776 meters and is located just 100 kilometers from Tokyo, is an ideal location for nature and outdoor lovers.

The hike to the top of Mount Fuji goes through unspoiled forests with many sacred sites that are home to Buddhist and Shinto shrines. There are ten stations in total across the Fuji climb. The first station is at the mountain’s bottom, while the tenth is at the top.

The Yoshida Trail is the most well-known and easiest among the four routes to Mount Fuji. To see the dawn from the top of Mount Fuji, many tourists spend all night hiking the Yoshida trail.

The Fujinomiya 5th Station is known as the highest of the five stations at 2400 meters above sea level, and the Fujinomiya Trail is also the fastest trail to Mount Fuji.

Because of the station’s convenient amenities and easy accessibility by transportation, the Fujinomiya trail has been ranked as the second most popular route to Mount Fuji. Subashiri Trail and Gotemba Trail are other good options for a hike to Mount Fuji.

• Location: Kitayama, Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan
• Best time to visit: Autumn, Winter
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Admission fee: around 1000 Yen (~7.3 USD)

3. Yakushima

Yakushima which is an island located in the Kagoshima Prefecture is a wonderful place where you can find several of the oldest trees in Japan as well as a variety of animals, including Japanese weasels, sika deer, red-bottomed macaques, and Japanese raccoon dogs.

This island is home to amazing forests, offering you an array of hiking options, with spectacular landscapes. You can select from the Jomon Sugi challenging hike to shorter routes across Shiratani Unsuikyo and Yakusugi Land.

If you’re a beginner, the 22-kilometer, 10-hour hike to the island’s gigantic tree, Jomon Sugi, is a perfect route for you since it offers water and restrooms along the way and is easy to access. Visit the Taikoiwa observation spot in Shiratani Unsuikyo for some breathtaking views.

There is a fun fact that a part of the  Shiratani Unsuikyo forest had become the inspiration for the Studio Ghibli animated film Princess Mononoke.

• Location: Yakushima Town, Kumage, Kagoshima, Japan
• Best time to visit: Autumn, Summer, Spring
• Difficulty: Easy to Medium
• Admission fee: Free for some trails, however some may cost around 500 Yen (~3.6 USD) per person

4. The Shikoku Henro Pilgrimage

Shikoku Island is well-known for its numerous temples and the Shikoku Henro Pilgrimage trail that spreads more than 1000 kilometers while stopping at all 88 temples and shrines. For temple buffs, it is undoubtedly among the best hikes in Japan.

It will take you between 6 weeks and 2 months to finish the full Shikoku pilgrimage route in one go. The distance from the first to the 88th location is around 1,400 kilometers. However, if you don’t have much time or enough strength, using public transportation or renting a bicycle are other good options.

Another experience special to the Shikoku pilgrimage is staying in the temple lodgings provided for pilgrims. Keep in mind that you keep a polite attitude and respect the etiquette here.

• Location: 126 Bando Tsukahana, Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture 779-0230, Japan
• Best time to visit: Spring and Autumn
• Difficulty: Medium
• Admission fee: 300 Yen (~2,2 USD) for each temple, stamped in the pilgrimage book. In addition, it will cost you around 335,000 Yen to 445,000 Yen (~2400 USD to 3200 USD) for the whole journey including accommodation, meals, etc.

5. Kamikochi

A British missionary gave Kamikochi the moniker “Alps of Japan” in the middle of the 19th century. It’s a hiking wonderland with towering 3,000-meter peaks around the ice blue of the Azusa River. It is open from April to November and closed for the winter.

Kamikochi, which is a part of the Chubu Sangaku National Park, is only mildly developed, with six hotels, just a few gift stores, mountain huts, and hiking routes. Only buses or taxis are permitted to approach Kamikochi; private vehicles are not allowed.

Hiking the trails along the Azusa River through Taisho Pond to Myojin Bridge is the best way to enjoy a day in Kamikochi. Because it just takes a few hours and is flat terrain, this trail is excellent for newbies. However, the hikes to the nearby peaks are more difficult and are only advised from mid-June to mid-September.

• Location: Matsumoto, Nagano 390-1516, Japan
• Best time to visit: Spring, Summer and Autumn (best in mid May to July)
• Difficulty: Easy to Medium
• Admission fee: Free entrance

6. Daisetsuzan National Park

Daisetsuzan is the largest national park in Hokkaido, outstanding with the unspoiled mountain and forest landscape, and also is the first spot in Japan to admire snowfall and autumnal colors each year. The park is one of the few sites where you can find week-long exciting hikes and enjoy the magnificent scenery.

There are also several shorter trails that you can experience. If you want to find a bit of a challenge in Daisetsuzan, plan a trip to Mount Asahidake to explore the difficult routes and view a broad plateau zone with a wide diversity of alpine flora. The trail offers breathtaking scenery and the opportunity to hike on snow-covered volcanic terrain.

Another excellent option is the Daisetsuzan Traverse trail, which passes through a number of mountains, including Mount Asahi – the highest peak in Hokkaido, and several dense forests. Although this trail is so crowded in hiking season, you may still find your own peaceful space.

• Location: Sounkyo, Kamikawa, Kamikawa District, Hokkaidō 078-1701, Japan
• Best time to visit: Autumn, Winter (best in July to September)
• Difficulty: Medium to Difficult
• Admission fee: No entry fee

7. Kiso Valley

In Nagano Prefecture, the Kiso Valley lies along the Central Japan Alps mountains. This place is famous for its Nakasendo trail which ran through the valley and served as one of the most significant routes linking Edo with Kyoto during the Edo Period. But today, we will introduce to you another shorter beautiful trail.

The Kiso Valley Magome and Tsumago villages are connected via the Magome Tsumago trail. This lovely trail running across the former Nakasendo route is a popular hiking destination for beginners. Before getting to Tsumago, the short, easy walk goes through fields, countryside, and forests.

Come to Kiso valley and enjoy the peaceful countryside atmosphere, see the vast fields stretching, houses with ancient architecture, and walk the most beautiful roads in Japan.

• Location: Tono, Okuwa, Kiso District, Nagano 399-5501, Nhật Bản
• Best time to visit: Year round
• Difficulty: Medium
• Admission fee: Free

8. Mount Yoshino

Japan’s most well-known cherry blossom location is Mount Yoshino, located in Yoshino Town, Nara Prefecture. While hiking the mountain, tourists may view the approximately 30,000 cherry trees that have been planted along the slopes.

The Kami Senbon region, which is regarded as the mountain’s peak, may be accessed by hiking the entire route in around 40 minutes. You’ll get a panoramic view of the mountains below after you reach Mount Yoshino’s 350-meter (1,150 feet) top.

The mountains have been covered in a variety of shades of pink in the cherry blossom season. In the autumn, the mountain appears fiery with the red and orange of the fall foliage.

You can also visit a historic little village center nearby. These are frequently built in a traditional Japanese form without windows. Because they are located directly on the edge of a mountain, they provide spectacular views of the landscape below with the gorgeous pink color of thousands of cherry trees.

• Location: Yoshinoyama, Yoshino District, Nara 639-3115, Japan
• Best time to visit: Year round (best in Spring, Autumn)
• Difficulty: Easy
• Admission fee: There is no fee to climb the mountain but it will cost you about 400 Yen (~2,8 USD) to 500 Yen (~3,6 USD) to enter temples and shrines.

You can also like:

• What is Tokyo Known For? Discover the 10 Best Things Tokyo Famous For
• 10 Best Ryokan In Japan: Best Places for International Visitors
• Best Japanese Sneaker Brands That You Must Try Once

9. Mount Takao

If you are finding an exciting place near Tokyo to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, make a hike in Mount Takao. One of the nearest natural areas to the city is Mount Takao, which is about one hour from central Tokyo.

You may explore 8 hiking trails there with different difficulties and lengths. The Omotesando trail which is paved and passes through the magnificent Yakuoin Buddhist Temple, is the easiest and least challenging hike. The Mount Takao Monkey Park and Wildflower Garden are other enjoyable stops along the route where you can see monkeys up close.

If you like to stroll in a forest, the Inariyama Trail is an excellent choice. The majority of this shaded dirt hiking trail offers some welcome relief from the summer heat.

• Location: Takao Machi, Hachioji City, Tokyo 193-0844, Japan
• Best time to visit: Spring and Autumn
• Difficulty: Easy to Medium
• Admission fee: Free to entry but you may pay a small fee for certain amenities.

10. Fushimi Inari Shrine

Located in the south of Kyoto City, Fushimi Inari Shrine is a significant Shinto shrine. The shrine has many vermilion torii gates that are organized in the shape of tunnels across the network of routes that run from the shrine’s main structures to the peak of the sacred mountain in the back.

The climb to the mountain’s peak and back takes roughly two to three hours, although hikers are free to go as far as they like before turning around. There are a number of little shrines with rows of tiny torii gates scattered throughout the route. Along the trail, there are a few eateries that serve food with local concepts. Examples include Inari Sushi and Kitsune Udon.

After a 30 to 45 minute hike and a steady reduction in the density of torii gates, Approximately halfway up the mountain, at the Yotsutsuji intersection, travelers can see some wonderful views of Kyoto.

• Location: 68, Fukakusayabunouchicho, Fushimi, Kyoto 612-0882, Japan
• Best time to visit: Year round
• Difficulty: Easy
• Admission fee: Free

11. Nikko

The Toshogu temple, Japan’s most magnificent shrine, and Tokugawa Ieyasu’s tomb are the two most well-known attractions in the town of Nikko, which is located at the entrance of Nikko National Park.

Before Toshogu was constructed in the 1600s, Nikko had long served as a major site for Shinto and Buddhist mountain worship. Nikko National Park continues to provide picturesque mountainous scenery, hot springs, lakes, hiking trails, waterfalls, and wild monkeys.Ư

On a bus trip from Nikko, you can access the Senjogahara Plateau trail which starts in the village of Ryuzu-no-taki and goes through Lake Chuzenji along the Yukawa River. The road is scenic and provides wonderful views of the nearby mountains, marshes, and Nikko National Park.

• Location: Yumoto, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1662, Japan
• Best time to visit: Autumn, Spring, Summer
• Difficulty: Medium
• Admission fee: Free entrance for Nikko National Park. The rest will cost you a small fee to visit.

12. Shiretoko

As a peninsula located in eastern Hokkaido, Shiretoko is famous for its Shiretoko National Park which is one of the most gorgeous and unspoiled national parks in Japan.

There are many different types of animals living on the peninsula, such as brown bears, deer and foxes. The Sea of Okhotsk coast of the peninsula transforms into one of the southernmost places in the northern hemisphere to experience drift ice throughout the winter.

With hiking trails and an elevated boardwalk that offers a 1.6-kilometer loop that takes around 40 minutes to finish, the Shiretoko Goko Lakes are extremely popular. Shiretoko Pass, which provides a view of Kunashiri Island, and Furepe Falls, commonly known as “The Maiden’s Tears” are two other excellent spots for a hike.

• Location: Onnebetsumura, Shari District, Hokkaido 099-4356, Japan
• Best time to visit: Year round (best in Autumn)
• Difficulty: Medium to Difficult
• Admission fee: Free entry to Shiretoko National Park but you have to pay a small fee for other attractions.

FAQs

1. Does Japan have good hiking?

Great mountains, properly maintained trails, and an extensive system of mountain huts make Japan an excellent hiking destination. Everything from day walks to extended journeys is available.

2. What is Japan’s most legendary trail?

In Japan during the feudal era, the Nakasendo Trail ran from Kyoto to Tokyo. It was the “road through the mountains” used by feudal lords and their entourages, samurai, traders, and travelers. Nowadays, the road is still well maintained and has become an iconic trail in Japan visited by many tourists.

3. What is the best season for hiking in Japan?

Mid-April to early June, once the spring blossoms at its loveliest, and October, when the autumn foliage peaks, are the favored hiking seasons. If you are planning a hike in summer, keep in mind that the area is at risk from typhoon activity and severe rainfall from June to September because of weather fronts.

4. What is the hardest mountain to hike in Japan?

Mount Tsurugi is situated in the eastern part of Japan’s Toyama Prefecture. With a height of 2,999 meters (9,839 feet), it is one of the Hida Mountains’ highest peaks. It is regarded as “the most dangerous peak” climbable and ranks as one of the 100 Greatest Japanese Mountains.

5. What is the most beautiful pilgrimage in Japan?

One of the few round pilgrimages in the world, the Shikoku pilgrimage trail (also known as Shikoku Henro) is recognized as the most scenic pilgrimage to hike in Japan. It has 88 official temples as well as countless more holy locations where it is said that Buddhist priest Kūkai had stayed during the 9th century.

6. What time of year is ideal for hiking Mount Fuji?

The greatest time to see Mount Fuji is in the winter. If experiencing Mount Fuji is one of your top priorities while in Japan, plan your trip around December or January for the best panorama views  of the mountain and its peak.

Conclusion

Exploring the natural beauty, culture, and life of the Japanese people through hiking is undoubtedly a wonderful experience. With our list of 12 best hikes in Japan above, read the information carefully and choose a favorite destination to start your journey to discover Japan on foot.