Japan is a country where I walk so much—20,000 steps per day, and often more than that—that hiking often feels like an afterthought. This is especially the case if I happen to traveling somewhere afflicted by the country’s very-in-the-news bear problem.
There’s also a me-problem, of course. Well, not a problem, but a reality: I hike in order to go places and see things, rather than for the sake of hiking itself.
I bring this up because although I approach my guide to hiking in Japan as fit, capable person, I’m ultimately someone for whom hiking it a pillar (but almost never the focus) of my favorite trips to Japan. Do what that confession what you will!
The Best Time to Hike in Japan
As is the case with most travel in the country, Japan hiking can be a 365-day-per-year pursuit, though there are some important exceptions. First, if you’re anywhere in the mountains or north of about Sendai, winter (so, mid-December to about mid-March) is probably off-limits. Obviously, there are some places where you can snowshoe or cross-country ski, but snow tends to be so heavy that normal hiking isn’t usually a good idea.
Secondly, although I love hiking in Japan in November, autumn hikes can bring with them a slightly greater risk of bear sightings, especially in northern Tohoku and on Hokkaido island. By contrast, hiking is often a great escape from Japan’s sweltering summer, particularly the further north and the higher in elevation you go. Spring can also be a wonderful time to hike Japan, due to sakura and also various other sorts of flowers.
The Best Hikes in Japan
Nakasendo Way
In terms of sheer name recognition, the Nakasendo Way is certainly among the best hikes Japan has to offer. Within this being said, there are really two types of hiking here. Most tourists prefer the flatter western route, which connects the former postal towns of Magome and Tsumago. A more strenuous option is further east: The Torii Pass trek, which links Yabuhara and Narai.
Kumano Kodo
Indeed, if your general preference for hiking Japan is more exhilaration and less relaxing, the Kumano Kodo might be a better bet for you than the Nakasendo. Located in Wakayama prefecture southeast of Osaka and southwest of Nagoya, this is a multi-day pilgrimage that involves steep ascends and hours-long treks. On the other hand, while it’s deep in nature, there’s plenty of amazing architecture and history on offer as well.
Senjojiki Cirque
It probably won’t surprise you that many of my favorite places to hike Japan are in the Japanese Alps. However, there are a lot of different options here. The popular Kamikochi Valley, for example, features mostly flat trails, which are perfect for older people and families with kids. A more strenuous option, on the other hand, is the Senjojiki Cirque, located in the Chuo Alps.
Mt. Aso
If you’re staying in Kumamoto city and can either rent a car (or don’t mind working out rural Japanese bus schedules), it’s arguably that the various trails atop Mt. Aso are among the best day hikes in Japan. Of course, I prefer spending a night or two here, even if the main Naka-dake crater is closed. Hikes like the Eboshi-dake and Kusasenri are worth taking your time to enjoy.
Rebun Island
Rebun is one of two islands (the other being Rishiri) off the northern tip of Hokkaido near the city of Wakkanai, and is by the far the most “off the beaten path” of the hikes I spotlight in this article. In particular, the Momo Nekodai trail offers great hiking and amazing views, specifically of Mt. Rishiri rising over the sea. Another benefit? There are no bears on this island, which means you don’t need to be vigilant, no matter which part of the year you plan to hike.
Mt. Daisen
It feels a bit strange to list Tottori prefecture’s Mt. Daisen among the best hikes in Japan, considering that many travelers never visit the San’in region at all. But it has so many amazing qualities, from a perfect length (around three hours out and back), an amazing view (of Yonago city and the port of Sakaiminato) and of course, very few if any tourists. Local people even say that it looks like Mt. Fuji from certain angles. That’s never a bad thing!
Yamadera
Yamadera is a pretty easy hike, in spite of how high up Risshaku-ji (the “mountain temple” in question) looks from the ground. The entire thing is actually made up of stairs, which makes it much easier, unless it’s raining or snowing. Timing-wise, you can easily do it in a half-day from Sendai or Yamagata, which includes a simple soba lunch after you finish.
What About Climbing Mt. Fuji?
I often tell people that climbing Mt. Fuji is more like a hike, and I stand by that. For one, you start over halfway up the mountain, and with some exceptions, the trail is pretty flat and easy. Weather can be unpredictable (and can change the relative difficulty of the hike), but you are basically never ascending vertically and using ropes and chains to assist you.
With this being said, it’s important to understand that you can only summit Mt. Fuji between about July 1 and September 1. Some of the other best hiking in Japan is located in the Fuji Five Lakes region near the base of the mountain; many of these trails are accessible year-round. But if you try to summit Fuji in, say, April or October, you could be risking physical harm, not to mention a substantial legal penalty if you happen to get caught.
Other FAQ About the Best Hikes in Japan
Does Japan have good hiking?
Japan has excellent hiking, which makes sense since it’s one of the most mountainous countries in the world. Moreover, it has a wide variety of hikes, from multi-day pilgrimage trails deep in the woods, to easy day hikes that are accessible from cities like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.
What is the famous walking trail in Japan?
Japan has many famous walking trails, but these days the most famous one is the Nakasendo Way, which runs through the Japanese Alps between the cities of Nagoya and Nagano. This formal postal route includes easy walks (such as the one between the villages of Magome and Tsumago), as well as the more strenuous Torii Pass trek.
How difficult is it to hike in the Japanese Alps?
There are dozens of hikes in the Japanese Alps, and as a result, the difficult of a given one depends on which you choose. Trails in the Kamikochi Valley are perfectly flat, which is also true for much of the Nakasendo Way. By contrast, trails like the Senjojiku Cirque in so-called Chuo Alps involve dramatic gains in elevation, and require an intermediate or even advanced hiking ability.
The Bottom Line
I hope I’ve informed—and inspired—your perspective on hiking in Japan. For me, hiking is an important part of exploring Japan, keeping in mind that I also like my time in cities, on beaches and in virtually all of the country’s other countless contexts. On the other hand, hikes are like seasoning or punctuation for me—I use them to enhance the rest of my trip (whether I spend a week in Japan or a month in Japan), and as a result tend to focus on a curated list of the best hikes in Japan, rather than a sprawling or comprehensive one. Need personalized help incorporation a hike (or a few) into your next Japan trip? Commission a custom Japan itinerary today!
