Hiking in Japan offers a chance for many visitors to Japan, their first glimpse is the sprawling urban landscape of Tokyo. It can be hard to imagine what lies beyond the seemingly endless miles of concrete, electricity lines, konbinis and train tracks. Japan’s capital is inconceivably vast but the true amazement comes with the eventual realisation that it’s but a grain of rice in the bowl that is the country’s immense natural landscape.
If you want to get to know the landscape of this naturally stunning nation, pulling on a good pair of walking boots and getting out there on foot is one of the best ways to do it. If you are of the adventurous penchant and want to move beyond the tried and true hiking trails of Mount Fuji (富士山), Jetpac eSim will make sure you have reliable data for all of your researching, communication and location needs, no matter how far off the beaten track you wander. So, as inspiration, here are 10 alternative hikes to inspire you to explore Japan more widely.
1. Yakushima – Kagoshima Prefecture
Situated two hours by boat off the coast of Japan’s southernmost main island of Kyushu, just getting to Yakushima, the country’s first UNESCO-protected island, is an adventure into the backroads of Japan. Dense primaeval forests, gushing waterfalls and granite cliffs are the hallmarks of the place that inspired Hayao Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke. Despite its popularity among the Japanese, this fantastical isle is lesser-known to international tourists. As it can pose a bit more of a challenge for non-Japanese speaking travellers.
To make the most of your visit, local guides such as Yakushima Experience can be a huge help. Yakushima Land is one of the most accessible spots for hiking in Japan. This 270-hectare nature park sits high in the mountains and is home to cedar, conifer, and ash trees. With some luck, you might spot a yakuzaru monkey or a yakushika deer, both native to the island. Another great hike is the Arakawa trail to Jomon Sugi, a giant cedar believed to be Japan’s oldest tree. Scientists estimate it to be between 2,000 and 7,200 years old.
2. Wazuka – Kyoto Prefecture
One hour south, and a whole world away from the city of Kyoto, lies Wazuka. Here, undulating terraced slopes are lined with rows of verdant tea bushes growing Kyoto’s coveted Uji tea leaves. The region has cultivated tea for over 800 years, earning it a Japan Heritage Site designation for its historical and cultural significance.
Not only is the area ideal for tea growth, but for simply taking in the scenery. Farmers harvest Wazuka’s first flush in late April on the western Ishitera tea fields. It is a landscape so beautiful that it became the first to earn a spot on Kyoto Prefecture’s scenic property list. Meander along the Kizugawa River, climb the hills to take in views of the fields, and hike to Hyakujo-iwa, a massive granite rock nestled in a stunning ravine, recognized as one of Kyoto’s 200 selected natural scenes.
3. Mt. Mitoku – Tottori Prefecture
High on Mt Mitoku, above the clouds, through a lush forest, up some chains and ladders, under a maze of temple struts, over rock formations worn by pilgrims past, you will find Nageire-do. For those passionate about hiking in Japan, this 8th-century temple hall of the Sanbutsu-ji complex is possibly the most bewildering building in the country, perched on stilts up a sheer cliff face. It’s also a more than good enough reason to hike up Mt Mitoku to visit.
The legend goes that En no Gyoja threw three lotus petals into the wind and instructed them to go to places sacred to the gods, pledging to build temples wherever they may land; one landed on Mt. Mitoku. Nageire-do’s survival would be remarkable enough somewhere stable, but to have remained standing so long on islands regularly beset by earthquakes and typhoons is incredible. Without a doubt, the mountain gods truly care for it.
4. Kumano Kodō Pilgrimage Trail – Mie, Nara and Wakayama Prefectures
The Kumano Kodo, one of only two UNESCO-registered pilgrimage trails worldwide, follows an ancient trail trod by pilgrims for over 1,000 years through deep forested valleys in remote countryside on the Kii peninsula. Hiking in Japan offers a unique blend of spirituality and adventure, and the Kumano Kodo is a prime example of this. People from all levels of society have followed seven different pilgrimage routes to the revered Kumano Sanzan. The various paths, known collectively as the Kumano Kodo, offer those with an adventurous heart picturesque forests, sweeping mountain views, majestic waterfalls, cobbled ways, and a sense of community.
There are many tour operators that provide guided and self-guided options along the different pilgrimage routes such as Walk Japan. Highlights of the hiking trail are the Kumano Hongu Taisha Grand Shrine, the Oyunohara Gate and the Seiganto-ji Temple.
5. The Koyasan Choishi Michi Trail – Wakayama Prefecture
Koyasan is a monastic complex located on a series of mountains carpeted in cedar forest. A network of ancient pilgrimage trails, exemplifying the best of hiking in Japan, runs through the woodlands and up the mountains, connecting the sacred shrines. One of the most popular hiking trails is the Choishi Michi Trail, named after the stone signposts (choishi) which mark the path so that pilgrims can find their way.
From Jison-in Temple the trail heads uphill along a path lined with majestic cedar trees to the tranquil Kodago Pond and past three sacred stones said to have been placed by Kobo-Daishi, the founder of Koyasan. The hike ends at the Daimon Gate, the 25m-high gateway to Koyasan, which has panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
6. Michinoku Shiokaze Coastal Trail – Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima Prefectures
In ancient times, Japan’s north-eastern Tohoku region was known as ‘Michinoku’ – meaning ‘the end of the road.’ Tohoku, one of Japan’s more remote and less developed regions, is an ideal destination for those seeking authentic experiences of hiking in Japan. It offers untamed nature and rugged landscapes, far removed from the bright lights and tourism hubs of Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. The Michinoku Shiokaze Coastal Trail, one of Japan’s longest and newest hiking routes, stretches over 1,000 kilometers through the prefectures of Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima.
The trail was officially completed in 2019 as part of the Tohoku region’s ongoing efforts to rebuild and reestablish the area following the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami. The Fudai to Tanohata section of the hike, although challenging, is one of the most memorable. From Hand-dug tunnels to the famous cliffs of kitayamazaki, this is a section not to be missed.
7. Kunisaki Peninsula – Ōita Prefecture
The Kunisaki Peninsula is nestled on Kyushu, the most westerly island of the Japanese archipelago. But the peninsula may as well have fallen off the map, for few Japanese and even fewer foreigners know of its existence. It was, though, for many centuries an important centre of Shugendo – a merging of the Shinto religion and Buddhism.
Kunisaki’s once-powerful religious institutions are long gone, but delightful temples and wayside shrines are some reminders of its deeply religious past. Explore your spirituality on the way to Mount Futago, Kunisaki’s highest peak, at Futago-ji Temple. You can also hike the 137 km Kunisaki Peninsula Minemichi Long Trail. This trail follows a traditional Rokugo Manzan pilgrimage once used for ascetic monk training.
8. Daisetsuzan National Park – Hokkaidō Prefecture
If all you want is mountains, then Daisetsuzan National Park is for you. Daisetsuzan means “great snowy mountains,” and the name fits, as Japan’s largest national park boasts 16 peaks over 2,000 meters. This rugged, beautiful area is known as Kamui-mintara, or “Playground of the gods,” by the Ainu. Snow blankets the summits, even in the height of summer.
Daisetsuzan is not only a highlight of Hokkaido but also a must-visit spot for anyone passionate about hiking in Japan. The main area around the ropeway features vibrant wildflowers, gorgeous alpine lakes, large dramatic peaks, and volcanic terrain complete with steaming gas vents. Mt Asahidake, Mt Biei, and Mt Tokachi are the standout summit hikes in the park that are sure to get your heart pumping.
9. Mt. Tanigawa – Gunma Prefecture
Mt. Tanigawa is possibly the easiest-access high mountain for hiking in Japan, thanks to the Daoi train station that runs all the way to Tokyo Station. Daoi station is also a sort-of mini attraction, being the deepest underground train station in Japan. There is no escalator installed here, so the hiking truly begins when you get off the train. Mt. Tanigawa towers as the highest peak of an incredibly beautiful mountain range, with a large ropeway lifting visitors up to 1,300 meters, enabling convenient day trips.
The ropeway doesn’t take away from the excitement though, as the trail that reaches the peak contains a variety of steep terrain features, with chains and ladders to assist with the ascent. It’s stunningly beautiful, with boardwalks, massive boulders, and bamboo grass that resembles waves on a vibrant green ocean. Skipping the ropeway offers an enjoyable hike through the forest to a nearby ridgeline, featuring via ferrata, scenic views, and diverse terrain.
10. The Seven Waterfalls of Kawazu – Shizuoka Prefecture
For many people, hiking in Japan is all about enchanting forests, flowing rivers, ancient folklore and beautiful waterfalls. If that’s what you’re after then this seven waterfall hike is likely one of the best in Japan for you. Located in the Amagi Highlands, this hiking trail follows an age-old track winding through beech forest and farmland until you arrive at the waterfalls.
The seven falls range in height from 30m to just two. There are wild swimming spots and hot springs en route, and in terms of culture. You’ll find statues depicting the heroine of the short story “The Izu Dancer” by Nobel-prize winning author Kawabata Yasunari which immortalised the area along the way. This is a relatively easy hike, but one which really captures the beauty and culture of Japan.
Join Our Newsletter
Sign up for the latest news & offers
