Japan hiking guide for beginners

Japan has a wealth of natural beauty just begging to be explored, and what better way to see it up close than on foot. While hiking in Japan, you’ll travel through fairy-tale glades, dense forests and ancient villages. It’s only while on foot that you’ll get to see Japan in detail, pausing to absorb the lovely views or the microcosms of local life along the way. Many of Japan’s most celebrated hiking trails started out as trade routes or pilgrimages, so they are infused with centuries of history and packed with interesting things to see – shrines, timeworn villages, waterfalls, farms, tea houses.

Top Japan hiking destinations

Japan is blessed with some fantastic scenery, and our local experts know the best stretches of the finest trails to get you right in amongst those stunning landscapes. Here’s a sample of some of Japan’s most memorable hikes to inspire you.

The Nakasendo Trail

The centerpiece of Japan’s heritage hiking network is the ancient and beautiful Nakasendo Trail, the original trade route joining Tokyo and Kyoto, which were the two most important cities during the era of the Shoguns. Staging posts were built to serve the samurai, aristocracy and merchants who traveled this region, and today these have expanded into the characterful towns and villages which punctuate the route today.

One of the most scenic stretches of the Nakasendo Trail is the central section which traverses the Kiso Valley, weaving through charming old villages of clustered timber buildings overlooking quaint cobbled lanes. Between the villages, the trail leads you through woodland glades and verdant meadows, with lovely views opening up at various points along the way.

One of the great things about the Nakasendo Trail is that there are numerous joining and departing points, so our experts can work with you to create a hike that suits you and fits with the rest of your itinerary. Highlights include the well-preserved villages of Magome, Tsumago and Narai, authentic and charming ryokan accommodation, and plenty of onsen hot springs for a soak at the end of a day’s hiking.

The Kumano Kodo Trail

Deep in the forests of the Kii Peninsula, a clutch of important shrines are hidden among the folds of the hills. These grand shrines of Kumano have long been the objective of pilgrimages – in fact, there is evidence that the earliest of the various pilgrimage routes in the area date back more than 1,000 years. Monks would arrive from far afield in search of enlightenment through the beauty and wonder of nature, and in time shrines were erected along the route crowned by the Mount Koya temple.

Major attractions along this route include the wonderful landscape, the engineering of the route itself which has endured for centuries, and the mystical small shrines which peek from the foliage, giving the whole trail the air of a fairy-tale.

Traversing the wooded slopes of the Kii Peninsula isn’t a simple amble; there are undulations to tackle and some sections have steps to negotiate, but the enchanting surroundings include waterfalls, meadows, occasional ocean views, and many local pilgrims – all of which can spur you on to your destination.

Hakone National Park

This treasured pocket of natural splendor is within easy reach of Tokyo, so a visit is simple to include in many itineraries. The primary appeal of the national park is its beauty – at its heart lies the tranquil Lake Ashi, surrounded by dense woodlands that are a spectacular sight when the leaves change color in the fall.

Many visitors also make the trip to Hakone because of the views. Picture the iconic snow-capped cone of Mount Fuji reflected in the cool blue lake, or framed by fall foliage or even cherry blossom: these are the defining images of Japan which grace a thousand brochures, and you can see them for real when you visit Hakone.

Hiking in Hakone is a joy, not least because of the well-organized infrastructure: buses, trains, boats and ropeways are all included in the Hakone Pass, so getting to and from trailheads is a breeze. One of the most popular hikes in the Hakone National Park is the Mount Kintoki trail. To tackle the 1,212m (3,976ft) peak of Mount Kintoki you’ll have a few different routes to choose from, mostly fairly steep but with plenty of interest along the way – and well worth it when you reach the top, from where the views are incredible. Mornings during fall and winter are most likely to be clear enough to see Mount Fuji and the sparkling Lake Ashi in the distance.

Daisetsuzan National Park

Hikers looking for a memorable adventure can head to Daisetsuzan National Park, the largest national park in Hokkaido. Set on Japan’s northernmost island, this expansive park is a hotspot for hikers who want to immerse themselves in Japan’s unspoiled wilderness. Home to picture-perfect mountains, alpine landscapes, and abundant wildlife, this outdoor destination feels far removed from Japan’s big, bustling cities.

One of the park’s most popular hikes is the Mount Asahidake Loop trail. Many travelers start by taking the scenic Daisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway to the Sugatami Station and start their hiking adventure from there. Along the way, you’ll encounter postcard-worthy views of volcanic terrain and alpine ponds, all leading to the summit of Mount Asahidake, Hokkaido’s highest peak. At 2,291m (7,516ft), you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

It’s worth noting that Asahidake is an active volcano, though its last eruption was in 1739. This adds to the hike’s adventurous setting, with the mountain’s low, rumbling growls serving as a constant reminder of the region’s wild landscapes. In some sections, you can also expect to climb next to the fumaroles from the volcano.

The best time to hike the Mount Asahidake Loop trail in Hokkaido’s Daisetsuzan National Park is from June to September. Summer is typically short, from July to August, while fall’s colorful foliage peaks around mid-September, with snow often arriving in October. After a long day of hiking, you can soothe your weary muscles with a relaxing soak in one of the nearby onsens.

Make it happen

Imagine weaving your way through evocative landscapes and seeing some of the world’s most iconic views firsthand on the ultimate Japan hiking trip. Our local experts can create the perfect itinerary for you based on your priorities and pace. They can arrange long distance, multi-day hikes or incorporate some scenic day walks into a sightseeing itinerary as you wish. Local knowledge makes a world of difference, so get in touch with our partners in Japan to find out more.