HIKING AND WALKING
HIKING AND WALKING
Perhaps it’s not widely known, but hiking and walking in Japan is both abundant and spectacular thanks to the terrain. The towering peaks and undulating hills have long been traversed on pilgrimages such as the Kumano Kodo, Mount Fuji climb and the ancient Nakasendo trail. However, this national pastime is still very much prevalent today. Day-trips and short hikes are possible from major cities like Tokyo and Kyoto. There are also a number of multi-day hikes all across the countryside. For those looking for something a little lower impact, the cities themselves have plenty of parks and gardens to explore. Read on for some of our favourite places for walking and hiking in Japan.
POPULAR POSTS
Our Guide To Getting Around Naoshima Art Island
Japan's Art Island has a few pockets of attractions, so chances are you're...
Onomichi Cat Alley is a Cat Lover’s Paradise: Prepare to Lose your Mind
If Studio Ghibli were inspired by a real town, Onomichi would be it....
Nojiri Loop Course: 15km Loop Around A Glacial Lake
The summer haven of Lake Nojiri resides in...
Hakuba’s Happo One Hike: Autumn Edition
Looking to stretch our legs on a recent...
Shiratani Unsuikyo and Kokemusu Mori: Yakushima’s Magical Moss Valley
Lose yourself in Shiratani Ravine and Kokemusu Moss Forest on Yakushima, the island that inspired Studio Ghibli's Princess Mononoke.
Ambling Asakusa Tour: A Tour of Old Tokyo Part 3
After a leisurely boat ride along the Sumida River, you will arrive in...
Half-day Kyoto Walking Tour Part 1: Gion to Kodaiji Temple
Looking for a short walking route in Kyoto that will give you real...
Dive into This Sea-side Artists’ Haven: The Onomichi Temple Walk and Literature Path
You know how some places just feel magical? Onomichi is exactly one of...
Kasuga Taisha Shrine: The 3,000 Lantern Shrine in Nara Deer Park
At first glance, Kasuga Taisha Shrine looks like the gateway to an ancient,...
Don’t Miss Tokyo’s Dreamiest Cherry Blossom Spot: Meguro River
Tiny and sweet, cherry blossoms are a sure-fire symbol of spring, and in...
Mount Omuro: Volcanic Archery and the Fiery Yamayaki Festival
My fiancé and I were riding high. We’d just finished playing with baby...
Teahouse Remains and Sweeping Views: Day 4 of the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Route
Although the pilgrimage was technically complete at Hongu, we wanted the sense of...
Why Yanaka ‘Cat Town’ Is THE Place For Cat Lovers in Tokyo
If you’re coming to Tokyo and worry you’ll...
Frittering About in Fukuoka: Tokyo to Okinawa Day 10
Sometimes, the best days of a vacation are the ones where things fail...
Visiting Nachisan and Kumano Nachi Taisha
While there are many religions in Japan, the...
Meet Daisetsuzan Mountain Range’s Panorama of Autumn Colors
Hiking in Hokkaido during autumn? Prepare for a spectacular display of colours at...
Tokyo Day Trip: Koedo, Kawagoe’s Breath of Edo
We hear music in the distance. Drums beat and flutes whistle a traditional...
A Leisurely Yokohama Seashore Tour
After Japan opened to foreign trade in the middle of the 19th century,...
Getting Lucky in Nagano: Visiting The Seven Gods of Good Fortune
In Japanese mythology, there are Seven Gods of Luck (Shichi-fuku-jin) who are believed...
Enryaku-ji Temple: Mt Hiei’s Hidden Wonder
Enryaku-ji is a mountain temple hidden plain sight! Deep in the cedar forests of Mount Hiei, it's a place to enjoy nature and tranquility.
The Edo-era remains of Tsumago juku
Nagano is famous for its world-class ski fields but this prefecture's history runs...
Hiking the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage
The Kii Mountains of Wakayama prefecture, blanketed in dense, silent forests, tell a...
Art Deco in Tokyo’s Ex-Imperial Forest: The Teien Art Museum and Institute for Nature Study
Fan of Art Deco? Nature lover? Want to tread in the footsteps of...
Forest Bathing With Elephants At Lake Nojiri’s ‘Zo No Komichi’
One of the best nature escapes on Japan’s...