The 12 Best Hikes In Japan
Introduction
When people think about visiting Japan they usually think about all the well-known attractions - the neon lights of Tokyo, the charming history of Kyoto, or the beautiful cherry blossoms and ancient temples. But perhaps the best kept secret in Japan, for foreign tourism, is the incredible hiking found all over the country’s mountainous landscape.
What's so good about hiking in Japan?
Via Ferrata, Volcanoes, & Tropical Landscapes
After spending two years hiking around Canada and the US, I wasn’t sure anything could compete with the dramatic features, massive scale, and abundant wildlife found in the Rocky Mountains. But what Japan lacks in wildlife and high elevation, it makes up for in trail design, vibrant sub-tropical landscapes, and active volcanoes. The hiking trails readily embrace ‘via ferrata’ and rock climbing - often including long ladders, precariously placed footholds, and a variety of ropes and chains. The tropical rainfall turns the forest into a vibrant jungle with many different shades of green, giving a unique contrast to the rocky peaks that make you feel like you’re in a movie. And then, the volcanoes. Japan is filled with active and dormant volcanoes which offer some of the most amazing and surreal views you'll ever see, complete with smouldering calderas, picturesque crater lakes, and prominent conical peaks.
Mountain Huts
But there’s more! A multi-day hike in North America usually requires a lot of food, heavy supplies, and logistical planning. But hiking in Japan is supported by a vast network of mountain huts, offering food, fresh water, and beds. Of course, this does lead to busier trails, but the extra energy you have and the time you save is an enjoyable trade-off, and it means you can spend more time hiking and less time on planning and preperation.
Okay okay, so you’re kinda convinced now, you wanna try hiking in Japan but don’t know where to start and only have a short time for your trip to Japan. Or maybe you’re only on a study exchange for 1-2 years and wanna make sure your time off is well spent. Don’t worry, I gotchu! Actually that’s one of the points of this website, I’m not going to publish all hikes, I’m only going to publish hikes that are worth the time and effort.
Via ferrata on the Mt. Tsurugi trail
The Selection Criteria
To determine this list, I've selected the hikes with two main goals:
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To include hikes that appeal to a wide range of people (skills, preferences, etc.), which means some have been chosen specifically because they can be accessed by novice hikers.
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To try and give an objective metric for the selection.
Although objective metrics do have a subjective element to them, they'll still be a valuable tool for choosing the hikes. I’m going to rate these metrics out of 10, these will include:
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The terrain fun factor (ladders and via ferrata)
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How interesting the environment is (the forest, lakes, waterfalls, etc.)
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The overall variety (the spice of life - diversity in the forest, the views, natural features, etc.)
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The views (wow factor, variety, uniqueness)
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Difficulty (scored separately)
A note on the difficulty rating:
Difficulty is based on 3 factors: physical effort, technical terrain, and length. When it comes to novice hikers, the only thing that truly holds you back is technical terrain - the rest is simply a matter of time, the time it takes to complete the hike... Just because you're new to hiking doesn't mean you can't complete difficult hikes, it just means you'll take longer to complete them, so don't be discouraged.
So, without further a-due, here is the list of Japan’s best hikes! With clear reasons for their selection! One caveat to seasoned hikers in Japan, this list is subject to many factors, most notably the conditions I encountered when I was there - so if your favourite hike isn’t here then just leave your recommendations in the comment sections below.
The 12 Best Hikes In Japan
The Northern Alps
↠ 2. Mt. Hotaka & The Daikiretto
Kyushu
The Southern Alps
The Central Alps
↠ 10. Mt. Utsugi to Mt. Kisokoma
Hokkaido
Shikoku
1. Yarigatake
Yarigatake in Kamikochi is one of the most recognisable peaks in Japan, with its sharp spear-like shape resembling the Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps. The final climb to reach the peak involves some long, hair-raising ladders with heaps of exposure, demanding a lot of patience and meditation for those of us with a fear of heights. There are multiple trails leading to the peak, the shortest and the most popular is a return trip from Kamikochi with an overnight stay at one of the mountain huts near the peak. Yarigatake is the 5th highest mountain in Japan, and shares its ridgeline with another peak on this list, Mt. Hotaka. Although there will always be some debate with a top 10 list, nearly everyone will agree that Yarigatake is one of the best hikes in Japan.
You can read a comprehensive guide to hiking Yarigatake here.
Kamikochi Yarigatake Overnight Trail
Terrain: 8/10
Environment: 9/10
Variety: 8/10
Views: 8/10
Difficulty: 8/10
2. Mt. Hotaka & The Daikiretto
Mt. Hotaka and Yarigatake are connected by the most famous ridgeline in Japan which includes an infamous section known as the Daikiretto. This 3-4 day hike is often claimed as being the best hike in Japan, quite the statement considering the thousands of mountains found all over the country. But it’s easy to see why, there is nothing quite like it. However, the daikiretto requires some skill, balance, and mental composure - it’s a few hours of rock climbing along a sharp ridgeline with significant consequences if you fall. It’s recommended to be aware of this before planning your hike, there’s no room for bad weather or inadequate preparation, and hiking insurance is a must in case you have an accident and need a heli rescue. People have died on this trail, but don’t worry too much, you don’t actually need proper rock climbing experience, you just need some confidence in climbing, be comfortable with risky and exposed heights, and know what to expect.
You can read a comprehensive guide to hiking the daikiretto here.
The Daikiretto - The Kamikochi, Yarigatake, & Mt. Hotaka Loop Trail
Terrain: 9/10
Environment: 9/10
Variety: 8/10
Views: 9/10
Difficulty: 10/10
3. The Panorama Ginza Trail
The Panorama Ginza trail connects Kamikochi with Mt. Tsubukaro and offers perhaps the most stunning views of the Hotaka mountain range. The terrain is much easier than the Hotaka peaks, so it's accessible for all skill levels, but still requires 3-4 days of hiking. If you want the absolute best views of the Northern Alps but don't want to deal with technical terrain or rock climbing, then the Panorama Ginza trail is unbeatable. Given its modest terrain, huge amount of variety, and absolutely stunning views, it's for sure one of the best multi-day hikes in Japan.
You can read a comprehensive guide to hiking the Panorama Ginza trail here.
The Panorama Ginza Trail
Terrain: 7/10
Environment: 9/10
Variety: 8/10
Views: 10/10
Difficulty: 7/10
4. Mt. Tsurugi
Mt. Tsurugi is a beautiful mountain famous for its chains, ladders, and iron footholds that enable hikers to climb up the steep rocky terrain. It's located next to another famous mountain called Tateyama and also includes the nicest mountain hut I've ever stayed in, complete with a hot shower! It's a two-day hike including Tateyama and is best avoided on weekends and public holidays - the narrow climbing sections can quickly lead to long queues on busy days.
For more info on hiking Tsurugi, you can check out our complete guide here.
The Tateyama & Mt. Tsurugi Trail
Terrain: 9/10
Environment: 8/10
Variety: 8/10
Views: 8/10
Difficulty: 8/10
5. Yakushima
Yakushima is an island just south of Kyushu and is famous for its ancient rainforest, studio Ghibli environment, and old logging railway. This old railway meanders through the mountains up along a river and creates one of the most beautiful and unique hiking trails I’ve ever seen - it’s truly remarkable. The highest mountain on the island, Mt. Miyanoura, is an enjoyable overnight hike. Yakushima does however rain nearly every day, so this can affect the difficulty quite a lot. Access and logistics also require a bit more work than most areas of Japan.
You can read a comprehensive guide to hiking in Yakushima here.
Mt. Miyanoura Overnight Trail
Terrain: 8/10
Environment: 10/10
Variety: 8/10
Views: 9/10
Difficulty: 7/10
6. Mt. Karakuni, Kirishima
Mt. Karakuni is the highest peak among the active volcanoes in the Kirishima National Park, which is next to Kagoshima city in Kyushu. Under good conditions the views are absolutely stunning, with brilliant volcanic lakes, smouldering volcanic peaks, and even the Sakurajima volcano billowing out smoke from across the ocean. The terrain is pretty easy so it’s suitable for beginners, and it doesn’t require a big time commitment. A rental car is recommended because public transport options are not very convenient around Kyushu.
You can read a comprehensive guide to hiking in Kirishima here.
Mt. Karakuni Trail
Terrain: 7/10
Environment: 10/10
Variety: 8/10
Views: 10/10
Difficulty: 5/10
7. Mt. Aso
Another gem of Kyushu, Mt. Aso is the largest active volcano in Japan and one of the largest in the world. It’s a stunning collection of vibrant green peaks inside a massive ancient caldera which takes hours just to drive around. Although there’s no overnight hike, you can spend two days to explore the 3 main hikes which make up the best of the Mt. Aso area. Access to the main peak is completely dependent on the levels of toxic gas and volcanic activity - it’s frequently closed off and constantly monitored. These closures often only last an hour or two, but sometimes they can last for days. Eruptions do occur occasionally, but the close monitoring helps provide some peace of mind, and the view from the main peak is incredible.
You can read a comprehensive guide to hiking in Mt. Aso here.
The Mt. Aso Trails
Terrain: 7/10
Environment: 10/10
Variety: 8/10
Views: 10/10
Difficulty: 5/10
8. Kitadake
Kitadake is the 2nd highest mountain in Japan and is often claimed as having the best views of Mt. Fuji. It’s an overnight hike but the terrain doesn’t require any rock climbing, plus a mountain hut near the peak makes it possible for novice hikers and those without a tent or sleeping bag. The views are incredible and you get an awesome perspective of another mountain on this list, Mt. Kaikoma.
You can read a comprehensive guide to hiking the Kitadake here.
The Kitadake Hike
Terrain: 6/10
Environment: 7/10
Variety: 7/10
Views: 9/10
Difficulty: 7/10
9. Mt. Kaikoma
Mt. Kaikoma is a magnificent granite peak that can be prominently seen from Kitadake. It claims to have one of the steepest ridgelines in Japan which has been turned into a hiking trail thanks to a series of ladders. The ladders gradually bring you up above the forest at which point the terrain starts to change, revealing massive rock features all supported with ropes, chains, and footholds. It's an incredible 2-day hike and one that's lesser-known among the other popular hikes in Japan.
You can read a comprehensive guide to hiking Mt. Kaikoma here.
The Mt. Kaikoma Trail
Terrain: 10/10
Environment: 9/10
Variety: 9/10
Views: 10/10
Difficulty: 9/10
10. Mt. Utsugi to Mt. Kisokoma
Mt. Utsugi and Mt. Kisokoma are part of the Central Alps, and are undoubtedly their biggest highlights. Mt. Utsugi features unique granite boulders that look unlike anything else in Japan, and the 8-hour trail that connects the two mountains is full of amazing terrain, stunning views, and dramatic peaks. Mt. Kisokoma and the Senjojiki Cirque are an incredible finale for this 2-3 day hike and are conveniently served by Japan's highest cable car, the Komagatake Ropeway, so you don't have to hike all the way down the mountain. Simply put, Mt. Utsugi and Kisokoma are incredible, often overlooked but some of my all-time favourite mountains, 100% one of the best hikes in Japan.
You can read a comprehensive guide to hiking the Utsugi to Kisokoma trail here.
If you prefer just a single day of hiking, you can read the guide to hiking Mt. Kisokoma here.
The Utsugi to Kisokoma Trail
Terrain: 10/10
Environment: 10/10
Variety: 9/10
Views: 10/10
Difficulty: 9/10
11. Mt. Shari
It was pretty hard to choose just one hike in Hokkaido, especially with this choice not involving the Daisetsuzan mountain range. But Mt. Shari tops the list in terms of variety and wow factor across all metrics. You spend hours climbing up a river bed with lots of rock-hopping along the various water crossings, which eventually culminates into huge waterfalls and rope climbing. Then, when you get close to the peaks, you find lush green mountains with steep features and views all the way to the ocean. Finally, on your way back you cross over an absolutely gorgeous ridgeline complete with panoramic views. Possibly the best hike in Hokkaido, and for sure one of the best hikes in Japan.
You can read a comprehensive guide to hiking Mt. Shari here.
The Mt. Shari Trail
Terrain: 8/10
Environment: 9/10
Variety: 8/10
Views: 9/10
Difficulty: 6/10
12. Ishizuchi
Ishizuchi is an incredible peak on the island of Shikoku, a few hours' drive from Osaka. The shape of Ishizuchi is truly spectacular and the final climb on that knife-edge ridge is amazing, plus pretty alarming for those afraid of heights or anyone lacking rock climbing experience. There are 3 trail options, with one of them providing a ropeway and public transport. Another unique feature of the Ishizuchi hike is these massive chains that can be used to climb up the cliff face - it’s an optional extra though, so don’t worry if you prefer something more relaxed. The huge variety in terrain, the views, and the environment make this hands down one of the best hikes in Japan, and for sure the best hike in Shikoku.
You can read a comprehensive guide to hiking Ishizuchi here.
The Ishizuchi Trails
Terrain: 8/10
Environment: 9/10
Variety: 8/10
Views: 9/10
Difficulty: 7/10
Closing Comments
Choosing this list was much harder than I expected, and now I feel more humble when criticising the Hyakumeizan haha. I really wanted to include more hikes, such as Mt. Biei and Meakan in Hokkaido, but such a list needed a limit, and alas I already exceeded it, for the original plan was only to include 10 hikes! I hope that the brief descriptions and beautiful photos adequately show why these hikes have made it to the top, and hopefully, I've given some motivation out there to other curious travellers, browsing ideas for their next adventure.
