Discover the Best Hiking Trails in Japan

About three-quarters of Japan is mountains, so it’s no surprise that hiking is a popular pursuit for locals and travelers alike. There are monumental peaks (hello Mt Fuji!) and gentle hills, sublime landscapes, and historic trails.

Japan has its own rich hiking culture: stay with fellow hikers in one of the country’s many convivial mountain lodges and, afterward, find a good onsen (hot spring bath) in which to soak. Trails in Japan are generally well-maintained, and there’s public transportation to most popular trailheads.

1. Mt Fuji

Best bucket list hike
15km (9.3 miles) round-trip, 10–12 hours, hard

Mt Fuji, at 3776m (12,388ft), is Japan’s tallest mountain. Hundreds of thousands of people climb Fuji-san every year, continuing a centuries-old tradition of pilgrimages up the sacred volcano. Many Japanese believe they should climb it once in their lifetime. However, the saying goes that it’s wise to climb once, but foolish to climb it twice.

It’s not an easy hike; there are sections that require scrambling over boulders, and much of the trail happens above the tree line. Nevertheless, the feeling of reaching the top is magical. For many, the goal is to see goraikō (the rising sun) from the summit. This often involves climbing throughout the night with headlamps or staying halfway up the mountain in simplistic huts that provide lodging, toilets, food, water, and wi-fi.

Planning tip: There are four trails up the mountain, but the Yoshida Trail is by far the most popular. It’s the easiest to reach from Tokyo and has the most huts. Climbing season lasts from July 1 to September 10.

2. Mt Takao

Best urban hike from Tokyo
9km (5.6 miles) round-trip, 3–4 hours, easy

Mt Takao is Tokyo’s signature mountain—technically in the capital itself, though it’s an hour away from the nearest major urban hub by train, which goes directly to the mountain’s base. This ease of access makes Takao extremely popular, attracting everyone from families with kids to active seniors.

There are six trails to the summit, ranging from woodsy to well-trodden, featuring various attractions along the way, including a Buddhist temple established in the 8th century. From the summit (599m/1965ft), hikers enjoy views back over Tokyo, and, on a clear day, glorious Mt Fuji.

Local tip: Mt Takao is a year-round destination that is especially popular during summer when a beer garden opens on a terrace two-thirds of the way to the top and in fall when the leaves change color.

3. Shiratani Unsui Gorge (Yakushima)

Best for enchanting scenery
6km (3.7 miles) round-trip, 3–4 hours, easy

Yakushima is one of Japan’s most enchanting places, home to various cedar trees called yakusugi, which live for over 1000 years. These trees have massive, gnarled trunks and thick roots that spread over the rocky forest floor.

Within Yakushima, the most spectacular spot is the Shiratani Unsui Gorge, said to have inspired the legendary animator Miyazaki Hayao’s acclaimed 1997 film Princess Mononoke. A gentle, half-day trek leads through the gorge’s quietly magnificent moss forest, past ancient trees to a lookout point at Taiko Rock.

Yakushima offers more than hiking; it also features beautiful beaches and rejuvenating hot springs.

4. Kumano Kodō (Takajiri-ōji to Kumano Hongū Taisha)

Best for pilgrim trails
37.8km (23.5 miles), 2 days, moderate

The Kumano Kodō is a network of pilgrim trails first charted approximately 1000 years ago by mountain ascetics called yamabushi. Originally used for religious training and acts of endurance, these trails deep in Japan’s mountainous Kii Peninsula now attract hikers worldwide.

The main trail, called the Nakahechi, runs from Takajiri-ōji to the grand shrine, Kumano Hongū Taisha. Most modern-day pilgrims complete the trek in two days, with a stop at an inn around the halfway point.

Planning tip: A bus runs parallel to the route, allowing hikers to tackle smaller sections instead of the entire trail. Alternatively, hikers can continue for another two days to reach the shrine at Kumano Nachi Taisha.

5. Kamikōchi–Hotaka-Yari Circuit

Best multi-day trek
34km/21 miles round-trip, 3 days, hard

Mt Yari, or Yari-ga-take, derives its name from the Japanese word for spear, as its craggy peak rises sharply. At 3180m (10,433ft), it’s Japan’s 5th-tallest mountain and part of the Northern Japan Alps, the country’s premier outdoor destination.

The Kamikochi-Hotaka-Yari Circuit is the ultimate route for serious hikers. This three-day trek begins in Kamikōchi, a highland river valley surrounded by towering peaks. After reaching the summit of Mt Oku-Hotaka, hikers traverse the challenging and narrow Daikiretto ridgeline to Mt Yari.

Local tip: If this trek feels overwhelming, Kamikōchi itself offers a variety of breathtaking hiking opportunities suitable for all skill levels.

6. Magome to Tsumago

Best for history
7.8km (4.8 miles), 3–4 hours, easy

Magome and Tsumago are two towns along the Nakasendō, an old foot highway that connected Edo (present-day Tokyo) with Kyoto. During the Edo period (1603–1868), it was reserved for use by the shogun and powerful lords, functioning as rest stations that catered to travelers.

Today, only a few sections of these historic routes remain, including the path between Magome and Tsumago. This charming route—part cobblestone, part packed earth—stretches through the scenic Kiso Valley, passing small rural settlements and teahouses. Both towns feature well-preserved traditional buildings characterized by dark wood, latticework, and slate roofs from the Nakasendō’s heyday.

Planning tip: The Kiso Valley lies along the border of Nagano and Gifu prefectures, close to the Central Japan Alps.

Top Tips for Hiking in Japan

• Camping is permitted only at designated campsites. Many multi-day hikes require a night or more in a mountain lodge or hut that may provide hot meals.

• Weather in Japan, especially in mountainous areas, can be unpredictable. Pay special attention to typhoon warnings from June to October.

• Shops in Tokyo and around popular hiking destinations rent good-quality hiking gear, including boots, if you don’t want to bring your own.

• Information centers and mountain lodges can provide trail maps and essential updates regarding closures, detours, and recent bear sightings.

• Although bear attacks are rare, they can occur. Many hikers carry bells to alert bears of their presence.

• Falling rocks pose a risk as well. Some climbers attempting peaks like Mt Fuji or Mt Yari wear helmets for protection.

This article was first published on April 22, 2022, and updated on December 13, 2023.