Best Hikes From Nagoya
Nagoya has a central location in Japan, perfect for hiking. Northern, Central and Southern Alps are all within reasonable distance and can easily be reached for dayhikes or weekend hikes. Here are the best day hikes from Nagoya with easy and convenient access.
1. Mt. Gozaisho
2. Kisokoma
3. Ontake
4. Osugidani
5. Shizugatake (Lake Biwa)
6. Kamagadake
7. Utsugi
8. Mt. Nagiso
9. Mt.Ibuki
10. Fujiwara
Gozaishodake 1212m is not a very high mountain but the terrain resembles the alps and the views from the top are beautiful. There are many trails to the top with varying difficulty, which makes the mountain interesting for beginner and intermediate hikers. You can also use the ropeway and there is a beautiful waterfall close to the trailhead. It’s easily accessible by direct bus from Nagoya station.
Level: 2/5 Strenous: 2/5 Technical: 2/5
Kisokomagatake 2956m is a proper alpine hike with a ropeway that goes almost all the way to the top. This is a good hike if you want to get high up and have beautiful views, but don't want to climb through the forest for hours. It’s also open in winter for people with snow equipment and experience.
Level: 2/5 Strenous: 2/5 Technical: 1/5
Ontakesan 3067 is an active volcano and beautiful hike at the border of Gifu and Nagano. On a clear day you can often see it from Nagoya. There are two main access routes; Nigorio Onsen and from the ropeway. The peak plateau is quite large and has many huts, so overnight hikes are nice too.
Level: 3/5 Strenous: 3/5 Technical: 2/5
​Osugidani valley is a difficult waterfall gorge hike in Mie. It's one of Japans top 3 most beautiful valleys and accessible from spring to fall. The valley receives a lot of rainfall and it's notoriously hard to get a good weather day. If you do get lucky, you’ll walk along an exposed valley with chains and beautiful views of the river.
Level: 4/5 Strenous: 3/5 Technical: 4/5
The easiest hike in this list Shizugatake 421m is an nice dayhike with beautiful views of Lake Biwa and Lake Yogo. Its also famous for the battle of Shizugatake in 1583. If you go in spring there will be lots of flowers andthere is also a chairlift if you want to avoid almost all walking. .
Level: 1/5 Strenous: 1/5 Technical: 1/5
Kamagadake 1161m is an intermediate hike perfect for people who are looking for a little challenge compared to Gozaisho. It can also easily be combined into a long loop hike with Gozaisho or made shorter by using the ropeway for the way up/down. Just like Gozaisho it's easily accessed from Nagoya by direct bus or car.
Level: 3/5 Strenous: 2/5 Technical: 3/5
Utsugidake 2864m is a beautiful and strenuous hike in the Central Alps. It's accessible year-round with winter hiking gear and there are two shelter huts on the way up. In summer you can also traverse to Kisokoma or further along the ridgeline. There are a couple of exposed sections with chains which will require upper body strenght and basic climbing skills.
Level: 3/5 Strenous: 3/5 Technical: 4/5
Nagiso 1679m is an intermediate loop hike in Gifu/Nagano. This hike has a little more challenge with lots of ladders and some chains. Good to get some practice for more technical hikes in a non exposed setting. There is also a free shelter hut close to the peak and on a clear day you can see the Alps.
Level: 2/5 Strenous: 2/5 Technical: 3/5
Ibuki 1377m is an easy year-round hike from Nagoya. There are some steeper sections at the top but this is a good beginner hike to gain more stamina or practice axe use in winter. In summer and spring it’s famous for wild flowers and in winter for lots and lots of snow.
Level: 2/5 Strenous: 2/5 Technical: 2/5
Fujiwara 1140m is an easy dayhike reachable by train from Nagoya. It's accessible year round and not too difficult in winter either. From the top you'll have nice views of the surrounding mountains and there is also a free shelter hut near the peak.
Level: 1/5 Strenous: 2/5 Technical: 1/5
Other hikes in the area:
-Hakusan
-Yatsubuchi No Taki
-Yoro