Kashimayari to Goryu (Nagano/Toyama)
The traverse from Kashimayari to Goryu is a difficult 2 day climb on the Hakuba ridgeline. You’ll climb the famous Hachimine Kiretto and...
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All Hikes
Ura Ginza and Eboshi (Nagano)
Ura Ginza from Nanakura Sanso is a strenuous 3-4 traverse in the Northern Alps. It passes by Eboshidake and has some very exposed and...
Yomiuri-Shindo, Kumono-Daira, Washiba & Suisho (Nagano)
The traverse from Shinhotaka through Kumonodaira and along the Yomiuri Shindo is an incredibly 4-6day hike in the Northern Alps.
Shirouma to Hakubayari Onsen (Hakuba)
Shiroumadake 2932m to Hakubayari Onsen is an intermediate two-day traverse on the Hakuba ridgeline. It’s a beautiful route with the...
Ontake Iimori Kogen Route (Nagano/Gifu)
Ontakesan 3067 is an active volcano at the border of Gifu and Nagano. The volcanic plateau is huge with multiple peaks, huts and lakes.
Norikura (Nagano)
Norikuradake is an active volcano and scenic dayhike in Nagano. The hike is easy to access by bus and suitable for beginners.
Enasan Minekoshi Trail (Mie)
Mount Ena is one of the 100 famous mountains and an easy dayhike in Gifu. There are some nice views and a bit of challenge on the way up.
Yakushima Traverse
The Yakushima Traverse is an incredible hike over rocky peaks and through the centuries old forest of Yakushima.
Ureyama (Aichi)
The Aichi Prefecture Forest makes for a great dayhike from Nagoya. The views of Horai lake are stunning and the trail offers a variety of...
Ryugadake (Mie)
Ryugadake 1099m is one of the Suzuka mountains in Mie and an easy dayhike from Nagoya. The mountain is accessible year round and not too...
Gozaisho Snow Hike (Mie)
Gozaishodake 1212m is a scenic and easy to access winter hike. There is a variety of trails suited from beginner winter level to...
Kashimayari (Nagano/Toyama)
Kashimayaridake (鹿島槍ヶ岳) is a strenuous dayhike in the Northern Alps. The peak has beautiful views and lots of elevation gain.
Shimonoroka Kurobe Gorge (Toyama)
The Shimono Roka in the Kurobe Valley is a very exposed and complex hike with dramatic and incredibly scenic views of the Kurobe river....
Daikiretto: Minamidake to Hotaka Sanso (Nagano)
The infamous Daikiretto from Shinhotaka is a difficult 2-3 day climb in the Northern Alps. The traverse is best approached from...
Hijiri, Chausu and Kamikochi Loop (Nagano)
The loop from Hijiridake to Kamikochidake to Chausudake is a strenuous overnight or multiday hike in the Southern Alps. It has lots of
Tachudake (Yakushima)
Tachudake 1497m is a beautiful hike on Yakushima Island. The trail starts from Yakusugiland and is a nice mix of challenge with some...
Takachihonomine (Kagoshima)
Takachiho-no-mine 1574m is a short and easy volcano hike in the Kirishima national park. Technically you can do the whole ridge as a long...
Kaikoma (Yamanashi)
Kaikomagatake 2967m with it's famous "swords" is a beautiful and challenging hike in the Southern Alps. This post describes the trail...
Zao (Yamagata)
Zaosan 1841m with the beautiful Okutama crater lake is a short and easy hike/walk in Tohoku. Perfect as a dayhike from Sendai or...
Daisen (Tottori)
Hoki-Daisen 1709m is a popular and easy dayhike in Tottori prefecture. The mountain is easily accessible by public transportation from...
Yakedake Snow Hike (Nagano)
Yakedake 2455m in winter is an intermediate hike which is accessible from Nakanoyu Onsen. The hike has beautiful views from the Northern...
Akadake (Yamanashi)
Akadake 2899m is a difficult dayhike or intermediate multiday hike in the volcanic Yatsugatake mountains. The mountain range has lots of...
Utsugi (Nagano/Gifu)
Utsugidake 2864m is a beautiful and strenuous dayhike in the central alps. It's possible year-round with winter hiking gear and there are...
Mitake and Odake (Tokyo)
Mitakesan to Odakesan to Okutama is a nice dayhike from Tokyo easily reachable by public transportation. It's a bit more challenging than...
Mount Fuji Yoshida Trail (Yamanashi)
Fujisan 3776m is Japans most famous hike and relatively easy if you are resonably fit and the weather is good. Described here is the...
Chiiwa Gorge (Aichi)
Chiiwa Gorge is a beautiful valley hike along Chiiwa river with some cool rocks and caves to climb at the end. It's accessible year-round...
Shizugatake (Shiga)
Shizugatake 421m is a short and easy dayhike with beautiful views of Lake Biwa and Lake Yogo. Its also famous for the battle of...
Yatsubuchi no taki (Mie)
Yatsubuchinotaki is a difficult waterfall hike next to Lake Biwa. The trail follows a river upstream past several waterfalls. Part of the...
Nakasendo: Magome to Tsumago (Gifu)
The trail from Magome to Tsumago is part of the fromer Nakasendo route that connected Tokyo to Kyoto. It's a nice walk through the...
Kamagadake Mitsuguchidani (Mie)
Kamagadake 1161m is an intermediate hike perfect for anyone looking for a little more challenge compared to Gozaisho. The trails...
Yoro Loop (Gifu)
Yorosan 859m is an easy dayhike from Nagoya. The loop I walked was a bit more difficult, not well marked and very overgrown. If you are...
Rokko to Arima Onsen (Kobe/Hyogo)
Rokkosan 931m is a popular dayhike from Kobe. The hike has some nice views, little bit of climbing and you can have lunch at the top. We...
Gozaisho (Mie)
Gozaishodake 1212m is my favorite dayhike from Nagoya and an easy to intermediate hike depending on which trail you take and if you use...
Fujiwara (Mie)
Fujiwara 1140m is an easy dayhike from Nagoya. The mountain is accessible year round and not too difficult in winter. Spikes and poles...
Nishihotaka to Yakedake traverse (Nagano)
The traverse from Nishihotaka 2909m to Yakedake 2455m is an intermediate overnight hike. Start is at Shinhotaka ropeway and you finish at...
Hatonosu Valley Okutama (Tokyo)
Hatonosu Valley is an beautiful and easy dayhike from Tokyo accessible by public transportation. You can walk it year-round and there is...
Asahidake Nakadake Onsen Loop (Hokkaido)
The Asahidake 2291m to Nakadake Onsen Loop is an intermediate loop hike in the Daisetsuzan National Park. This hike is a great option if...
Daigenta 3 peaks (Niigata)
The Daigentasan three peaks 1977m (大源太山) are an intermediate loop hike in Niigata.
Meakan (Hokkaido)
Meakandake 1499m is an easy dayhike reachable from Lake Akan. The color of the rocks is amazing and you can look directly into the...
Nagiso (Gifu)
Nagiso 1679m is an intermediate loop hike in Gifu. This hike is great as a dayhike from Nagoya and has a little more challenge than other...
Nishizawa Gorge (Yamanashi)
Nishizawa Gorge is an intermediate dayhike easily accessible from Kofu or Kawaguchiko. The gorge is famous for its many waterfalls and...
Houozan Loop (Yamanashi)
Houozan 2840m, and it's 3 peaks, Jizo, Kannon and Yakusi, is a difficult dayhike or intermediate overnight hike in the Southern Alps. On...
Omote Ginza Hike (Nagano)
Omote Ginza (表銀座) is a 3 nights 4 days hike in the Northern Alps. It's a very popular route with beautiful views and intermediate difficulty
Yakushi (Toyama)
Yakushidake 2926m is a beautiful hike in Toyama belonging to the Tateyama range. It's known for its natural beauty and being more remote....
Tanigawa (Gunma)
Tanigawadake 1977m is an intermediate hike with a partial ropeway. In summer there are lots of beautiful wild flowers and the hike can...
Tsurugi from Banbajima (Toyama)
Tsurugidake 2999m is an expert hike in Toyama because of the elevation gain and steepness of the ridge. The hike has some technical...
Ibuki Snow Hike (Shiga/Gifu)
Ibuki 1377m is a very snowy and cold but easy winter hike reachable as a dayhike from Nagoya. There are some steeper sections at the top...
Yarigatake: Shinhotaka to Kamikochi (Nagano)
Yarigatake 3180m in the off-season is a difficult snow hike with lots of elevation gain on the way up. With good weather you’ll have...
Kujurenzan (Kyushu)
Nakadake 1791m and the Kujurenzan mountain range make for an easy dayhike from Beppu or Yufuin. The whole plateau has many trails and...
Okuhotaka: Dakesawa to Karasawa (Nagano)
Okuhotaka 3190m is Japans 3rd highest peak and a difficult overnight hike from Kamikochi. The route described here passes by Maehodaka...
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