For experienced hikers seeking a challenge, here are some beautiful trails to consider. These hikes are known for their technical difficulty, strenuous terrain, or a combination of both. All of them are incredible with beautiful views and scenery. Enjoy!
Best Difficult Hikes in Japan
Warning:
Some of these hikes are dangerous, exposed and only for experienced climbers. Many of them require the use of chains, ladders and upper body strength and you should only walk them in good weather and once the snow has melted (July to mid October).
Also compare the elevation gain and distance to hikes you have previously walked and don't forget to check the times for sunrise and sunset. Japanese mountain huts expect you to arrive by 3pm at the latest.
Lastly don't forget to bring a helmet and gloves for better grip on the chains.
The traverse from Hakubayari Onsen to Karamatsu is an overnight hike with amazing scenery and a challenging ridge line. On the way up you pass by an outdoor hot spring bath and beautiful alpine flowers. Then you traverse an exposed ridgeline with chains. ladders and bolts. And finally on the way down you pass by the scenic happo pond and have the big peaks as a backdrop.
Strenuous: 3/5 Technical: 4/5
The Hida overnight ridge traverse from Nishihodaka to Okuhodaka, also often called Gendarme, is supposedly Japan’s most dangerous hike. This hike is very exposed and only for very experienced hikers. People fall and die every year so proceed with caution. It's not called Japans most dangerous hike for nothing. If you’re looking for a truly thrilling experience this is your hike. Helmet, gloves and climbing experience needed!
Strenuous: 4/5 Technical: 5/5
The Shimonoroka in the Kurobe Valley is a very exposed and complex 2-day hike with dramatic and incredibly scenic views of the Kurobe river. The valley can only be walked for a very short period from September to October because of snow and missing bridges/ladders.
Some years, it might not open at all. Before embarking on this hike, make sure the valley is passable.
Strenuous: 4/5 Technical: 5/5
If you’re looking for ladders, chains and ropes Okueyama in Miyazaki is the perfect fit. It supposedly has over 50 ladders, is exposed in some of the sections and has spectacular views of Kozumidaki, a giant granite rockface. The mountain is an ancient/extinct volcano which had one of the largest ever recorded eruptions in history. There is also a free mountain shelter and a “sacred” green and very clear river. Strenuous: 3/5 Technical: 4/5
The Daikiretto is the second half of the Hida ridge, continuing from Okuhodaka to Minamidake or even further to Yarigatake. Just like Gendarme it's very exposed and technical. You'll need not just upper body strength, but also climbing skills for the chains, bolts and ladders. Proceed with caution, this hike is more climbing then walking and don't forget to bring gloves and a helmet. It's usually walked in 2-3 days.
Strenuous: 4/5 Technical 5/5
Tsurugidake from Banbajima on the famous Hayatsuki ridge is a very streneous and difficult overnight hike. On the upper parts it has some technical sections and is exposed, but the main difficulty are the 2300m gain that need to be climbed in only 7km on the way up. With good weather you'll have amazing views of the Northern Alps from the peak.
Strenuous: 5/5 Technical: 4/5
Okuhotaka is a beautiful and difficult overnight hike from Kamikochi. It's the third highest peak in Japan after Mt. Fuji and Kitadake. The route described here passes by Maehodaka and is very strenuous. It also requires a helmet because of the loose rock and rockfall. For Maehodaka you'll need scramble skills.
Strenuous: 4/5 Technical: 4/5
Houozan and it's 3 peaks, Jizo, Kannon and Yakusi, is a strenuous dayhike with over 2100m elevation gain in the Southern Alps. On the way to Jizodake you'll pass some beautiful waterfalls and the whole hike is very scenic. It’s not technical, just long and steep.
Strenuous: 5/5 Technical: 2/5
The Iriomote island crossing is a challenging river/rainforest dayhike across Iriomote island in Okinawa. The logistics of this hike are complicated and require some advanced planning. This hike is possible year-round and offers a very different scenery compared to the rest of Japan and the Alps.
Strenuous: 3/5 Technical: 3/5 (route finding)
Kasagadake is another streneous and steep overnight hike in Gifu. You have more than 2100m elevation gain to the hut and the trail is not easy with lots of unstable boulders. The views are amazing tough and is well worth the effort. It's also a lot less busy than other hikes in the area and a good choice for the Kamikochi area.
Strenuous 5/5 Technical 3/5
Osugidani valley is an advanced in-and-out dayhike 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. Spring and fall usually have the best weather and no or less mountain leeches. The hike is always a bit wet and slippery and it's very exposed with most parts secured by chains.
Strenous 2/5 Technical: 4/5
The traverse from Shinhotaka through Kumonodaira and along the Yomiuri Shindo is an incredibly 4-6 day hike in the Northern Alps. The route is very strenuous, long and remote. The area also often gets called “last undiscovered region” and it’s truly off the beaten path for hiking in Japan. If you are flexible with time and have experience with hiking in Japan this is an amazin route.
Strenuous 5/5 Technical 2/5
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