Mount Sanage (629 m) is one of the most popular day hikes around Nagoya. The mountain is known for its forested paths, small shrines, and...

Jonen (2857m) is a streneous and scenic snow hike in Nagano. From the peak you have incredible views of the Hotaka peaks and Yarigatake.

Shiomidake 3052m is a scenic and strenuous hike in the Southern Alps. From the top you’ll have incredible views of the Southern Alps and...

Hachijo Fuji 854m is an active volcano and easy hike on Hachijojima. On a clear day you'll have beautiful views of the volcano and island.

The Konze Alps are a great dayhike easily accessible from the Kansai area and Nagoya. There is a variety of trails to choose from to make...

Ontakesan 3067 is an active volcano at the border of Gifu and Nagano. The volcanic plateau is huge with multiple peaks, huts and lakes.

Norikuradake is an active volcano and scenic dayhike in Nagano. The hike is easy to access by bus and suitable for beginners.

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.

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 terrain from rocky ridges with chains to waterfalls and forest trails. Since the elevation is quite low this hike is best for spring and fall to avoid the heat (and the mountain leeches). ⏲︎ Time: 8h ✎ Kanji: 愛知県森林 ⚲ Location: Aichi ↔ Distance: 13km ✮ Difficulty: Intermediate ᨒ Elevation Gain: 1360m ☀ Dayhike ☉ Hiking S

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...

Gozaishodake 1212m is a scenic and easy to access winter hike. There is a variety of trails suited from beginner winter level to...

Kashimayaridake (鹿島槍ヶ岳) is a strenuous dayhike in the Northern Alps. The peak has beautiful views and lots of elevation gain.

Tachudake 1497m is a beautiful hike on Yakushima Island. The trail starts from Yakusugiland and is a nice mix of challenge with some...

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...

Zaosan 1841m with the beautiful Okutama crater lake is a short and easy hike/walk in Tohoku. Perfect as a dayhike from Sendai or...

Hoki-Daisen 1709m is a popular and easy dayhike in Tottori prefecture. The mountain is easily accessible by public transportation from...

Yakedake 2455m in winter is an intermediate hike which is accessible from Nakanoyu Onsen. The hike has beautiful views from the Northern...

Akadake 2899m is a difficult dayhike or intermediate multiday hike in the volcanic Yatsugatake mountains. The mountain range has lots of...

Utsugidake 2864m is a beautiful and strenuous dayhike in the central alps. It's possible year-round with winter hiking gear and there are...

Mitakesan to Odakesan to Okutama is a nice dayhike from Tokyo easily reachable by public transportation. It's a bit more challenging than...

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 is a beautiful valley hike along the Chiiwa river with interesting rock formations and caves to climb at the end. It's...

Shizugatake 421m is a short and easy dayhike with beautiful views of Lake Biwa and Lake Yogo. Its also famous for the battle of Shizugatake in 1583. Spring and fall are the best times for this hike. ⏲︎ Time: 1h30min ✎ Kanji: 賤ヶ岳 ⚲ Location: Shiga ↔ Distance: 3km ✮ Difficulty: Easy ᨒ Elevation Gain: 300m ☀ Dayhike ☉ Hiking Season: year-round Access Park at the free parking lot . If you want to do less walking, you can also go from Nagahama and take the little lift

Yatsubuchinotaki is a difficult waterfall hike next to Lake Biwa. The trail follows a river upstream past several waterfalls. Part of the...

The trail from Magome to Tsumago is part of the historic Nakasendo route, which once connected Tokyo and Kyoto. The path offers a scenic...

Kamagadake 1161m is an intermediate hike perfect for anyone looking for a little more challenge compared to Gozaisho. The trails...

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...

Rokkosan (931 m) is a popular day hike from Kobe. The trail offers nice views and has some light climbing, with the summit providing a...

Gozaishodake 1212m is one of the nicest day hikes from Nagoya and an easy to intermediate hike depending on which trail you take and if...

Fujiwara 1140m is an easy dayhike from Nagoya. The mountain is accessible year round and not too difficult in winter. Spikes and poles...

Hatonosu Valley is an beautiful and easy dayhike from Tokyo accessible by public transportation. You can walk it year-round and there is...

The Asahidake 2291m to Nakadake Onsen Loop is an intermediate loop hike in the Daisetsuzan National Park. This hike is a great option if...

The Daigentasan three peaks 1977m (大源太山) are an intermediate loop hike in Niigata.

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 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 is an intermediate dayhike easily accessible from Kofu or Kawaguchiko. The gorge is famous for its many waterfalls and...

Houozan 2840m, and it's 3 peaks, Jizo, Kannon and Yakusi, is a difficult dayhike or intermediate overnight hike in the Southern Alps. On...

Tanigawadake 1977m is an intermediate hike with a partial ropeway. In summer there are lots of beautiful wild flowers and the hike can...

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...

Nakadake 1791m and the volcanic Kujurenzan mountain range make for an easy and scenic dayhike from Beppu or Yufuin. The whole plateau has many trails and small peaks and it can be made shorter or longer or even turned into an overnight hike with a stay at Hokkein Onsen Sanso. There are also multiple different trailheads to start, most people start from Makinoto pass. ⏲︎ Time: 5-6h ✎ Kanji: 九重山 ⚲ Location: Kyushu ↔ Distance: 11.2km ✮ Difficulty: Easy ᨒ Elevation Gain

Ontakesan 3067 is an active volcano at the border of Gifu and Nagano. The plateau around the peak is vast with multiple huts and lakes. Depending on the current warning level and closed off areas Ontake makes for a great overnight hike. There is also a ropeway going up from the other side. ⏲︎ Time: 8h ✎ Kanji: 御嶽山 ⚲ Location: Gifu ↔ Distance: 10.2km ✮ Difficulty: Intermediate ᨒ Elevation Gain: 1123m ☀ Dayhike ☉ Hiking Season: mid July to mid October Access A

Hakusan 2,702m is one of Japan’s three sacred volcanoes, alongside Mt. Fuji and Tateyama. The Hirasedo trailhead on the Gifu side is relatively quiet and easy to access from Nagoya. At the base of the trail, there is a striking blue dam lake as well as an open-air onsen nearby. Access to the trailhead is via a mountain road that is often closed, so road conditions should be checked in advance before travelling. ⏲︎ Time: 7-10h ✎ Kanji: 白山 ⚲ Location: Nagano ↔ Distance:

Harinokidake 2,821m feels like one of the area’s best-kept secrets. It’s an intermediate day hike with great views of the Kurobe Dam and the Hotaka Mountains. A snow valley usually remains for much of the year, but by late September it typically melts enough that crampons are not required. This hike is a great option for those looking to avoid the crowds around Tateyama while still enjoying a stunning alpine summit. ⏲︎ Time: 8-10h ✎ Kanji: 針ノ木岳 ⚲ Location: Toyama ↔ Di

Kisokomagatake 2,956m is an intermediate winter hike and an easy summer hike. The ropeway significantly reduces the amount of elevation gain in both seasons, making the ascent much more accessible. It’s a great option if you want to reach high altitude and enjoy expansive views without spending hours climbing through forest. The mountain is also well suited for practising with crampons and an ice axe. However, avalanche risk can be high in winter, so conditions should be chec

The Iriomote Island Crossing is a challenging yet stunning hike that takes you through dense rainforest and along clear rivers in one of Japan’s most remote islands. Careful planning is important, as access to the trailheads and transportation back is complicated. Despite the logistical challenges, the hike across the island is incredible adventure walking through wild, untouched nature. ⏲︎ Time: 10h ✎ Kanji: 西表島のジャングルを横断 ⚲ Location: Iriomote Okinawa ↔ Distance: 26.5k

Tenjosan 572m is an easy dayhike on Kozushima with beautiful views of the ocean and island. It's steep up to the ridge, but the views are worth it. You can take a shuttle from the center of town to get to the trailhead and no car is needed. ⏲︎ Time: 4h ✎ Kanji: 天上山 ⚲ Location: Kozushima Tokyo ↔ Distance: 4.5km ✮ Difficulty: Easy ᨒ Elevation Gain: 482m ☀ Dayhike ☉ Hiking Season: year-round Access There are two trailheads to start from; shiro or kuro. The bus

Mihara 758m is an active volcano and easy hike on Oshima. On a clear day you'll have views of Mt. Fuji and the mainland. There is a also a little restaurant at the trailhead and a visitor center. ⏲︎ Time: 2-3h ✎ Kanji: 三原山 ⚲ Location: Oshima Tokyo ↔ Distance: 7km ✮ Difficulty: Easy ᨒ Elevation Gain: 300m ☀ Dayhike ☉ Hiking Season: year-round Access Depending on the season you might have to rent a car to get to the trailhead or walk all the way from the port.

Settogatake 1710m is a short little hike with amazing views of Mount Fuji. This hike is perfect if you're in the Fuji five lakes area and want to get away from the masses at Kawaguchiko. The trail is up is a little steep but not too long and doable even for beginners. ⏲︎ Time: 3h ✎ Kanji: 雪頭ヶ岳 ⚲ Location: Yamanashi ↔ Distance: 9km ✮ Difficulty: Easy ᨒ Elevation Gain: 820m ☀ Dayhike ☉ Snow: December to February Access Trailhead starts behind Lake Saiko. There is

Okueyama 1643m is a difficult hike in Miyazaki, Kyushu. It's famous for it's many chains, ladders and ropes (supposedly over 50) with spectacular views of Kozumidaki, a giant granite rockface. This hike is a good choice if you're looking for a challenge in Kyushu. Because of the many climbing sections it's recomended to only do this hike in good/dry weather and during the main hiking season without snow. ⏲︎ Time: 10h ✎ Kanji: 大崩山 ⚲ Location: Miyazaki ↔ Distance: 10km ✮ Dif

Karamatsu 2696m is an intermediate and very popular winter hike from the Happo One ski resort. It's very scenic with beautiful views and good to practice use of crampons and axe. Weather at the peak is often bad in winter with high winds. Full winter gear including crampons and axe is needed. The hike is possible year round and during weekends always very busy. ⏲︎ Time: 6h ✎ Kanji: 唐松岳 ⚲  Location: Nagano ↔ Distance: 9km ✮ Difficulty: Intermediate ᨒ Elevation Gain: 95