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

Kasagadake 2897m is a strenuous and scenic hike in Gifu. It has amazing views of the Hida Ridge and is a less busy choice compared to some of the other big peaks in the area. It's also not technical or exposed. The trail starts from Shinhotaka Onsen and is easy to access by public transportation. It's also a good starting point for a longer multi day hike along the ridge to Yarigatake and then to Kamikochi. ⏲︎ Time: 13h ✎ Kanji: 笠ヶ岳 ⚲  Location: Nagano ↔ Distance: 20km

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

The Shirane Sanzan traverse is a scenic 2-3 day hike in the Southern Alps that passes by Japans 2nd highest peak Kitadake 3193m. On the way you'll also pass Ainodake 3190m and Notoridake 3026m. The hike is not technically difficult but quite long and streneous. Keep in mind that you can only reach Hirogawara by bus, so you can only hike Shirane Sanzan once they start running. Typically from early summer to mid October. Check here for the timetable. ⏲︎ Time: 15h ✎ Kanji: 北岳

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

The Kumano Kodo Nakahechi route is a popular 4 days - 3 nights pilgrimage hike in Wakayama. Due to the popularity of the hike and the limited accomodation along the trail, its often booked out months in advance. Because Kumano Kodo is a sacred pilgrimage route, wild camping is not allowed. However, there are a couple of official campgrounds along the route and it is possible to walk the trail and camp. You will have to carry your tent and gear and also some food. The trail is

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

The Hida ridge traverse from Nishihodaka to Okuhodaka is an expert level scramble with dramatic views and cliffs. It requires upper body strength for free climbing with your hands and chains and is very exposed. It's also often called Gendarme 3163m which is one of the peaks on the traverse. This trail is dangerous and only for confident and experienced climbers. Many people fall and die every year on this route so proceed with caution. It's called "Japans most dangerous trai

Hakubayari Onsen 2100m to Karamatsu 2696m is a challenging 2 day traverse on the Hakuba ridgeline. The hike is incredibly scenic and very rewarding. Day 2 is a scramble along a knife ridge and requires climbing skills and upper body strength. The ridge is very exposed and only for experienced climbers. Helmet and gloves needed. ⏲︎ Time: 13-15h ✎ Kanji: 白馬鑓温泉小屋 ⚲ Location: Nagano ↔ Distance: 21.8km ✮ Difficulty: Difficult ᨒ Elevation Gain: 2300m ☀ Overnight ☉ Hiking S

Mt.Tsurugi 1955m is the second tallest mountain on Shikoku and a scenic and easy dayhike. It's famous for it's fall colors and the drive to the ropeway is also very beautiful. Due to the fall colors it can get very crowded on weekends so it's best to visit it during the week. There is a chairlift which runs from mid April to December. ⏲︎ Time: 2-3h ✎ Kanji: 剣山 ⚲ Location: Tokushima ↔ Distance: 2km ✮ Difficulty: Easy ᨒ Elevation Gain: 235m ☀ Dayhike ☉ Hiking Season

Osugidani valley is an advanced in-and-out hike in Mie. It's one of Japans top 3 most beautiful valleys and accessible from spring to fall. The access gate is closed and locked outside of the season. 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 mountain leeches. The hike is always a bit wet and slippery and it's very exposed with most parts secured by chains. There have been a l

The Tatayama 3015m to Bessan 2880m loop is an intermediate hike around the Tateyama plateau. The hike is possible once the Kurobe Alpine Route opens. Because of the easy access the first part of the hike is incredibly busy during summer. If possible it’s best to go early or during the week. Until the end of June winter gear like crampons and axe is needed. ⏲︎ Time: 6-7h ✎ Kanji: 立山 ⚲ Location: Nagano ↔ Distance: 10km ✮ Difficulty: Intermediate ᨒ Elevation Gain: 100