All hikes
I moved to Japan in 2022, and immediately got hooked on hiking. In under 4 years, I've done over 150 hikes, and have written about 99 of them here on this blog.
If you're trying to figure out where to hike next, you can make use of the handy filters below, or head back to my hiking in Japan homepage where I have links out to a bunch of guides and round-up posts.
Currently showing 99 posts
When to climb Jan - May, October - Dec
A 15km, 7hr course which feels easier than it sounds. Great views of Mt Fuji, and a chance to see the suspicious-and-iconic horse statue at Mt Jinba.
When to climb April - May, October - January
If you've already climbed Mt Tonodake or Mt Tanzawa and are looking for another Tanzawa mountain to check off of your list, Mt Nabewari is a great option if you're interested in eating its famous nabeyaki udon.
When to climb mid-March - May, October - mid-January
A beginner-friendly hike in Hakone with views of Mt Fuji from the summit if you are lucky. If you'd like to extend your hike further, you can do a traverse to the neighbouring Mt Myojingatake with some really pretty ridgeline views.
When to climb Year-round
Japan's most-climbed mountain, conveniently located an hour's train ride from Shinjuku.
When to climb April - November
The easiest mountain in the Tanzawa range with cable car access. The shortest course is a little over 3 hours, or skip the cable car for a 6-hour loop course.
When to climb April - December
A great beginner-friendly hike in Okutama with a Fuji view. Expect to hike up to 5 hours, and stop by the Mt Mitake Shrine as well.
When to climb July - October
One of Japan's Hundred Famous Mountains located in the Southern Alps. Features a unique sandy summit and can be done as a day hike or as part of a 2-day trip with Mt Senjo.
When to climb July - October
Known as the Queen of the Southern Alps. With a round-trip course time of 7 hours, it's one of the more accessible mountains in the Southern Alps. Can be done as a day hike or as an overnight hike with a stay at a mountain hut.
When to climb mid-July - early October
Japan's second tallest mountain, located in the Southern Alps. Mt Kita can be climbed as a 10-hour day hike, or as a 2-day hike with an overnight stay at a mountain hut. Optionally, can be climbed together with the neighbouring Mt Aino.
When to climb June to October
A short hike out to two adjacent peaks, featuring the crater rim of Mt Azuma-Kofuji and some great views out from Mt Issaikyo.
When to climb Late June to late October
A quick 3 hour hike with ropeway and chairlift access. Especially beautiful during autumn. Can done as an (expensive) day trip from Tokyo via shinkansen.
When to climb Early July - end of October
I hiked Mt Hiuchi and Mt Myoko together as a 2-day hike, but they can be done as separate 9-hour day hikes. Especially popular in autumn.
When to climb mid-July to beginning of October
A 3-day hut-to-hut hike through the North Alps, climbing Mt Kurobegoro and Mt Yari via the Nishi-Ginza Diamond course.
When to climb mid-June - October
A beginner-friendly 2-3 hour hike to a mirror lake 2000m high in the mountains. Accessible via gondola and chairlift.
When to climb Mid-June - Oct
Some steep climbs but a reasonable 6.5 hour day hike. The final portion is a ridgeline walk with lots of alpine flowers in summer with views out to the Sea of Japan.
When to climb June - October
A Hundred Famous Mountain in Niigata also famous with photographers for its unique waterfall clouds, which can be viewed at sunrise.
When to climb June - October
A day hike from the popular Kamikochi. The 13km course via Kamikochi takes 7.5 hours, or there's a shorter 5-hour course from Shinnaka-no-yu trailhead.
When to climb June - October
A hyakumeizan straddling Gunma and Niigata prefectures, with a long ridgeline walk near the summit once you escape the forest. Expect a long 8 - 9hr day hike, with opportunities to spot nikko-kisuge flowers if you come in mid-July.
When to climb July - early October
One of Japan's Hundred Famous Mountains in the North Alps, relatively accessible with a 4-hour drive from Tokyo. Can be done as a long day hike (10-11 hours) or overnight at the mountain hut.
When to climb May - mid-November
Unfortunately has a reputation as one of the most "boring" of the Hundred Famous Mountains due to lack of views, but it's not as bad as its reputation suggests.
When to climb June - September
A loop hike in the small mountain town of Les Diablerets.
When to climb June - October
A hike up Montreux's local mountain with views down to Lake Geneva. You can get a cogwheel train right to the summit, or hike up (or down) via Caux.
When to climb April - October
A scenic mountain overlooking Geneva. The hiking trail takes you through some cute Swiss villages before heading into France to hike up the mountain.
When to climb May - September
A scenic peak near Lucerne, with Europe's oldest cogwheel train and a panoramic hiking course.
When to climb mid-May - October
A day hike from Lucerne. The mountain looks imposing, but is fairly straightforward to climb via a series of switchbacks.
When to climb May - mid-November
A pair of hills nestled on the side of Mt Fuji. Great if you want a close-up view without visiting the peak itself.
When to climb October - January, March - May
A hike with a great stretch of uninterrupted views of Mt Fuji along the ridgeline between Mt Odake and Mt Onigatake
When to climb April to mid-December
A hiking course that takes you up above Lake Kawaguchiko for a great Mt Fuji view, before you descend back down to the lake.
When to climb October - May
A station-to-station hike with wide smooth paths, making it ideal for trail runners.
When to climb Mid-June - October
A beautiful hike in Nikko National Park with varied scenery and plenty of ridgeline walking.
When to climb May - November
A steep climb, but possible as a day hike from Tokyo. Located in Nikko National Park. Has a rather interesting 3.5m sword at the summit.
When to climb June - October
One of the 3 major peaks in Oze National Park, with great views of the Oze Marsh. Can be combined as a 2-day hike with the neighbouring Mt Shibutsu.
When to climb October - January, March - May
An interesting station-to-station hike with the opportunity to spot some sculptures, although more than a third of the trail is along a road.
When to climb November - May
A great low-elevation mountain to climb in the colder months, with views of Mt Fuji.
When to climb September - January, mid-April - June
One of the mountains near Lake Motosuko, with great views of Mt Fuji.
When to climb September - January, April - June
One of the mountains near Lake Kawaguchiko, with great views from the Fujiyama Twin Terrace deck.
When to climb April - May, October - January
The course is well-maintained with lots of stairs and rest huts, and easy access from Tokyo.
When to climb October - January, March - May
A Yamanashi Hundred Famous Mountain next to Lake Shojiko, one of the Fuji Five Lakes. The loop course includes Panorama-dai and offers excellent views of Mt Fuji.
When to climb July - August
As the most famous mountain in Japan, it needs no introduction. Either come via an overnight bus for a "day" hike, or spend the night in a mountain hut.
When to climb May - October
One of the easiest hyakumeizans, most popular for its yellow Nikko Kisuge flowers which bloom in July.
When to climb Late May - mid-October
The highest peak in the Yatsugatake mountain range. Possible as a "day" hike from Tokyo if you don't mind taking an overnight bus. Otherwise expect a night's stay in a tent or mountain hut.
When to climb May - November
A straightforward beginner-friendly loop course, with good bus access. Particularly popular in May for its pink azaleas. You can also visit the nearby Akagi Shrine.
When to climb July - October
One of the 3 major peaks in Oze National Park, with great views of the Oze Marsh. Can be combined as a 2-day hike with the neighbouring Mt Hiuchigatake.
When to climb June - November
A still-active volcano that last erupted in 2014. Can pair with Mt Norikura or Mt Kiso-komagatake for a weekend trip.
When to climb mid-April - early November
Day trip accessible via Shinkansen and local train to Doai station, the deepest train station in all of Japan. Very popular in autumn.
When to climb mid-April - end of November
Nara 1/2. Quite an easy mountain, and has public transport access but not the greatest (I drove). Pair together with Mt Omine.
When to climb July - October
Hokkaido 4/9. One of the longer Hokkaido hikes. With public transport, will need to spend the night near the start of the trail at a hut or hotel, or camp near the peak in the middle of bear country.
When to climb April to November
Kyushu 3/6. A still-active volcano which frequently gets closed off, so check before you go.
When to climb late July - late September
Part of the Northern Alps. Can be combined with Mt Suisho as part of a 3 (or 4) day hike.
When to climb March - May, July - August
The tallest mountain in Kyushu, on the island of Yakushima. We did a 3-day hike staying at unmanned huts on the trail.
When to climb March - Jan
A very hort 1.6km hike east of Lake Yamanakako, offering some superb views of Mt Fuji.
When to climb April - December
The highest mountain in Tokyo. The standard 20km course is overnight and the trail is long, but if you're fast a day hike is possible.
When to climb Year-round
A hike across a series of low-lying mountains next to the city of Numazu and Suruga bay.
When to climb April - December
A straightforward hike with good views of Mt Fuji. The hike up to Mt Imakura is 80% of the climbing you'll do for this course, so once you've reached this peak it's smooth sailing from here.
When to climb October - January, March - May
One of the mountains right next to Lake Yamanaka-ko, giving you a great opportunity to see Mt Fuji up close.
When to climb April - December
One of the most accessible mountains in the Southern Alps, famous for its sandy summit
When to climb Mid-April - December
Short course, easily accessible from Tokyo, and great views of Mt Fuji if you are lucky.
When to climb April - May, October - December
The course is long at 18km, but well-maintained with lots of stairs and rest huts, and easy access from Tokyo. Can split it up into an overnight hike with a stay at one of the huts.
A little outing to a mountain range west of Kunming city in Yunnan, China
Shikoku 1/2. Access via Matsuyama airport or Shinkansen. Accounting for travel time, may need up to 4 days to climb both Shikoku mountains if you are coming from Tokyo.
Oze National Park 3/3. 4 hour drive from Tokyo or overnight train. Can pair with the other Oze hikes or also with the Nikko hikes.
The easiest mountain in the Northern Alps, and home of the highest bus stop in Japan. Can pair with Mt Ontake or Kamikochi / Mt Yake for a weekend trip.
Nara 2/2. Will need to make it into an overnight hike (mountain hut available) if you want to take public transport, but possible as a day hike via car.
Hokkaido 2/9. In Daisetsuzan National Park. Tallest mountain in Hokkaido, but also with the best public transport access.
Hokkaido 3/9. The course is not too long, with stunning views into the crater's yellow lake. Unfortunately no public transport access.
Hokkaido 1/9. Has a stream-climbing portion for the adventurous, but also an alternate course. Unfortunately will require car or taxi to the trailhead.
Kyushu 5/6. The second-lowest elevation hyakumeizan, climbable for many months of the year.
Most popularly climbed as a snow hike in the winter, in which case there is public transport access and the course time is shortened to 3.5 hours. The 6.5h summer course does have a portion of chain-climbing over a steep rock-face.
A gorgeous introduction to the Chuo Alps, with the highest ropeway station in Japan. The closest you can get 3000m on a day trip hike from Tokyo.
A bit on the harder side as a day trip, with a 3.5 hour drive from Tokyo, but the course was easier than I expected as the elevation gain is not too steep. Taking public transport will require you to spend the night at the mountain hut.
Can do as a very expensive day trip via Shinkasen access to Yamagata station. Is right next to the popular Zao Onsen town.
The only hyakumeizan in Fukui. The nearest mountains you could drive to are Mt Ibuki, Mt Ena and Mt Haku, although none of them are that close.
Day trip access (albeit expensive) via Shinkansen to Maibara station. As of 2024, the main hiking trail is closed. Instead you can drive (or take a bus in the summer season) to right near the peak.
Kyushu 1/6. If you had to skip one of the Kyushu hyakumeizan, it would have to be this one. Public transport access will take the course time up to 7.5h.
This one's all one its own in Tottori prefecture. You'll probably take a plane to Tottori airport, climb this one and then fly back home.
Stunning scenery if you like volcanoes. Courses vary from 1.5h to 6.5h depending on if you use the ropeway.
No public transport access, but quite a short hike so doable if you have a car. The summit is a huge field of rocks.
The bus timings are a bit dicey, so it might be better as an overnight hike if you want to take your time. But I found it to be quite doable as a daytrip with public transport. Since it's low-elevation you can climb it earlier than other hyakumeizans.
Is one of the rare few hyakumeizans near the ocean, although its views aren't too great due to the tree cover. With its low elevation, can be climbed in the off-season.
Although the course distance is short, it is deceptively hard as there are some steep climbs. Can be combined with the nearby Mt Kinpu as an overnight camping trip.
Fukushima 1/3. Accessible as an expensive day hike from Tokyo thanks to the Shinkansen. Recommending pairing with another Fukushima mountain. Very popular in the autumn season.
Day trip accessible via Shinkansen to Ueda station and then a local bus. Course can be as short as 3.5h by car, but with public transport expect it to take 7 - 8 hours. The best part of this hike is seeing the neighbouring peak of Mt Neko.
The lowest elevation mountain in the hyakumeizan, and a good beginner-friendly intro. Standard course is 4h.