hikes
Mt Jinba to Mt Takao traverse hike
28 Jan
21 January 2026
I’ll admit I used to be a big fan of being able to sleep in my own bed at the end of a long day’s hike, and I shied away from doing any sort of overnight hiking, As I got stuck into checking off the Hundred Famous Mountains of Japan however, I found that some hikes were too long to be done in a day, and so I reluctantly decided to give it a go… and actually, now I find that I enjoy it!
Some of the mountains I have actually done as (very long) day hikes, but realistically speaking are best done as overnight hikes, so I have still also included them below.
2-day hikes near Tokyo
If you’re looking to stay close to Tokyo, or want an overnight hike you can do outside of the summer period, I would recommend two mountains:
- Mt Kumotori: Tokyo’s tallest peak. It comes with an 20km-long course with a mountain hut at the peak. The trail is long, but quite smooth so I would say makes for some great walking with a heavier pack.
- Mt Tanzawa: A great mountain with a Fuji view in Kanagawa. There are plenty of mountain hut options along the way to take a break. You can also extend your hike out to the neighbouring Mt Hirugatake, or continue your hike out the other side to the Nishi-Tanzawa Visitor Centre.
I would also recommend both of these mountains for beginners or solo hikers - they are major peaks that get quite a lot of hikers, and generally I feel a bit more safe when there are other people about on the trail.
More 2-day hikes in Japan
Beyond Tokyo, my two other favourites so far have been:
- Mt Aka and the Yatsugatake range: such a stunning mountain! It’s a little bit closer than the Japanese Alps to Tokyo, but still makes for a very cool Alps-like hike in its own right.
- Mt Shibutsu and/or Mt Hiuchigatake in Oze National Park. Both of these mountains can be hiked individually, but they’re connected by the Oze Marsh which spreads out in between them. You can hike one mountain, spend the night down at the marsh, and (optionally) hike the other.
Other notable mentions include:
- Mt Mizugaki and Mt Kinpu, which can be combined as a 2-day hike in Yamanashi. Mt Mizugaki is known for its very, very steep climb to the summit.
- Mt Hiuchi and Mt Myoko: I did find the climb up to Mt Hiuchi a little tricky, but you can do Mt Myoko by itself with a hut stay for a more relaxed overnight hike as well
2-day hikes in the Japanese Alps
The Japanese Alps have some of the best hiking scenery, and are very popular for overnight hikes in summer. Mt Jonen is one of the peaks located on the southern side of the Northern Alps, which makes it a little more accessible (only 1 hour’s drive from Matsumoto city).
In the Southern Alps, Mt Kita and Mt Aino are Japan’s second and third tallest mountains respectively and can be combined as a 2-day hike. Similarly, Mt Senjo and Mt Kaikoma in the Southern Alps can be combined as a 2-day hike with a hut stay in betweeen.
3-day hikes in Japan
If you’re up for the challenge, there’s options to do longer hikes, especially in the Northern Alps. The possibilities for hiking are really endless here, but I’ve done two so far:
The Nothern Alps especially have good access from Tokyo via highway buses that take you directly to the trailhead. The only thing you’ll need to worry about is getting clear weather for 3 days!
And speaking of bad weather, you can also head down to the very rainy Yakushima island and do a 3-day traverse to climb its highest peak, Mt Miyanoura. All the mountain huts on the island are unmanned, so it makes for a little bit of a “wilder” experience - albeit it is a pretty popular hike so you will still pass plenty of people about.
See all of my multi-day hikes below
Nagano / Yamanashi2967m
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.
Nagano / Yamanashi3033m
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.
Yamanashi3193m
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.
Niigata2454m
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.
Gifu / Nagano3180m
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.
Nagano2857m
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.
Fukushima2356m
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.
Nagano / Yamanashi2899m
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.
Gunma2228m
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.
Kagoshima1936m
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.
Tokyo / Saitama / Yamanashi2017m
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.
Kanagawa / Yamanashi1567m
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.
Yamanashi2230m
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.
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