An Insider's Guide to Hiking in Japan: From Gentle Nature Trails to Epic Mountain Hikes
To truly know Japan, you must venture beyond the city lights and into its stunning nature. Welcome to 47trip's guide to the best hiking in Japan. Here, we introduce premier hiking trails and nature trail options across the country, including Tokyo, Kanagawa, Aomori, and Kagoshima. We have trails and hikes suitable for all experience levels, allowing you to walk through incredible landscapes and feel Japan's history. Let's find the perfect trail for you.
Just an hour by train from central Tokyo, the 599-meter Mt. Takao is the perfect day-trip destination to casually enjoy nature. Its incredible accessibility makes it a classic hiking spot. For those not confident in their stamina, a cable car or chair lift can whisk you halfway up the mountain, making the summit easily reachable. Along the way, you can visit the 1,200-year-old Yakuoin Temple, famous as a spiritual "power spot." With trails ranging from paved paths for beginners to authentic mountain routes, you can choose a course that fits your level. After your hike, we recommend relaxing and trying the local specialty at the base of the mountain: "tororo soba" (soba noodles with grated yam).
Recommended Hotel
TAKAONE ACTIVITY＆STAY
Experience the ultimate convenience at our hotel, perfectly situated just steps from Takaosanguchi Station on the Keio Line—the direct gateway to Mt. Takao. Beyond being a convenient stay for your pre or post-hike rest, our hotel serves as an activity hub in itself, making it ideal for anyone looking to fully immerse themselves in the natural wonders of Mt. Takao.
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Keio Plaza Hotel Hachioji
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the b hachioji
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Located in Tokyo's Okutama region, the 929-meter Mt. Mitake is another popular mountain with great access from the city center, much like Mt. Takao. You can choose your own adventure: take on a challenging hike from the base or ride a cable car to near the summit for an easier route. A short walk from the cable car station brings you to the mountain's iconic feature: the mystical "Rock Garden." With pure water flowing between moss-covered rocks, it’s like stepping into an ancient Japanese folktale. After your hike, pay a visit to the historic Musashi-Mitake Shrine at the summit. For a truly unique experience, consider joining an ascetic training session, such as "Takigyo" (waterfall meditation), offered by local shukubo (temple lodgings) for an unforgettable purification of mind and body.
Recommended Hotel
HOTEL emisia TOKYO TACHIKAWA
For travelers who want the best of both worlds—epic hiking on Mt. Mitake and easy access to central Tokyo—staying in the major neighboring city of Tachikawa is a savvy choice. Located right by Tachikawa Station, this city hotel offers a direct 40-minute train ride to the station for Mt. Mitake. It perfectly blends convenience with comfort, making it an outstanding base for all your travel plans.
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Shukubo Komadori-Sanso
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KAMENOI HOTEL OME
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Hakone outer rim hiking (Kanagawa Prefecture)
The allure of hiking the Hakone Outer Rim lies in its dynamic scenery—an incredible experience of walking along the edge of a massive volcanic caldera. From the highest peak, Mt. Kintoki, you are rewarded with one of Japan's most iconic landscapes: a panoramic view of the majestic Mt. Fuji, with the town of Hakone and Lake Ashi sprawling beneath you. What truly sets Hakone apart is its vast network of 24 trails. Whether you're looking for a quick 90-minute climb up Mt. Kintoki or a challenging traverse over multiple peaks for seasoned hikers, there's a route for everyone to enjoy this breathtaking view.
Recommended Hotel
Tokinoyu Setsugetsuka
Experience an onsen ryokan with a prime location, just a one-minute walk from Gora Station. Our most beloved feature is that every single room comes with its own private open-air bath made of aromatic hinoki cypress. It's the ideal way to unwind after a day of hiking—heal your body in your own private hot spring, with no one to bother you, whenever you please.
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Hotel Green Plaza Hakone
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Odakyu Hotel de Yama Hakone Lake Side
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Oirase Stream (Aomori Prefecture)
Oirase Stream in Aomori is an enchanted world so magnificent it has been awarded two stars by the Michelin Green Guide and designated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument of Japan. Flowing 14km from Lake Towada, its path is a real-life "Waterfall Road" (Bakufu Kaido), where 14 unique waterfalls and rapids, including the dynamic "Ashura no Nagare" and the mighty Choshi Otaki, create a soothing natural soundtrack. The magic is amplified by one of Japan's most famous moss landscapes, which blankets the forest in a mystical green light. What makes this world-class destination truly special is that its otherworldly beauty is accessible to all; the walking trail is almost entirely flat, and local buses allow you to customize your stroll through this officially celebrated natural paradise.
Recommended Hotel
Towadakohan Sakura
Discover our lakeside resort hotel in the Yasumiya area, the perfect base for exploring Oirase Stream and Lake Towada. A major highlight is our recently renovated interior, offering a clean and modern atmosphere, complemented by the fact that every single guest room features a stunning view of Lake Towada. Guests also love our large public and private family baths, which feature water filtered through rare Hokutolite stone, a mineral that can no longer be mined today.
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Tsuta Onsen
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Hotel Towadaso
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Kamikochi (Nagano Prefecture)
Welcome to Kamikochi, a world-renowned scenic wonderland in the heart of the Japanese Alps, once revered as a place where gods descended. Stand on its iconic Kappa Bridge, and you'll find yourself inside a living painting: the crystal-clear Azusa River flows serenely against the backdrop of the 3,000-meter Hotaka mountain range. The true magic of Kamikochi is that despite being in a serious alpine zone, its central area is remarkably flat, allowing anyone to casually explore its beauty in just a pair of sneakers. Come and immerse yourself in the pure, sacred air of this pristine wilderness, fiercely protected by strict private car restrictions.
Recommended Hotel
Hotel Shirakaba-So
Located right beside Kamikochi's iconic Kappa Bridge, Hotel Shirakabaso offers unparalleled views from the moment you arrive. From the windows of your room and our restaurant, enjoy panoramic vistas of the majestic Hotaka Mountain Range and the crystal-clear Azusa River. To enhance your stay, we also offer exclusive nature tours for our guests, allowing you to explore Kamikochi's stunning scenery year-round with insightful commentary from a professional guide.
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Kamikochi Onsen Hotel
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Kamikochi Alpen Hotel
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Mount Kurama - Kurama Temple - Kifune Shrine (Kyoto Prefecture)
Journey into a world of myth and legend on Mt. Kurama, a popular power spot just a scenic train ride from central Kyoto on the Eizan Railway. This mountain is the fabled land where the famous Japanese hero, Minamoto no Yoshitsune, was said to have trained in martial arts with the mythical tengu (mountain spirits). We recommend hiking from Kuramadera Temple to Kifune Shrine. Along the way, you'll find the highlight of the trail: the mystical "Kinone-michi" (Path of Tree Roots), a stunningly atmospheric path where massive cedar roots snake across the ground—the very spot of Yoshitsune's legendary training. This is your chance to step directly into one of Japan's most famous tales.
Recommended Hotel
Hotel Okura Kyoto
As one of Kyoto's most prestigious hotels, we boast a rich history dating back to 1888. Our guests enjoy stunning views of the Kamo River and the Higashiyama mountains from their rooms, complemented by our acclaimed, high-quality service that has been refined over generations. For those looking to explore further afield, the hotel also offers convenient access to Kurama Station, reachable in about an hour via subway and train.
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The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike, Autograph Collection
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THE THOUSAND KYOTO
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Kumano Kodo (Wakayama Prefecture, Mie Prefecture, Nara Prefecture, Osaka Prefecture)
Walk a path so sacred that the trail itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is the Kumano Kodo, a rare "path of prayer" that has been trodden for over a thousand years by everyone from emperors to commoners. As you step on mossy cobblestones through groves of ancient cedar trees, you'll feel like a traveler journeying through time. While the network includes challenging mountain crossings, beginners can start with the popular one-hour route up the beautiful Daimon-zaka slope to Nachi Falls, one of Japan's three most famous waterfalls. At the goal, Nachisan Seigantoji Temple, you'll find the iconic, breathtaking view of Kumano: the temple's vibrant vermilion pagoda standing before the magnificent 133-meter cascade. A special hike awaits, blending solemn history with majestic nature.
Recommended Hotel
Hotel Urashima
Experience one of Kii Katsuura Onsen's premier large-scale resorts, conveniently located near the Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine and Nachi Falls. The adventure begins the moment you arrive, as our hotel occupies an entire peninsula, accessible only by a dedicated hotel ferry. In our large public baths, you can enjoy gensen kakenagashi onsen—free-flowing hot spring water direct from the source. However, the true centerpiece is our spectacular, enormous natural cave onsen, located right at the ocean's edge.
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Kumano Bettei Nakanoshima
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Kawayu Onsen Fujiya Ryokan
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Yakushima (Kagoshima Prefecture)
Step into the real-life world of a Studio Ghibli masterpiece on Yakushima Island, Japan's first UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. Located in Kagoshima, this is where you can hike through Shiratani Unsuikyo ravine, the ancient, moss-covered forest said to have inspired Hayao Miyazaki's "Princess Mononoke." It's a magical realm where every rock and tree is draped in vibrant green moss. For those seeking an epic quest, the 10-hour trek to the awe-inspiring Jomon Sugi, a cedar tree thousands of years old, offers a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. And for an easier stroll, Yakusugi Land's boardwalk trails allow you to meet majestic 1,000-year-old cedars in as little as 30 minutes. The magic of Yakushima is open to all.
Recommended Hotel
THE HOTEL YAKUSHIMA ocean & forest
Discover a luxurious auberge-style resort, ideally located on the island's southeastern coast, midway between the airport and Anbo Port. We invite you to experience a world-class fusion of epicurean delight and serene relaxation. Stay in our private villas, savor authentic French cuisine, and unwind at our full-service spa. Our renowned hospitality extends to arranging bespoke trekking and other island activities, ensuring a truly world-class stay.
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The Hotel Yakushima Ocean ＆ Forest
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samana hotel Yakushima
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Summary
In this feature, 47trip has introduced some of the most captivating hiking courses and nature trails across Japan. The silence of the forest, the spectacular views from a mountain summit, and the beauty of the changing seasons will undoubtedly make your trip to Japan special. We hope you'll use these spots as a reference when planning your next travel itinerary. A unique sense of wonder and discovery awaits—something you can only find when exploring on your own two feet.
