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Hiking Trails in Japan

Day hikes, multi-day treks, pilgrimages, and alpine routes across Japan

From sacred pilgrimages along the Kumano Kodo to alpine traverses in the Japanese Alps, Japan offers some of Asia's most rewarding hiking experiences. The country's 70% mountain terrain means trails range from gentle forest walks near hot spring towns to challenging multi-day ridge routes above 3,000 meters. Our trail database includes difficulty ratings, elevation profiles, estimated duration, trailhead access, and seasonal conditions. Whether you're planning a weekend day hike near Tokyo or a week-long trek through the Northern Alps, filter by difficulty, type, and region to find your perfect trail.

Easy hikesLower effort routes for first-time planning Day hikesTrails that fit into a travel day Kumano Kodo guideStart with the strongest guide content

Kobe and Izu day-hike picks

Mount Rokko Hyogo hikeKobe access, moderate routes, city views, and Arima Onsen planning Jogasaki Coast Shizuoka hikeIzu coastal cliffs, Kadowaki bridge, rail access, and onsen add-ons Tateyama to Kamikochi TraverseNorthern Alps route timing, hut reservations, season, difficulty, and exits

Browse by trail type and region

Open focused landing pages for day hikes, pilgrimages, alpine routes, coastal trails, and each major region in Japan.

Trail type

Day hikes Multi-day treks Pilgrimage trails Nature walks Alpine routes Coastal hikes

Region

Hokkaido Tohoku

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How we review trails

23 trails found

Trail results

Nakasendo Trail (Magome to Tsumago) - Other

Nakasendo Trail (Magome to Tsumago)

Historic post town walk along the Edo-era Nakasendo highway through the Kiso Valley.

Manyo Botanical Walk (Kasuga Primeval Forest) - Other

Manyo Botanical Walk (Kasuga Primeval Forest)

Walk through UNESCO-listed primeval forest adjacent to Nara's famous deer park.

Kansai9km3h300m

Philosopher's Path - Other

Philosopher's Path

Iconic canal-side walk in Kyoto connecting Ginkakuji and Nanzenji temples.

Kansai2km0.5h20m

Izu Geo Trail (Dogashima) - Coastal

Izu Geo Trail (Dogashima)

Geopark coastal trail with sea caves, tombolo phenomenon, and volcanic landforms.

Chubu6km2.5h150m

Shakotan Blue Trail - Coastal

Shakotan Blue Trail

Hokkaido coastal trail with stunning blue sea views along dramatic cliffs.

Hokkaido7km3h300m

Jogasaki Coast Trail - Coastal

Jogasaki Coast Trail

Scenic Izu coastal walk with lava cliffs, ocean viewpoints, pine forest paths, and the Kadowaki suspension bridge.

Dewa Sanzan Pilgrimage - Pilgrimage

Dewa Sanzan Pilgrimage

Sacred mountain pilgrimage in Yamagata visiting three holy peaks.

Tohoku10km5h600m

Tashirotai Wetland - Nature Walk

Tashirotai Wetland

Highland marshland trail near Hakkoda mountains with seasonal wildflowers.

Kamikochi Taisho Pond Walk - Nature Walk

Kamikochi Taisho Pond Walk

Flat riverside walk from Taisho Pond to Kappa Bridge with mountain views.

Chubu3.5km1h30m

Shirakami-Sanchi Anmon Falls - Nature Walk

Shirakami-Sanchi Anmon Falls

Trail through UNESCO beech forest to three cascading waterfalls.

Tohoku6km2.5h200m

Togakushi Okusha Cedar Avenue - Nature Walk

Togakushi Okusha Cedar Avenue

Majestic avenue of giant cedars leading to Togakushi Shrine's inner sanctuary.

Chubu4km1.5h100m

Shiretoko Five Lakes - Nature Walk

Shiretoko Five Lakes

Boardwalk and ground trail through pristine wetlands in Shiretoko National Park.

Hokkaido3km1.5h50m

Nikko Senjogahara Marshland - Nature Walk

Nikko Senjogahara Marshland

Elevated boardwalk through highland marshland with mountain views in Nikko.

Kanto6.5km2.5h50m

Mt. Moiwa - Day Hike

Mt. Moiwa

Sapporo's iconic city mountain with night view and nature trails.

Hokkaido5km2.5h500m

Shirahama to Sandanbeki - Coastal

Shirahama to Sandanbeki

Coastal walk in Wakayama from white sand beach to dramatic cliff formations.

Kansai5km2h100m

Yakusugi Land - Nature Walk

Yakusugi Land

Boardwalk trail through ancient cedar forest in Yakushima.

Kyushu3km1.5h100m

Iriomote Pinaisara Falls - Nature Walk

Iriomote Pinaisara Falls

Subtropical jungle trail to Okinawa's tallest waterfall on Iriomote Island.

Okinawa5km3h150m

Mt. Tsukuba - Day Hike

Mt. Tsukuba

Twin-peaked mountain in Ibaraki with panoramic views and a cable car.

Kanto6km3.5h610m

Mt. Mitake - Day Hike

Mt. Mitake

Sacred mountain in western Tokyo with a mountaintop shrine and rock garden trail.

Mt. Takao - Day Hike

Mt. Takao

Tokyo's most popular day hike with multiple trails and a summit temple.

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