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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

70 trails found

Trail results

Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage (Highlights) - Pilgrimage

Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage (Highlights)

Selected mountain sections of Japan's most famous 1,200 km pilgrimage circuit.

Shikoku50km40h3000m

Kumano Kodo (Nakahechi) - Pilgrimage

Kumano Kodo (Nakahechi)

UNESCO World Heritage pilgrimage route through the mountains of the Kii Peninsula.

Kansai38km18h2000m

Jomon Sugi Trail - Nature Walk

Jomon Sugi Trail

Full-day trek to Yakushima's 7,200-year-old Jomon Cedar through ancient forest.

Kyushu22km10h700m

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

Mt. Aino-dake - Alpine

Mt. Aino-dake

Japan's fourth highest peak connecting Kitadake and Noutoridake.

Chubu28km18h2200m

Shiomi-dake - Alpine

Shiomi-dake

Remote Southern Alps peak with sweeping views of Mt. Fuji and the Southern Alps.

Chubu24km16h1800m

Daikiretto Traverse - Alpine

Daikiretto Traverse

Japan's most famous knife-edge ridge connecting Minami-dake and Kitahotaka.

Chubu12km10h1200m

Oku-Hotaka - Alpine

Oku-Hotaka

Third highest peak in Japan with technical scrambling in the Northern Alps.

Chubu25km16h1900m

Mt. Zao (Okama Crater) - Day Hike

Mt. Zao (Okama Crater)

Famous caldera lake hike in Yamagata/Miyagi with emerald crater lake.

Tohoku5km2.5h300m

Mt. Koya Choishi-michi - Pilgrimage

Mt. Koya Choishi-michi

Ancient stone-marker trail to the sacred Buddhist mountaintop of Koyasan.

Kansai24km7h850m

Oirase Stream Trail - Nature Walk

Oirase Stream Trail

Scenic streamside walk in Aomori alongside waterfalls and moss-covered rocks.

Tohoku14km4.5h200m

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

Shirahama to Sandanbeki - Coastal

Shirahama to Sandanbeki

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

Kansai5km2h100m

Diamond Trail - Other

Diamond Trail

Long-distance trail connecting Katsuragi, Kongo, and Nijo mountains in Osaka.

Kansai45km16h2500m

Mt. Moiwa - Day Hike

Mt. Moiwa

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

Hokkaido5km2.5h500m

Mt. Rokko - Day Hike

Mt. Rokko

Classic Kobe day hike linking forested slopes, city viewpoints, and the Rokko ridge above Osaka Bay.

Kansai12km5h850m

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