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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 planningDay hikesTrails that fit into a travel dayKumano Kodo guideStart with the strongest guide content
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20 trails found

Trail results

Mt. Zao (Okama Crater) - Day Hike
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Mt. Zao (Okama Crater)

Day Hike

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

Tohoku5km2.5h300m
Moderate
Kamikochi to Myojin Pond - Day Hike
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Kamikochi to Myojin Pond

Day Hike

Scenic 6km round-trip hike from Kappa Bridge to Myojin Pond in Kamikochi. Easy difficulty, 2-3 hours. Crystal-clear pond with mountain views.

Chubu10km3.5h150m
Moderate
Mt. Moiwa - Day Hike
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Mt. Moiwa

Day Hike

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

Hokkaido5km2.5h500m
Easy
Mt. Ibuki - Day Hike
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Mt. Ibuki

Day Hike

Tallest mountain in Shiga Prefecture with alpine meadows and panoramic views.

Kansai8km6h1150m
Moderate
Mt. Ishizuchi - Day Hike
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Mt. Ishizuchi

Day Hike

Highest peak in western Japan with sacred chains and dramatic ridges.

Shikoku9km6h1000m
Moderate
Mt. Takao - Day Hike
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Mt. Takao

Day Hike

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

Kanto7km3h400m
Easy
Mt. Tsukuba - Day Hike
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Mt. Tsukuba

Day Hike

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

Kanto6km3.5h610m
Easy
Mt. Mitake - Day Hike
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Mt. Mitake

Day Hike

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

Kanto8km4h450m
Easy
Nokogiriyama - Day Hike
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Nokogiriyama

Day Hike

Unique saw-toothed mountain in Chiba with a cliff lookout and giant Buddha carving.

Kanto5.5km3h330m
Moderate
Mt. Oyama - Day Hike
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Mt. Oyama

Day Hike

Historic pilgrimage mountain in Kanagawa with shrine and tofu cuisine.

Kanto7.5km4.5h680m
Moderate
Mt. Kaimon - Day Hike
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Mt. Kaimon

Day Hike

Perfectly conical volcano at the southern tip of Kyushu, known as Satsuma Fuji.

Kyushu8km5h830m
Moderate
Mt. Aso Nakadake - Day Hike
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Mt. Aso Nakadake

Day Hike

Active volcanic crater hike in the world's largest caldera.

Kyushu6km3h350m
Moderate
Mt. Daisen - Day Hike
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Mt. Daisen

Day Hike

The tallest peak in the Chugoku region, known as Hoki Fuji.

Chugoku7km5.5h900m
Moderate
Mt. Rokko - Day Hike
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Mt. Rokko

Day Hike

Popular Kobe day hike with city and sea views, birthplace of Japanese mountaineering.

Kansai12km5h850m
Moderate
Mt. Hiei - Day Hike
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Mt. Hiei

Day Hike

Sacred mountain between Kyoto and Shiga, home to Enryakuji Temple.

Kansai10km4.5h700m
Moderate
Mt. Tanigawa - Day Hike
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Mt. Tanigawa

Day Hike

Iconic Gunma peak known for dramatic ridgelines and challenging weather.

Kanto8km6.5h1100m
Difficult
Mt. Yoshino - Day Hike
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Mt. Yoshino

Day Hike

Famous cherry blossom mountain in Nara with 30,000 trees and historic temples.

Kansai9km4h500m
Easy
Mt. Asahidake - Day Hike
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Mt. Asahidake

Day Hike

Hokkaido's highest peak with volcanic landscape and earliest autumn colors in Japan.

Hokkaido10km6h700m
Moderate
Mt. Gassan - Day Hike
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Mt. Gassan

Day Hike

One of Dewa Sanzan, sacred peak in Yamagata with alpine marshes.

Tohoku8.5km5h600m
Moderate
Mt. Kirishima (Takachiho-no-mine) - Day Hike
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Mt. Kirishima (Takachiho-no-mine)

Day Hike

Mythical peak where the gods descended, with a bronze spear at the summit.

Kyushu6km4h600m
Easy