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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

Kobe and Izu day-hike picks

Mount Rokko Hyogo hikeKobe access, moderate routes, city views, and Arima Onsen planningJogasaki Coast Shizuoka hikeIzu coastal cliffs, Kadowaki bridge, rail access, and onsen add-onsTateyama 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 hikesMulti-day treksPilgrimage trailsNature walksAlpine routesCoastal hikes

Region

HokkaidoTohoku
1

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Kanto
Chubu
Kansai
Chugoku
Shikoku
Kyushu
Okinawa

How we review trails

5 trails found

Trail results

Nakasendo Trail (Magome to Tsumago) - Other
View details

Nakasendo Trail (Magome to Tsumago)

Other

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

Chubu8km3h300m
Easy
Manyo Botanical Walk (Kasuga Primeval Forest) - Other
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Manyo Botanical Walk (Kasuga Primeval Forest)

Other

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

Kansai9km3h300m
Easy
Tsukuba Mountain Ridge Trail - Other
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Tsukuba Mountain Ridge Trail

Other

Ridge trail connecting multiple peaks along the Tsukuba mountain range.

Kanto25km10h1200m
Moderate
Philosopher's Path - Other
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Philosopher's Path

Other

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

Kansai2km0.5h20m
Easy
Diamond Trail - Other
View details

Diamond Trail

Other

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

Kansai45km16h2500m
Moderate