A Guide to Japan's Hiking

Hiking is probably one of the best ways to get close to nature. Whether it's a long trek for more than ten days or a short walk for a day or two, you can feel healed in a mountain lake or on an ancient forest road, where you can easily find those places in Japan. Japan is a great place for outdoor sports, especially hiking. You can walk along the scenic road and enjoy the scenery while relaxing your body with moderate exercise. Travel to Japan and experience the charm of hiking for yourself.

What Are the Best Places to Hike？

Mount Fuji

If you are a professional mountain climber, Mount Fuji must be on your list. But if you are just a novice climber, you can conquer Mount Fuji as long as you do enough preparation!

Mount Fuji is a Japanese calling card that contains natural verve and a sense of sacredness, and she is adored by the Japanese people like a princess. Maybe you have seen her face, maybe you have her pictures in your camera, maybe you have soaked in the hot spring at her feet. But the most "intimate" way is to personally measure her height with your feet. Throughout the summer, Mount Fuji stood there to meet the worship of climbers. In just two months every year, it attracts nearly 250 thousand people to see her beauty.

There are four main routes on Mount Fuji. The northernmost is the "Yoshida Route", from which there is the "Suwa Route", the "Gotemba Route" and the "Fujinomiya Route" in a clockwise direction. If it is your first time climbing Mount Fuji, the "Yoshida Route" and "Fujinomiya Route" will be your best choices. There are many rest stops along these two routes and the distances are relatively short. In the event of an accident, there are also aid stations, so even if you are a novice, you can walk with confidence. The Yoshida route has the longest history and takes about 8.5 hours on foot. The Fujinomiya route, on the other hand, has a round-trip distance of 10 km and takes about 7.5 hours on foot. If you are an experienced climber, you can choose to challenge the Gotemba Route. This route has a long distance and a large altitude difference, so climbers need to have strong physical fitness and rich mountaineering experience. The round-trip distance of this route is 17 km and the walking time is about 10.5 hours. When you reach the top with your own strong perseverance, the view from the top will not let you down. Generally, sunrise on Mt. Fuji in summer is between 3:30-4:30, so you can set your departure time according to the route you choose. If you need to climb Mt. Fuji at night, a flashlight and headlamp are essential equipment. The body temperature on the top of the mountain is low and there are many strong winds, so you also need to prepare cold and rainproof equipment. And sunrise at the top of the mountain is the best reward for the brave climbers of Mount Fuji.

Mount Fuji

Kumano Kodo

Hiking the Kumano Kodo is one of the most direct and effective ways to experience Japanese Shinto culture and Buddhist beliefs. It is listed as a pilgrimage route on the World Heritage List and can be considered a global model in terms of cultural heritage conservation and ecological protection.

Kumano Kodo is not a trail, but a road network, which shuttles between the Kii Mountains, where forests are everywhere. Its total distance is more than a thousand kilometers, so obviously you can't walk the whole way. You can choose a hiking route according to your own preferences. There are five routes on the Kumano Kodo, of which the most popular is the Nakahechi. In the past, it was the road where the royal family and nobles came from Kyoto to pay homage, but nowadays it is a popular hiking route for tourists from all over the world. The starting point of this route is Hosshinmon-oji. Near here is a stone monument with the World Heritage Nakahechi inscribed on it, and you can take a photo with it. It passes Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine, Kumano Sutama Taisha Shrine, and Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine, so you can feel the majesty and sacredness of the three shrines yourself. Other than that, the route is relatively flat and the elevation is not too high. If you are a novice hiker and want to see the best of the Kumano Kodo in a limited amount of time, then this route couldn't be better for you. Most of the routes are deep into the dense forest, so most of your hiking time would be spent keeping company with the towering primeval trees along the trail. Kumano Kodo is a comprehensive route with natural, cultural, historical and tourist values. Like all the ancient pilgrimage routes in the world, the Kumano Kodo has spread and grown through time, but miraculously looks almost the same as it did thousands of years ago. Whether among the dense forests or among the shrines, the natural ecology there has been nourished and baptized by religious culture for thousands of years, and it all seems harmonious and natural. When you stroll through the Kumano Kodo, pass the little shrine nearby and stay in nature, your soul will be inspired by nature and purified. Have a heart of awe and care for nature, which should be the greatest gain and humanistic spirit when crossing Kumano Kodo. If you love hiking, you will definitely resonate there.

Kumano Kodo

Yaku-Shima Island

Yakushima belongs to Kagoshima Prefecture and is the first Japanese World Heritage Site to be recognized by UNESCO. From the beach to the mountains, Yakushima has a changeable climate from the subtropical zone to the sub-frigid zone. The variety of species created by such a natural environment is shocking. When you step into this mysterious place, it seems that you have entered a secret world outside the world.

The forest is the largest theme of Yakushima, and 90% of the island is covered by verdant forests. The hiking trails here range from one hour to six hours, so you can choose the route according to your hiking level, and be sure to do it within your means. If you are a novice hiker and a botanical lover, then Yakusugi Forest Park couldn't be more suitable for you. It is a forest park full of old cedar trees, and you can see different kinds of trees everywhere along the way, some of which are more than 1,000 years old. The hiking trails are relatively flat and the park has thoughtfully planned four hiking trails of 30, 50, 80 and 150 minutes, respectively. This forest park is suitable for all ages and you can see Yakushima cedar in its original form. If you are a very experienced hiker, you can choose the six-hour round-trip route to the summit. On the way, you can see more than 700 kinds of mosses covering the rocks and the ground is like a green velvet carpet. You must remember to bring water and food, there are almost no stores along the way to provide you with supplies. When you walk on the native forest walking path, it creates a feeling of being lost in an otherworldly world, as if you have entered a fairy tale. If you are a photography enthusiast and have some trekking experience, then the majestic waterfall can surely be your first choice. The starting point of the route is located in the Onoaida Onsen and covers a distance of about 4 km. The steep terrain at high altitudes, combined with abundant rainfall, has created Yakushima Island's numerous waterfalls. However, this route is higher in elevation and more slippery, so if you are a novice, it is recommended that you safely choose the previously mentioned route. But when you choose this road, you will be shocked by the waterfall you see. The water flies down from the 88-meter cliff, and you can even get close to the front of the waterfall pool and feel the excitement of splashing water at close range. If you want to experience the tranquility and mystery of the old forest, add Yakushima to your itinerary!

Rebun Island

Rebun Island is located in the northernmost part of Japan, and it is a long and narrow island with beautiful scenery. The whole island is covered with thick meadows and colorful flowers that decorate every corner of the island, making it famous as the "floating island of flowers". It is a peculiar phenomenon here that Rebun Island is basically an island with zero elevation, yet it has a full range of alpine plant ecosystems. With more than 300 species of alpine plants, you don't need to climb the mountain to see the alpine plants that can be seen only at an altitude of 1500 to 2000 meters. If you are an alpine plant lover, then you can't miss this island.

There are several hiking trails that crisscross this floating island of flowers. You can choose the right route according to your time and experience. There are both walking routes for beginners to roam on foot for about 2 hours and hiking routes for experienced hikers for about 8 hours. There is more than one 2-hour route. The first route can be described as a treasure trove of alpine plants. There are countless views on this route and you can enjoy most of the flowers that bloom on the island. However, the strong winds and fog are heavy here, so extra care is needed. If you want to choose another route, you may need to have strong physical fitness because you need to climb mountains. Not only can you enjoy the alpine plants along the route, but you can also enjoy the magnificent 360-degree panoramic view from the top of the mountain at an altitude of 490m. The 8-hour route is the longest route on the island, with a total length of about 17 kilometers from the south end of the island to the north end. This route offers not only flower viewing but also majestic views. However, there are few villages for rest on this route, and you need to be well-prepared before you set out.

Imagine yourself standing in the northernmost part of Hokkaido, listening to the wind, walking through the flowers, and enjoying the gifts that nature gives you, as the lonely and beautiful floating islands of flowers wait to meet you.

When is the Best Time to Go Hiking？

Japan has a temperate maritime monsoon climate. It is hot and rainy in summer and cold and dry in the winter, with four distinct seasons. Spring and autumn are good times to go hiking in Japan. At this time, the weather is sunny and the temperature is mild. But the exact time needs to be determined according to your destination.

If you want to go to Kumano Kodo, you can choose between spring and autumn. In summer, it rains a lot and the forest surrounding Kumano Kodo is one of the wettest areas in Japan, with a slippery road that is not very friendly for inexperienced hikers.

Yakushima, with its rich nature, is worth visiting for its four seasons, each presenting a different flavor. If you are a very experienced hiker, you can choose to go to Yakushima from May to June or from November to January. The number of tourists is low during this period, so you can avoid the large crowds and enjoy the quiet forest alone. However, the weather is also more extreme at this time, so if you are a beginner hiker, it is advisable to choose the spring and autumn seasons conservatively to visit Yakushima.

If you want to climb Mount Fuji, you can only go to Japan in July and August. Because Mt. Fuji is close to climbing in other seasons, if you want to conquer it, you must hold on to the opportunity of these two months. And the total number of strong typhoons will increase in August, so it is highly recommended to climb Mount Fuji in mid-to-late July.

April to September can be the best time to go hiking on Rebun Island. This is the best time to enjoy the flowers, and you can see the mountains of flowers in all their splendor! The weather is also very sunny at this time, so you can take pictures with the flowers as you wish.

Kumano Kodo in Autumn

Are There Any Hiking Tips That I Should Be Aware of？

Equipment

First of all, hiking clothes are necessary to prepare in advance. For example, long-sleeved quick-drying clothes and pants, hiking shoes, walking poles and knee pads, etc. If you plan to climb the mountain, you also need to bring a jacket; usually, the temperature at the top of the mountain is lower.

Secondly, you need to prepare different items according to different climates. For example, you need to prepare sunglasses, gloves, hats and sunscreen to cope with the hot weather. In addition, you also need to bring rain gear or a raincoat to deal with rainy days.

More than that, you need to prepare some food and drinks. During the hike, you may encounter a situation where there is no convenience store, so a good supply of water and snacks can really give you a boost of energy at a critical time.

Finally, you need to prepare some medication in advance in case of an injury. Band-aids and plasters can prevent foot rubbing. And cold medicine and gastrointestinal medicine are also necessary.

Payment

Most of the rest stops on the trek do not allow credit cards and you can only pay in cash, so it is recommended that you bring plenty of cash. In addition, some public toilets may require small changes to pay. So prepare some small changes just in case.

Safety

Outdoor activities are risky and you should always be in awe of nature. You must be well prepared before your trip, including in terms of physical training, equipment, knowledge of mountaineering or hiking and especially outdoor risk management. If you are not physically able to do so or if the weather deteriorates, it would be wise to bravely withdraw or take refuge. No matter what outdoor sports you do, please make sure you put safety first and returning safely is most important.

When you are plagued by the haze and noise of the city, the mountains and the wilderness, where steel, concrete and electronics are not used, are especially precious. Whether it is the sacred Kumano Kodo, the mysterious Yaku-Shima Island, the enchanting Mount Fuji, or the plant-strewn Rebun Island, you can get away from the city and experience life differently. You can breathe fresh air and relax your mind and body there. Traveling with Odynovo, you can measure the beauty of Japan with your footsteps!