Introduction

Major Japanese cities like Tokyo and Osaka have a real dearth of public green spaces; no number of potted plants can make up for the fact that these urban areas have more concrete than tree cover. 

Fortunately, the rest of Japan isn’t quite so bleak. 70% of the country’s land mass is mountainous, much of it volcanic. Aside from the gorgeous scenery this entails, this gifts us with a glut of hot springs as well as a dense network of hiking trails, rich and varied in their geography and geology.

There are quite literally hundreds of hiking and walking trails across the country. Some, like the Nakasendo and the Tokaido, are notable for their historical importance as highways connecting Edo and Kyoto. Others like the UNESCO-recognised Kumano Kodo are well-preserved pilgrimages; yet others, such as the Michinoku Coastal Trail and the Amatomi Trail, are newer additions to the nationwide network of long trails. 

The following hikes across Japan are all doable in a single day — unless you choose to combine a number of trails — and range from a few hours of strolling to a full day of climbing. As they’re relatively short, it’s easy to include them as part of a longer itinerary, and are gorgeous introductions to the diverse natural landscapes of Japan. If nothing else, they’re fantastic as an active reprieve from life in the concrete jungle.

Jogasaki Coast, Izu Peninsula

With its impressive coastline of jagged volcanic rock, windswept pine forest, and views of the electric blue Sagaminada Sea, the 10km-long Jogasaki Kaigan trail is a fine introduction to the mountainous landscapes of the Izu Peninsula. It’s a two-hour train ride from central Tokyo, making it a popular choice with day trippers. While the most-visited (and most-photographed) section is the Kadowazaki Suspension Bridge, it’s worth taking a few hours to meander along the entire trail to see the columnar jointed rocks up close, and explore the various coves and tidepools dotting the inlets en route.

Tonomine Highlands, Hyogo

Come autumn, the rolling pampas grass-blanketed hills of the Tonomine Highlands transform into a shimmering sea of gold and silver, with nary a tall building or telephone pole in sight––little wonder filmmakers chose this plateau as one of the settings for the movie adaptation of Norwegian Wood. It’s equally stunning in early March, when the hills are set ablaze to encourage new grass to grow. Meander your way across a series of looping trails, and stay till it’s dark if you can. Zero light interference on the highlands means perfectly starry skies on clear nights.

Hatonosu Valley, Tokyo

Need a quick escape from the downtown crowds of Tokyo? Hop on a westbound train to Okutama for a walk along the Otama Trail in Hatonosu Valley, popular with local weekend hikers. An initial, deceptively urban start on asphalt quickly gives way to verdant footpaths and babbling brooks, and at 8km on gentle terrain is doable for just about anyone. Try bathing in the cold, clear river during the summer months––don’t let your glasses get washed away––and consider a post-hike sip of sake at Sawanoi, a local brewery that’s just a 20-minute train ride from the end of the trail at Okutama Station. 

Rebun Island, Hokkaido

Though it’s some 60km away from the northern tip of Hokkaido, travelling to Rebun Island is well worth the trouble, rewarding nature lovers with scenic walking courses and slopes blanketed in indigenous flowering plants unique to the island. Wend your way around the capes, marvel at the rugged rock formations along the Momoiwa Trail­­––calling to mind landscapes from the Faroe Islands––or ramble across undulating hills reminiscent of the English countryside. This ‘floating island of flowers’ is best visited during the mild summer months; the occasional foggy spell only adds to the allure. Keep an eye out for the rare, balloon-like Rebun Lady’s Slipper Orchard.

Mount Gassan, Yamagata

The Dewa Sanzan or ‘three mountains of Dewa’ are famed for being a center of Shugendo, whose white-clad practitioners undergo rigorous, ascetic training as expressions of religious devotion and physical endurance. Of the three mountains, Mount Gassan is the tallest at 1984m, and is an enjoyable hike in summer. The most popular trail up to the shrine begins at Midagahara Wetlands, its tame boardwalks giving way to rocky, exposed trails surrounded by rippling fields of alpine grass. Visitors may be lucky enough to encounter Shugendo worshippers en route! They must also undergo a short purification ritual before entering the shrine, and thru-hikers can then continue onward to neighbouring Mount Yudono.

Oirase Gorge, Aomori

Travelling to Oirase Gorge is well worth the trouble: this lush, moss-blanketed river valley dotted with waterfalls merits the description of ‘magical’ without exaggeration. The deciduous forest––oak, maple, cypress, beech––is stunning in autumn, and a pleasure to be in year-round. Though you can cycle on the road alongside, walking all 14km from Yakeyama to Nenokuchi at Lake Towada is the best way to experience the gorge. Plus, winter snowshoeing past frozen waterfalls here is, well, magical. 

Shiretoko Five Lakes, East Hokkaido

Said to resemble the five fingerprints of a god, the Shiretoko Five Lakes is a fine introduction to the unspoiled beauty of the Shiretoko Peninsula, an official UNESCO World Heritage Site. VIsitors can choose to view the first lake for free by walking the wheelchair-accessible, 800m-long elevated boardwalk, or pay a small fee to stroll the 3km-long nature trail looping around all five lakes. Native oak and pine forests, flanked by dramatic mountain ranges beyond, make stunning reflections in the lakes. Due to bear activity in the summer months, access from May to July is available only by joining a tour.  

Mount Kintoki, Kanagawa

The problem with hiking up Mount Fuji is that you can’t see Mount Fuji––but climbing to the top of Mount Kintoki offers splendid panoramic vistas, including a full-frontal view of Japan’s iconic snow-capped mountain in sunny weather. Mt. Kintoki is also associated with the legend of Kintaro the ‘Golden Boy,’ a folklore figure with superhuman strength. Open year-round, multiple trails lead to the 1213m-tall peak; most are novice-friendly, though the Sengoku trail is particularly steep and demands proper hiking shoes. Cap your climb with a bowl of noodles at the teahouse up top. 

Mount Hiei, Kyoto

Strap on your hiking boots and escape the downtown crowds by hiking up the 848m-tall Mt. Hiei, popular with local weekend hikers. With its geomantically auspicious location in the northeast, the presence of Mt. Hiei was one of the principal reasons for the founding of Kyoto in 794. Beginning from Shugakuin, the initial climb through deciduous forest is short but stiff, and a few hours of hiking to the top rewards you with spectacular views of the city en route, as well as access to Enryakuji, an impressive, sprawling temple complex. Ride the cable car down to give your knees a rest. 

Mount Bandai, Fukushima

Once known as Iwahashi-yama––literally ‘the rock ladder to the heavens’––the 1816 metre-tall Mt. Bandai cuts a dramatic figure, towering over the glassy blue Lake Inawashiro below. Celebrated in a famous, local folk song, the mountain’s distinctive appearance was caused by an explosive volcanic eruption in 1888. Fortunately, ‘Aizu’s Mt. Fuji’ is dormant today. From the gentler Happodai trail to the steep, rocky Shibuya trail, any of 7 routes will reward you with beautiful panoramic vistas of the Bandai Plateau. Casual walkers may prefer the less strenuous Goshikinuma Walk, a 3.6km-long trail looping around several brilliantly-hued ponds north of Mt. Bandai.

Post-hike, soak your limbs in the hot springs at Numajiri Kogen Lodge. This cozy lodge was previously operated by Fukushima native Junko Tabei––the first woman to climb Mt. Everest––and is an excellent base for hiking in the surrounding mountains. 

Kyushu Olle, Kyushu

A nod to the original Jeju Olle Trail in South Korea, the Kyushu Olle is a series of 21 walking trails dotted throughout the largest southern island in Japan, most of which are scenic rambles through the countryside. The Okubungo Course in Oita is a particularly fun mix of nature, history, and culture: you’ll tramp through the gorgeous Yujuku Park and the remains of Oka Castle, then descend into Taketa, a historical hidden Christian stronghold which today has a handful of craft shops, teahouses, and cafes to visit. Bonus: Oita is the undisputed hot spring capital of Japan––it’s the perfect way to end a long walking day.

Senjogahara Plateau Nature Trail, Tochigi

Nikko is popular with day trippers from Tokyo, but venturing further into its national park rewards the visitor with lakes, waterfalls, and stunning mountainous landscapes. One of the prettiest, most beginner-friendly trails here is the Senjogahara Plateau Nature Trail. Wend your way along the Yukawa River on elevated boardwalks through a grassy marshland dotted with larch trees––brilliant tangerine and gold in autumn––to Lake Yunoko, which is fed by sulphurous hot spring water. In winter, strap on some crampons for an even more magical walk.