Amazing Japan Hiking Trips For Mountains, Lakes and Islands

Japan is the perfect destination for a hiking trip. There’s no shortage of hiking trails, whether you are looking to hike through the Japanese Alps, visit lakes, or explore subtropical islands.

Aside from its unique culture, Japan is a top destination for those who love being outdoors. You will get to embrace the strong local camping and hiking culture in Japan.

Come along on this journey as we take a look at the best Japan hiking destinations. They can range from easy cultural day hikes to challenging multi-day hiking and camping in huts.

1. Hokkaido

First on the list is everyone’s favourite destination, Hokkaido. It is easy to get around by car, and there are plenty of things to see and do all year round. Autumn is one of the best seasons to visit Hokkaido because of the colourful foliage everywhere. Hokkaido in summer is also really beautiful, with lots of flower fields and lakes to explore.

There are 6 national parks in Hokkaido, and they are all stunning in their own way. If you are looking to get out of the city and into the great outdoors, consider a hiking trip to Hokkaido.

There are also plenty of onsens here – in the ryokans, hotels, and even public onsens at campsites. You can find some of my top picks for private onsen hotels here. Wouldn’t it be great to relax your aching muscles in an onsen after a day of hiking?

Daisetsuzan National Park

Daisetsuzan is the largest national park in Hokkaido and has many hiking options ranging from moderate to harder ones. It is one of the most highly rated places to visit, and you can either embark on a multi-day hike or explore shorter day hikes.

Here you will find Mount Asahidake, also known as the roof of Hokkaido. There is a cablecar ropeway that takes you all the way up, and you can start your hikes around the mountain from the top.

You can also check out Sounkyo, an onsen village just north of Daisetsuzan National Park. From there, you can visit waterfalls Ginga and Ryusei Falls.

Best season to visit: June to October
Type of hikes: Waterfalls, alpine flowers, mountain hiking
Hike difficulty: Moderate to hard

Shiretoko National Park

You can find Shiretoko National Park on the northeastern tip of Hokkaido. If you want to go all the way to the peninsula, you will need to get on a sightseeing boat or take a multi-day hike there.

Due to its perfect balance of gorgeous terrain and wildlife preservation, Shiretoko National Park is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. You might even get to see some brown bears during your visit.

There are some easy hikes there, like the trail that leads you to Furepe waterfall, or the stunning Five Lakes.

Best season to visit: April to October
Type of hikes: Wildlife, waterfalls, lake hiking
Hike difficulty: Easy to hard

Akan National Park

If you can’t get enough of the beautiful lakes in Hokkaido, head to Akan National Park for its stunning lakes. You can also hike to the calderas which gives you a birds eye view of the surrounding. It’s amazing how volcanic activity resulted such stunning landscapes.

Lake Mashu in Akan National Park is thought to be one of the most beautiful lakes in Japan. There is also abundant wildlife here, which says a lot about how calm and relaxing the environment is.

For those looking to climb volcanoes, try exploring Mount Meakan or Mount Oakan. Alternatively, you will have a great time hiking along Lake Mashu. You can even go camping and take it slow during your visit to Akan National Park.

Best season to visit: June to August
Type of hikes: Lakes, wildlife, volcanic mountain hiking
Hike difficulty: Moderate to hard

2. Nagano (Chubu Region)

The mountainous Nagano prefecture is a popular place for outdoor activities and hiking in Japan. You can find cultural gems like the Matsumoto Castle, experience a fireworks event, and even see bathing snow monkeys in winter.

As you head towards the Japanese Alps, you will find countless hiking opportunities and unparalleled alpine views. Some of the popular mountain hikes include Mount Yarigate and Mount Akadate.

Kamikochi

Kamikochi is a highland valley located within Chubu-Sangaku National Park, and it is a popular resort destination for locals and visitors. It is the gateway to the Japanese Alps, and many visit this place for the amazing hikes and mountain scenery.

There is a range of hiking trails to suit your comfort level. You could take an easy walk through the valley, or go on multi-day hikes for an extended time in nature. It is also common to hike through the peaks to get to other mountain in the Chubu-Sangaku National Park region.

One of the best things about Kamikochi is that there are no automobiles allowed, which makes for a much more peaceful environment. You can even stay in a mountain hut for an overnight Karasawa Cirque hike.

Best season to visit: April to November
Type of hikes: Riverside walk, mountain peak hiking, hike to hut
Hike difficulty: Easy to hard

Hakuba

Hakuba is a scenic mountain town in the Northern Japanese Alps, known for its stunning landscapes and outdoor activities. While it’s famous for winter sports, green season reveals a completely different side of Hakuba, with colorful fall foliage, crystal-clear lakes, and panoramic hiking trails. Here are some ideas on things to do in Hakuba.

There’s a variety of hikes here to suit your fitness level. You can take easy walks around the lakes or enjoy short gondola-accessed trails with big mountain views, or challenge yourself with full-day ridge hikes across the Japanese Alps. Many trails link to iconic viewpoints like Happo Pond, Tsugaike Nature Park, and beyond.

One of the best things about Hakuba is how easy it is to access incredible scenery without needing difficult climbs. With quiet mountain surroundings, hot springs, cozy cafes, Hakuba has everything an outdoor lover wants.

Best season to visit: June to November
Type of hikes: Lake walks, gondola-access hiking, alpine ridge hikes
Hike difficulty: Easy to hard

3. Gunma and Tochigi (Kanto Region)

Gunma is home to mountainous landscapes and marshlands, giving you many hiking trails to choose from. Some of the notable peaks include Mount Tanigawa and Mount Shirane.

It is easily accessible from Tokyo, making it a great place to visit for a weekend trip or even a day trip. There are many high quality onsens here as well and you can visit the nearby ones villages for a cultural experience.

Oze National Park

Oze National Park is in northeastern Gunma, a unique marshland that sits at 1400m elevation. Although you can access it via Gunma, it actually spans 4 different prefectures.

You can go hiking on the elevated boardwalks across the marshlands on a relatively flat terrain that. Some of these trails are loops that can be done within a day. You could also tackle Mount Shibutsu to get a bird’s eye view of the marshland. There are mountain hut that you can reserve for an overnight stay for your multi-day hikes.

There are also unique flora to look out for in the different seasons. For example in spring and summer, you can see white skunk cabbages, marigolds, cottonsedge, among other marshland plants. When autumn comes, the grass turns orange and the landscape transforms completely.

Best season to visit: June to November
Type of hikes: Marshland and mountain hiking
Hike difficulty: Moderate to hard

Nikko National Park

Located just 2 hours away from Tokyo, Nikko National Park is another great destination for day trips from the city. In summer, you can escape the heat and enjoy the milder temperatures here. Fall is the most crowded and also the most beautiful time to visit.

Nikko National Park is easily reached by a direct train, and we took a 2-day trip here during our Tokyo trip and you can read our itinerary guide here. We enjoyed seeing Chuzenji Lake, Ryuzu Waterfall, and hiking through the Senjogahara Marshland. With regular bus shuttles and cable car rides, it’s easy to see why this destination is a favorite for hiking.

Best season to visit: October to November for fall colors
Type of hikes: Marshland, river, and forest hiking
Hike difficulty: Easy to moderate

4. Kyushu

Kyushu is an island in northwestern Japan, known for the volcanic landscape and onsens that come with it. The weather is mostly subtropical, and you can explore the scenic coastlines, forests, and mountains. This makes Kyushu a great place for a Japan hiking trip.

Some of the notable mountains and volcanoes are the Kuju mountains, Mount Aso and Mount Unzen. You can hike to these peaks, as well as check out the surrounding areas that have a variety of outdoor activities.

Yakushima National Park

Yakushima National Park is actually on an island at the south of Kyushu. This is one of the most unique places in Japan because there are over 39 mountains in this national park. You will also see some of the sturdy 7000-year-old cedar trees that have been able to withstand typhoons over the years.

Some of the easy hikes are found on the Yakusugi Land Trail, which takes you on a hike through the forest of cedar trees. The moderate hikes reveal more of the mossy forest as you continue walking, and you might even feel like you’re in a Studio Ghibli movie.

You can check out the Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine or the Oko-no-taki Falls. Avid hikers will love the challenge of the highest mountain in Kyushu, Mount Miyanoura.

Best season to visit: March to November
Type of hikes: Island, forest, mountain hiking
Hike difficulty: Easy to hard

5. Tokyo (Kanto Region)

If you’re looking to switch up your Tokyo trip with some time in nature, you’ll need to check out these easily accessible trips. You can also find glamping accommodations that feature the natural landscape while giving you a luxurious and comfortable experience.

Mount Fuji

No hiking guide to Japan is complete without mentioning Mount Fuji, the tallest and most iconic mountain in the country. If you’ve always wanted to hike up Mount Fuji (which I haven’t done), do be prepared that it’s going to be a difficult climb.

Best season to visit: July to September (climbing season)
Type of hikes: Volcanic mountain trail with high elevation gain
Hike difficulty: Hard

Hakone

However, if you are looking for a relaxed hiking trip while enjoying an onsen town experience, Hakone is a great choice and you can even see Mount Fuji on a clear day. You can hike the old Tokaido Road, take a ferry across the Lake Ashi and explore various other trails and photo spots in this volcanic mountain and forest landscape.

Best season to visit: October to November for fall colors
Type of hikes: Forest and historical trails
Hike difficulty: Easy to moderate

Mount Takao

If you’re looking for an easy hike near Tokyo, Mount Takao is less than an hour away. You can even take a cable car halfway up if you’re short on time, and you’ll still get to see all the cultural attractions that make Mount Takao hiking so special. After you’re done with your hiking, there’s an onsen bath facility near the train station where you can freshen up before heading back to Tokyo.

Best season to visit: October and November for fall colors
Type of hikes: Forest mountain hiking
Hike difficulty: Easy to moderate

Amazing Japan Hiking Trips For Mountains, Lakes and Islands