Top hiking places in Japan


With how popular it is to go traveling these days, it can be invaluable finding somewhere truly breathtaking that isn’t completely overrun by eager tourists; even if you are one yourself. Japan is one of those places that many people forget about, especially when Japan is famous for a few key things. When most people think of Japan, it’s probably the fact that it’s one of the world’s most innovative and technologically advanced countries in the world, as well as the home to some specific pop culture inventions. However, one of Japan’s best-kept secrets is that it is home to some of the world’s most phenomenal views, and the best part is, you can reach them on foot! So, read on to discover the top hiking trails in Japan.

Mount Mitake

Mount Mitake is one of the most scenic hikes, and it had been rated somewhere between an easy and medium hiking difficulty. This is great because it means you don’t have to be a pro to do this trail. Experts have suggested that this trail is best walked in either the spring or the autumn, due to the natural beauty these seasons bring. It’s a shorter trail and only takes two hours if you start from the city. This particular trail is through the mountains of Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park; a national park is never to be bypassed.

Top hiking places in Japan

Mount Yoshino

Mount Yoshino is a UNESCO world heritage site and is a big part of the ‘Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range’ along with Kumano and Mount Koya. This place is home to over 30,000 cherry blossom trees which adorn the roads leading to the mountain. This small place may be out of the way, but it has a rich and ancient history which may surprise you.

Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji is Japan’s highest mountain, and they have four tracked trails that you can choose from. As with hiking up any mountain, you should be experienced and have taken plenty of safety precautions. Once you have done this, you can enjoy the novelty of mountain hiking, and it will be an experience you’ll never forget.

Top hiking places in Japan

Iya Valley

Iya Valley can be located between two mountains in the depths of Shikoku island, one of Japan’s smaller islands. This is a particularly exciting trail, filled with valleys and rope bridges called Iya Kazurabashi. This is the light adventurer’s dream, as the trail will continually change from hopping over stones to being in the middle of the ancient Japanese countryside. Ivy Valley is not for first-time hikers or inexperienced adventurers; this trail is ‘rocky’ at best but can be a thrilling experience and memory.

Rebun Island

The northern Rebun island also belongs to a national park and is home to some unique flora. This island offers some beautiful views from the trails and can be reasonably accessible for the inexperienced hiker. The best time to visit this area is in the summer months, as the winters can be incredibly harsh and you may not want that kind of an icy challenge. You can also find maps of their most popular trails, color coded so you can easily choose your difficulty level. Each experience will be unique.

 

Japan has kept its trails and countryside authentic and truly beautiful, and no matter which one you choose, you will experience something truly unique.

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