In the spring of 2001, I moved to this vast archipelago in order to escape from the regular 9 to 5 life of working in the western world. I soon found myself escaping the hustle and bustle of the Kansai area every chance I got. Armed, like most outdoor enthusiasts, with a copy of Lonely Planet’s Hiking in Japan guidebook, I set out to scale the majority of the peaks in the book, and then some!
In October 2008, I finally knocked off the last peak in my quest to climb the Nihon Hyakumeizan (Japan’s 100 famous mountains). The Tozan Tales is a collection of stories from that long, hard, adventurous quest.
hi, im a hiker from the philippines planning to climb mountains in japan this june-july. i enjoyed your stories. very informative. thanks!
Many thanks for your comment about my “Washiba” article – I will certainly be linking in to your own articles and photos when you publish on Tozan Tales. By the way, I read on your other blog that you plan to visit Tekari-dake this September. It would be most interesting to learn what you find on the summit. Fukada Kyuya (in Nihon Hyakumeizan) says the summit was covered in creeping pine. But now it seems that taller trees have moved up from below and obscure the summit view. I’m wondering if this is a sign of climate change. Some more photos might help to answer this interesting question…. More about the Tekari question on One Hundred Mountains at
http://onehundredmountains.blogspot.com/2008/06/creeping-pine-question-reloaded.html
Hello , I got really interested in your blog.
Actually I’m doing a research project for the graduation research class at I-NAC College in Niigata.I am trying to find out foreigner’s knowledge and interests in trekking in Japan.
It would be grateful if you don’t mind I would like to attatch a questionnaire .
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Hi, amazing blog you’ve got here! Keep up the terrific work!
I will be in Tokyo 2 to 6 of October and I would like to do some hiking for two days (2 dayhikes or a trek of 2 days). Can you advise a your preferred hike (mountain climb) not too far from Tokyo? Thanks a lot for your help, Jensen.
thanks for the kind words Jensen!
As far as places to go for 2 days, you have lots of options. I guess my first question would be: what are you looking for? Volcanic terrain? Beautiful marshlands? Stunning views of Mt. Fuji?
Volcanic scenery can be found in the mountains just outside of Nikko (Mt. Nantai and Oku-shirane). Head to Oze if you’re looking for marshlands, and try your hand at Mt. Tanzawa if you’re looking for great views of Mt. Fuji (weather permitting).
Hi, love your blog. You’re truly lucky to be able to do all this hiking, very jealous! I’ll be coming to Japan in June for a mere 2 weeks this year and was wondering if you would be able to help me narrow down my choices. We won’t have any overnight gear so we’re limited to day treks. I’m trying to decide between Dewa Sanzan, Yakushima, Rishiri & Rebun, and Kumano Kodo. Trying to figure out if Gas-san in Dewa Sanzen will be open late June but getting different reports. Anyways, I’d really appreciate any input you have. Thanks!
Amy,
Thanks for the kind words and welcome to Japan (even if only for a short time)
June is a tricky month for hiking, as the summer monsoon moves over the main island. It usually rains just about every day between mid June and mid July, but there’ll be pockets of good weather in between, but usually not consecutive days of sunny skies. That being said, there’s something enchanting about hiking in the rain, and I’ve climbed close to 50 mountains in pretty terrible conditions, so don’t sweat it. If you’re truly adverse to the wet conditions, then consider going to Hokkaido, which doesn’t have a rainy season.
All of the trails will be open despite the potentially bad weather (unless there’s flooding or landslides). As far as choices go, you can’t go wrong with any of the places on your list.
My wife’s favorite place is definitely Yakushima. Not only can you go trekking, but you can rent bicycles and traverse around the island. Plus, there are hot springs, monkeys, and the chance to see giant sea turtles laying eggs on the beaches!
Rishiri and Rebun are pretty great if you love alpine flowers (and want to escape the rain!) Dewa sanzan will still have quite a bit of snow, depending on how early or late in June you come.
Kumano kodo is also good, but I really think it’s worth it to explore other areas of Japan first, as they feel a little more pristine than the Kansai area (maybe I’m just partial because I live in Osaka and can go to Kumano kodo anytime!)
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Wes
Wes, thanks for that, it’s immensely helpful! I think we’ll end up in Rishiri/Rebun. Yakoshima would be great, but it’s turning out to be a bit far from anything else on our itinerary and kind of expensive to get to. Cheers & enjoy your travels.
Hi Wes,
Your travels and adventures are truly interesting and amazing.
We are planning a 2-3 month trip to Japan, between late August and late October. mostly going out into areas with both good onsen (away from the hoardes of tourists) and good hikes.
We lived in Japan for about 5 years before and have traveled the Hokkaido and Okinawa area a lot so we are not planning on going there this time.
So far we have narrowed it down to Akita, Aomori, Tochigi, Nagano, Shimane, Wakayama and maybe some parts of Shikoku.
What areas and hikes would you recommend as must do? We are aiming for single day hikes, we do not want to have to travel the whole country with too much gear.
Am unsure what areas in Shikoku are worth doing and you might have some info on that.
Also in Kyushu what would your recommendation be. Am avoiding Beppu like the plague, so anything that is the exact opposite of that would be great.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
C.
C.
Sorry for the late reply. I’ve been in Hokkaido.
On Shikoku, Mt. Ishizuchi is the best day hike. You can find information on my Hiking in Japan site (click on the link in the right margin)
Kyushu has some outstanding volcanic scenery. Definitely check out Mt. Kuju and possibly Kirishima national park if you get a chance.
The first snows usually fall on the higher peaks from the end of September, and you have to be prepared if hiking in Tohoku during that time. My favorite peak in Tohoku is probably Mt. Chokai in Akita Prefecture. Spectacular scenery and incredible views. Mt. Hakkoda is also another great option – a much easier hike with a nice hot spring.
Let me know if you have any other specific questions.
Wes
Thanks mate,
Went up both Chokai and Hakkoda, was raining cats and dogs on both days but made it to the top and back safely.
Chokai was definitely a good challenge, Hakkoda was wet as can be but the onsen at the base made it all worth it.
Am going to Ichizushi later in october, am waiting for a break in the weather to try either tateyama or Tsurugi in Nagano, fingers crossed I can do either one tomorrow.
Cheers,
Charles.
Hi there mate,
Awesome blog! Im living in Sendai area at present but I have the whole of April to go missioning around the south of japan.
I notice you’ve done a fair bit of ‘wild camping’ – i.e. no camp site – pretty much what I love doing. Got any tips for not upsetting the locals?
Could you recommend any multi-day hikes with a view of Mt Fuji (so not actually climbing fuji) – I have all my own gear and am fairly experienced/fit etc.
Also any other multi-day hikes anywhere south from Tokyo that you recon are really worth it? I have a car to get there so that will hopefully help!
Any tips would be grand!
Take care,
Stephan
Stephan,
Sorry for the late reply. I’ve been out of the country.
‘Wild camping’ basically involves pitching the tent in a non-discrete place by setting up camp after sundown and breaking down camp really early in the morning before daybreak. Another option would be to sleep out in the open without a tent – I’ve done that about a dozen times and it works well as long as it doesn’t rain and the mosquitoes aren’t too bad.
As far as multi-day hikes go near Fuji, I’d recommend doing the Mizugaki-Kinpu-Kobushi traverse (you can search for it on this blog) or the Tsurugi traverse on Shikoku island (or Ishizuchi for that matter).
It’s still too early to do any trekking in the Alps with all of the snow. You’re more that welcome to check out my other blog (japanhike.wordpress.com) for other ideas.
Wes
Hi Wes,
In ozasanosyuku (小笹の宿), it was pleasant.
A panoramic photograph is later published to my blog.
Please see.
fukayama