The best walks and hikes in Japan

Exploring Japan’s phenomenal forests

You’re sure to find many of the best hiking trails in Japan deep within its extraordinary forests. Why? Because this wonderful country has around 70% forest cover. With plenty of rain, heat and varying altitudes, Japan is not just rich in healthy forests but it also has several distinct types. 

In the north of the chain, Hokkaido has abundant coniferous forests in the mountainous regions and stunning deciduous oak forests in the south. In Honshu, lush, deciduous and broadleaf evergreen forests run rampant and trails here are wondrous. 

Japan is also home to sacred forests, where you can find shrines and temples set amongst stunning green backdrops of cedar and cypress. At these cherished sites, you’ll learn about Japanese culture and heritage too.

Nature watching 

On hikes in Japan, the astounding sights aren’t limited to the blissful forests, this nation has more wildlife than you could imagine. With such fantastic habitats and sparsely populated across much of the wildernesses, animals are in heaven here. 

Ever heard of tanuki? These furry animals are a type of racoon dog and live throughout the country. If you hike enough, you may well see them but you’ll definitely see statues of them in front of temples as they’re said to bring good luck. 

Black bears thrive in the mountainous areas of Japan. Bear bells and spray are useful to have if you go hiking in these beautiful places as they’ll keep any bears away. Seeing bears from a distance is a breathtaking experience though. Sika deer are also abundant throughout Japan, mostly famously in Nara Park where they’re extremely tame. 

Islands and mountains

Aside from its forests, walks in Japan are inherently linked to the country’s exquisite mountainous landscape. In fact, you can hike in forested mountains, perfectly merging the two dominant landscapes. 

Both of the main islands have significant mountainous landscape as well as some of the small islands, like the magical Yakushima. Japan’s mountain trails range from expert multi-day treks requiring serious preparation and athletic ability to gentler hikes in lower ranges. Some of the mountains here are volcanoes, which means you can see perfect conical shapes, a good example being Mt. Fuji. 

With 34 national parks, you can trek through the most incredible protected landscape in the world. Wherever you choose to hike in Japan, you won’t get more than ten steps without realising you’re in love with the country.