CONTENTS
Get off the beaten path in Japan, but don’t stray too far from the trails, on these three mountains locals love to hike!
Mountain Climbing in Japan
Imagine climbing to the very top of a mountain and gazing out at the beautiful Japanese countryside… are you imagining yourself on the snow-capped peak of Mount Fuji? Well, Fuji might be a symbol of Japan, but many locals will tell you that Mount Fuji is really less of a "climbing mountain" and more of a "viewing mountain." Iconic enough to inspire generations of artists from afar, but dusty and crowded up close. So for those who really love a good hike, and find satisfaction in scaling the steep sides of a beautiful mountain, Japan has quite a few peaks that offer mountain climbers amazing views, peaceful surroundings, and routes through much more interesting terrain. Japan has, after all, been traditionally worshipping majestic mountains for thousands of years. After starting with a few easy hikes around Tokyo, there's a whole mountainous country to explore! So grab some cool Japanese hiking gear, get ready, and choose a mountain that's right for you!
① Mount Shirouma
The wrinkles of snow that line Mount Shirouma certainly make it pretty from afar, but up close, it's not likely to leave you bored either! Just one peak in the "Japanese Alps" that cut across Japan, Mount Shirouma got its name (literally "white horse") from a patch of snow that stays brilliant throughout the year. Even after warm weather starts to melt the icy blanket from the mountainsides, smaller sections of snow stay stark white, and the reveal of Shirouma's "white horse" snow patch high on the mountain has long been a sign of spring for locals.
Travelers can reach the mountain via an easy bus trip from Hakuba, one of Japan's most popular ski resorts, and rent crampons at the foot of the trail to climb the snowy paths throughout the summer. After reaching the top, one of the joys of the Japanese Alps is walking along the ridge of the mountain range, traversing the stony spines that link one peak to another. At Mount Shirouma, a popular route takes hikers up through the snow, to the mountain's summit (marked by a stone monument that was carried all the way up on the back of a single old man!), then along a rocky ridge past Mount Korenge, and back down the mountain via a relaxing cable car! The lengthy trail isn't a feasible day trip, so those who make the hike will want to stay the night in a "sanso" (山荘), or mountain villa. Perched on mountainsides across Japan, these "villas" can range from wood huts to much chicer accommodations, and Shirouma's own Hakuba Sanso is not only one of the largest in Japan, but it's also been standing near the peak of Mount Shirouma for more than 100 years.
🗻 Mount Shirouma (白馬岳)
Hokujo, Hakuba, Kitaazumi District, Nagano
Hakuba Sanso (白馬山荘)
Hokujo, Hakuba, Kitaazumi District, Nagano
Official Website (jp)
② Mount Teine
When looking for mountains to hike in Hokkaido, an initial search might lead visitors to Mount Yotei, an iconic mountain that has earned the nickname "Ezo Fuji," literally the Mount Fuji of Hokkaido. But local hikers are likely to tell you that the Ezo Fuji has similar issues to its famous namesake – it's just not a very interesting mountain to climb. Fortunately, there are some other great options on Japan's northernmost island! In the winter, Mount Teine is a convenient ski slope just outside of Sapporo, Hokkaido's capital city, and a former competition site for the 1972 Winter Olympics. In the summer, it's a lush green mountain with a number of popular hiking trails, a 1,023 meter (3,356ft) peak, and plenty to see along the way! Trails take you past babbling brooks and sparkling waterfalls, and large stretches covered entirely in boulders add a little challenging fun to the route. It takes an average of a little under four hours to reach the top, but the panoramic views of Sapporo and the surrounding countryside make a worthy reward!
🗻 Mount Teine (手稲山)
Heiwa, Nishi Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido
③ Mount Nasu
The Nasu area of Tochigi prefecture is a popular resort area, thanks largely to the collection of volcanic peaks that give the region the name "Nasu Kogen" (那須高原), literally the Nasu Highlands. Throughout the year people come for luxurious hot springs, and in the summer it's the cool mountain breezes that draw waves of visitors, but in the fall travelers flock to Mount Nasu to hike through vistas of beautiful fall foliage in a riot of reds, yellows, and oranges. The mountain is one of Japan's 100 most famous, according to a list that even the Japanese emperor has taken note of. Mount Nasu has five peaks, ranging in height from 1,589 meters to 1,917 (5,213~6,289ft), but visitors tend to go for the Chausu peak, the second-highest, which is capped with a volcanic crater that sometimes spews volcanic vapors into the sky. Anyone looking for an easy little adventure can get to the mountain's 9th station via the convenient ropeway, and hike less than an hour to the top. Those looking for a little more of a challenge, and extra time to enjoy the otherworldly mosaic of fall leaves, can choose to follow a trail from the 7th station instead.
🗻 Mount Nasu (那須岳)
Itamuro, Nasushiobara, Tochigi
Get Ready to Get Out There
Chosen your preferred route, and feeling ready enough to just about run to the peak? Well, before you head out, it's time to make sure you've got everything you need! Japanese people are often shocked at how ill-prepared foreign tourists can be when showing up to climb Mount Fuji – the image of an unsuspecting tourist trudging up the dusty trail in flip-flops and shorts is almost a running joke in the area. Don't be that tourist! (There are plenty of easy hikes to climb in sneakers around Japan, but for the most part, these are not them.) Fortunately, when it comes to great gear, Japan has you covered! Shop online for all kinds of outdoorsy items at retailers like Nature Tones and Nordisk, pick up walking poles and canteens at Muranokajiya, find some new hiking boots at Yosemite, and dress yourself in sleek and practical hiking duds from And Wander. If you're feeling especially stylish, you can even top it all off with a straw hat from Tanaka Hat, which has been weaving up hats to keep the sun off people's heads for over 100 years. Once you're all ready, it's time to cross sheets of icy snow, pick your way across fields of boulders, wade through waves of colorful foliage, and check out some of the most amazing views from these three great Japan mountains!
Details
NAME:Mountains in Japan
Looking for the latest trends and products coming out of Japan? We've got you covered!
COMMENT
FEATURED MEDIA
VIEW MOREA Tokyo Winter Must-See: Tokyo Mega Illumination Event Period: November 2, 2024 ~ January 12, 2025 *Closed Nov 4~8, Dec 1~6, Dec 25~ Jan 1. End date may be subject to change. Hours: 16:30 – 21:00 (final admission 20:00) *Opening hours may vary depending on scheduled events or congestion, please check the official website for details. Directions: 2 min. walk from Tokyo Monorail Oikeibajo-Mae Station, 12 min. walk from Keikyu Tachiaigawa Station #japankuru #tokyowinter #tokyomegaillumination #megaillumination2024 #tokyocitykeiba #도쿄메가일루미네이션 #tokyotrip #oiracecourseillumination
Tokyo Shopping Spot Recommendation: New Balance Kichijoji #newbalance #newbalancekichijoji #newbalancejapan #japanesesneakerheads #shoppinginjapan #japantrip #도쿄여행 #도쿄쇼핑 #뉴발란스 #일본한정 #일본패션 #日本購物 #日本買衣服 #NB #日本時尚 #東京購物 #รองเท้าnewbalance #นิวบาลานซ์ #รองเท้าผ้าใบ #ช้อปปิ้ง #คิจิโจจิ #japankuru
See Kyoto Clearly With Your New Glasses #japankuru #kyoto #jins #교토여행 #진즈 #京都 #교토수족관 #가모가와 #kamogawa #kyotoaquarium
The First Japanese Converse Flagship: CONVERSE STORE HARAJUKU #japankkuru #conversejp_pr #conversejapan #harajuku #tokyotrip #converse #tokyoshopping #匡威 #帆布鞋 #東京購物 #原宿 #日本時尚 #일본쇼핑 #일본컨버스 #일본한정 #하라주쿠 #일본패션 #일본스트릿 #รองเท้าconverse #รองเท้าผ้าใบ #ช้อปปิ้ง #ฮาราจูกุ #คอนเวิร์ส
Japanese Makeup Shopping • A Trip to Kamakura & Enoshima With Canmake’s Cool-Toned Summer Makeup #pr #canmake #enoshima #enoden #에노시마 #캔메이크 #japanesemakeup #japanesecosmetics
⚔️The Robot Restaurant is gone, but the Samurai Restaurant is here to take its place. Check it out, and don't forget your coupon! 🍣신주쿠의 명소 로봇 레스토랑이 사무라이 레스토랑으로 부활! 절찬 쿠폰 발급중 💃18歲以上才能入場的歌舞秀,和你想的不一樣!拿好優惠券去看看~ #tokyo #shinjuku #samurairestaurant #robotrestaurant #tokyotrip #도쿄여행 #신주쿠 #사무라이레스토랑 #이색체험 #할인이벤트 #歌舞伎町 #東京景點 #武士餐廳 #日本表演 #日本文化體驗 #japankuru #japantrip #japantravel #japanlovers #japan_of_insta
Japanese appliance & electronics shopping with our KOJIMA x BicCamera coupon! 用JAPANKURU的KOJIMA x BicCamera優惠券買這些正好❤️ 코지마 x 빅 카메라 쿠폰으로 일본 가전 제품 쇼핑하기 #pr #japankuru #japanshopping #kojima #biccamera #japaneseskincare #yaman #dji #osmopocket3 #skincaredevice #日本購物 #美容儀 #相機 #雅萌 #日本家電 #일본여행 #면세 #여행꿀팁 #일본쇼핑리스트 #쿠폰 #일본쇼핑 #일본브랜드 #할인 #코지마 #빅카메라 #japankurucoupon
Odaiba's DiverCity Tokyo Plaza is home to the famous real-size 20m-tall Unicorn Gundam, and the popular shopping center has even more Gundam on the inside! Check out the Gundam Base Tokyo on the 7th floor for shelves upon shelves of Gunpla, and the Gundam Base Tokyo Annex on the 2nd floor for cool anime merchandise. Both shops have tons of limited-edition items! #pr #odaiba #tokyo #tokyotrip #japantrip #japantravel #PR #divercity #divercitytokyoplaza #tokyoshopping #gundam #unicorngundam #gundambasetokyo #anime #otaku #gunpla #japankuru #오다이바 #다이바시티도쿄 #오다이바건담 #건담 #일본건담 #건프라 #건담베이스도쿄