Explore Japan

Japan’s reputation as an overcrowded and urban country extends only to the coastal plains where the majority of the population live. A good 70% of the country is mountainous, and thanks to a hiking boom that has swept the nation over the past decade, trains, buses, mountain huts and trailheads are easy to access and well-maintained.

The Japanese archipelago stretches along the Pacific ring of fire, from frigidHokkaido in the far north to the sub-tropical Ryukyu Islands in the south. The Japanese Alps are on the main island of Honshu, which has a distinct rainy season lasting from early June until mid-July, so avoid hiking at that time. The best season for hiking is from August until early November. Alpine roads and trails are usually open in time for Golden Week (a series of national holidays) in late April/early May, but be prepared for huge amounts of snow in the mountains between then and the rainy season.

All large train stations have a tourist information centre and can often help with transport and accommodation. Most mountain huts are open from early July to early September (though check online beforehand), provide hot meals and bedding, and in the main don’t require reservations. A pair of simple crampons may be useful for navigating snowfields.