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Our Touch, your Travels…

This is a preview of the full content of our Japan’s Best app.

Please consider downloading this app to support small independent publishing and because:

  • All content is designed for mobile devices and works best there.
  • Detailed in-app maps will help you find sites using your device’s GPS.
  • The app works offline (one time upgrade required on Android versions).

The app will also allow you to:

  • Add custom locations to the app map (your hotel…).
  • Create your own list of favourites as you browse.
  • Search the entire contents using a fast and simple text-search tool.
  • Make one-click phone calls (on phones).
iOS App Store Google Play

Hiking

Japan is 70% mountains – a hiker’s paradise with a vibrant hiking culture.

I’ve climbed all 21 of Japan’s 3,000m peaks and the Hyakumeizan, the 100 Famous Mountains - and have had amazing experiences in the Japanese mountains.

There’s no better way to meet the locals than sweat your way up a mighty peak together, share a packed room in a mountain hut, soak in a remote onsen or drop a beer together after a hike.

We’ve got a number of hikes listed in this app, plus the Hiking in the North Alps sample itinerary - but there are a lot more options out there.

Take a look at Hikes in Japan, a wesbsite run by Japanese company Yama-to Keikoku (Yamakei), or Wes Lang’s Hiking in Japan.

Recommended hikes

Read the full content in the app
iOS App Store Google Play

The North Alps In-12-Days

Mountain hiker’s delight

Daimonji-yama 大文字山

Hiking in the nearby eastern mountains

Daisetsuzan NP 大雪山国立公園

Japan’s largest national park; ‘rooftop of Hokkaidō’

Dewa Sanzan 出羽三山

Paths of the ‘yamabushi’ (mountain priests)

Fushimi Inari Shrine 伏見稲荷大社

Endless red shrine gates leading up the mountain

Mt Ishizuchi 石鎚山

Hiking up the sacred Shintō mountain

Kaimon-dake 開聞岳

Satsuma-Fuji - Kagoshima’s mini-Mt Fuji

Kamikōchi 上高地

Remote mountain resort & hiking

Kurama - Kibune 鞍馬と貴船

Hike in the mountains north of Kyōto

Kirishima 霧島

Myths, history & hiking

Kumano Kodō 熊野古道

Anciet pilgrimage trails on Kii Peninsula

Mt Mitake 御岳山

Day trip hiking west of Tokyo

Mt Takao 高尾山

Nearest nature to central Tōkyō

Mt Yōtei 羊蹄山

Ezo-Fuji (Hokkaidō’s Mt Fuji)

Mt Fuji Climbing 富士山

Early July to mid-Sept is the official season

Nakasendō walk 中山道

Fascinating 2-3hr walk along the old trail

Rishiri Island 利尻島

Ferry to remote hiking (for adventurers!)

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Open April 15 to Nov 30 in the North Alps

Yakushima 屋久島

World Heritage-listed eco-island

Yamanobe-no-michi Trail 山辺の道

Fascinating ramble through rural Nara

Text © Craig McLachlan

Image by TaHsiang Yen