Japan Hiking Tours: Walking Japan's 4 Best Hiking Trails

Nature can also be an artist creating beautiful scenes, like humans, but much more quietly. On our Japan Hiking Tours, the entire journey is guided by nature. Towering forests, fresh air, ancient buildings become your extra member. Purifying and adventurous, see Japan's other side.

We've hiked Japan's most popular trails – Nakasendo and Kamikochi in Central Japan, and Kumano Kodo and Koyasan in Kansai. You'll have mature, safe, and affordable hiking support along with nearby cultural heritage sites. 

Nakasendo Magome-Tsumago Trail: Hike 400-year-old ancient route that connected Kyoto and Tokyo. Walk through rustic village paths to reach historic post towns. Visit nearby Matsumoto Castle, a national treasure with black samurai style.

Kamikochi Taisho Pond-Myojin Pond Trail: Walk to 150-year-old hiking gateway of the Japanese Alpswith snow-capped peaks and clear lakes. Head to nearby historic town of Takayama to explore its traditional streets.

Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Trail: Trek this UNESCO World Heritage Site, a thousand-year-old pilgrimage route. Admire ancient forests and cloud-shrouded mountains, leading to three great Kumano Sanzan shrines.

Koya Pilgrimage Path: Hike to this sacred Buddhist mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a history of over a thousand years. Stop at temples and enjoy a vegetarian temple meal. Both Kumano Kodo and Mt. Koya trails can be reached from gourmet Kobe or historic capital of Kyoto.

Our Japan Hiking Tours page also features a good variety of other travel themes, including food, sakura (cherry blossoms), skiing, anime, art, and gardens.

Plan Your Japan Walking Tours: The best hiking season is from March to October. Your can plan to hike in Central Japan or Osaka area. All of our 5 to 9 day tours are made up of easy single-day hikes. Check out the trips below.