Book Guided Hiking Trips Around Tokyo
With nearly two decades of living in Tokyo and exploring its surrounding mountains, I can honestly say that I know the local hiking scene pretty well. To share this knowledge, I offer private guided hiking tours in Tokyo and the Kanto region. Recognising that each hiker has unique preferences, I tailor each tour to individual needs, skill levels, and interests. In 2025, I’ll be expanding beyond individual tours to accommodate small groups of 1 to 3 people as well.
Why Not Book a Japanese Tour Guide?
While it might seem like a more convenient option, booking a Japanese tour guide isn’t always the best choice. Although English-speaking Japanese hiking guides are highly capable, non-Japanese guides often have a better understanding of the unique challenges that overseas visitors face when hiking in Japan. For instance, Japanese guides may not think to provide resources like my Hiking Kanji Cheat Sheet, which simplifies life on the trail, or to explain the nuances of navigating trailhead buses—details that aren’t typically considerations for Japanese hikers.
Typical Guests
I typically cater to two types of guests:
• Experienced hikers new to Japan: Hikers with experience in other countries who wish to familiarise themselves with Japan’s hiking scene. This includes learning to navigate local trail maps and signage, understanding cultural hiking etiquette, taking wildlife precautions, tips on staying safe, and building confidence before venturing out on their own.
• Returning hikers seeking a challenge: Those who have previously hiked in Japan but are now looking for a greater challenge—or simply wish to skip the hassle of planning by leaving the preparation and guiding to someone else.
Prices
• Weekdays: ¥44,000 per group
• Weekends & Public Holidays: ¥49,000 per group
※ Overnight hikes are subject to an additional fee of ¥5,000 per night.
Both prices are fixed and apply to groups of 1 to 3 people. Please note that public transportation costs, any necessary taxi fares, the guide’s transportation expenses (at actual cost), and the guide’s hut or camping fee are not included.
Planning Flow
After your initial inquiry, I will recommend a selection of mountains based on your skill level, interests, experience, and schedule. If you have specific suggestions (with the exception of Mt. Fuji), I’ll be happy to assess their feasibility. Note that during the off-season (December to March), some bus services may not be available, which could limit certain options.
Overnight Hikes
Some mountains are best climbed over two or more days due to time constraints, with Mt. Kumotori, Tokyo’s highest mountain, being a prime example. In such cases, options include staying in a mountain hut, camping, or using an emergency hut. Whatever option you choose, I’ll adjust accordingly.
Typical Accommodation Costs (Separate from Guiding Fee):
• Sudomari (basic lodging): ¥8,000 per night (no meals)
• Full Board (lodging with dinner & breakfast): ¥12,000 per night
• Camping: ¥2,000 per night per tent site (no meals)
• Emergency Huts: Free basic shelter available in some locations
Meeting Point
Our meeting point will typically be a designated station, from where we’ll take a bus together to the trailhead. In some cases, we may begin hiking directly from the station or, if necessary, take a taxi to reach the trailhead. I can also recommend convenient transport hubs or hiking bases to stay at during your trip to Japan.
Safety and Insurance
• Gear and Equipment: Well before the hike, I will provide a detailed list of the necessary gear and equipment to bring, along with guidance on equipment rentals if needed.
• Travel Insurance: I highly recommend obtaining a policy from a provider such as World Nomads or Insured Nomads. Their policies typically cover overseas medical expenses as well as mountain accident insurance.
• Mountain Search and Rescue Insurance: In addition, I will organise mountain search and rescue insurance for all group members. This includes helicopter evacuation, some coverage for personal belongings, and benefits for medical treatment in the event of an injury.
• Emergency Preparedness: For emergency purposes, I carry a Cocoheli transmitter, an emergency tracking device specifically designed for mountain rescue operations. I also use a Garmin GPSMAP 67 handheld GPS navigator to ensure accurate navigation and enhance safety during the hike.
Booking Process
After our initial contact, you can confirm your spot by purchasing 3 Ko-fi’s ($9 USD) through my Ko-fi page: https://ko-fi.com/ridgelineimages. This small deposit helps cover the time and effort involved in planning and coordinating the hike and will be deducted from the total cost of the trip.
Payment and Cancellation Policy
Payment: Payment, including transportation fees, must be made via PayPal at least two weeks prior to the hike. A PayPal account is not required to complete the payment. Please note that PayPal charges a 3.5% fee for processing credit card payments.
For those with Japanese bank accounts: To avoid payment fees, you can make a payment via Japan Post Bank or MUFG Bank, as internal transfers between accounts at these institutions are fee-free. Transfers can also be arranged at the post office without needing an account. If you’d prefer to pay via bank transfer, please contact me for the necessary details.
• Cancellation by Me: If I need to cancel the hike due to inclement weather, natural disasters, or unforeseen circumstances, you will receive a full refund.
• Cancellation by You: A cancellation fee may apply as follows:
o 14 days or more before the trip: A full refund, minus any PayPal or bank transaction fees.
o 7-13 days before: 25% of the fee
o 2–6 days before: 50% of the fee
o 24 hours before: 100% of the fee
— Tony (Singapore)
— Lena (USA)
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Let’s Get Started!
If you’re interested in booking a guided hike, feel free to reach out.