Fujisan’s Endless Crowds The famous 17th-century poet Basho wrote ‘Rain obscures the scene; But Fuji still exerts a charm Even when unseen’. This sentiment still rings true today based on the sizeable number of climbers who took to the slopes in...
Japan’s Most Prominent Peaks For better or worse, Kyuya Fukada’s 1964 best seller “100 Famous Japanese Mountains” (日本百名山 Nihon Hyaku-meizan) has had a profound influence on modern alpinism in Japan. It has led to a decades long hiking boom...
Okinomimi オキノ耳 – Mt. Mantaro 万太郎山 – Mt. Tairappyou 平標山 . . Crossing the “Mountain of Death” Let’s get this out the way first. I can’t stress it enough: if you decide to do this hike, plan carefully. The trail for the most part...
Lake Oze 尾瀬沼 – Mt. Hiuchigatake 燧ヶ岳 – Mt. Shibutsu 至仏山 . . Some of the Best Hiking out of Tokyo Oze is without question one of best places to hike near Tokyo. It caters to both casual day hikers as well as more experienced adventure...
Tsukuba Shrine 筑波神社 – Mt. Nantai 男体山 – Mt. Nyotai 女体山 . . The Mount Fuji of the West When I first learned that Mt. Tsukuba was included in the list of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains I was baffled as it seemed nothing out of the ordinary...
Futarasan Shrine 二荒山神社 – Mt. Nantai 男体山 . . Gruelling Hike but Worth the Reward Mt. Nantai 男体山 is a sacred mountain which rises abruptly from Lake Chuzenji in Nikko. The mountain’s prominent cone shape is reminiscent of Mt. Fuji and on clear...
Mt. Mibudake 三峰岳 – Mt. Ainodake 間ノ岳 – Mt. Notoridake 農鳥岳 . . Exploring the Northern Minami Alps Claiming joint honours as the third highest mountain in Japan, Ainodake is regularly climbed in concert with Kita-dake and Notoridake...
Mt. Kurobi 黒檜山 – Mt. Komagatake 駒ヶ岳登山 – Mt. Choshichiro 長七郎山 . . Enjoy First-Rate Hiking Close to Tokyo Located in central Gunma, Mt. Akagi is one of the Jomo Sanzan or three famous mountains in the prefecture along with Mt. Haruna and...
Hirogawara 広河原 – Kita-dake 北岳 . . Climbing Japan’s 2nd Highest Mountain Along with claiming the title of Japan’s second highest peak, Kita-dake is blessed with superb panoramic views. Most hikers complete the hike in two days but if...
Mt. Tateshina 蓼科山 – Ogawaratoge Pass 大河原峠 – Mugikusa Pass 麦草峠 . . Climbing the Biggest Mountain Top in Japan Hopes of climbing Mt. Tateshina last year were hampered by rain and cloud so this time round I was yearning for clearer skies...