Komanogoya 駒ノ小屋 – Chumon-dake 中門岳 . . Primeval Beech Forest Gives Way to Alpine Marshland Mt. Aizu-Komagatake or simply Aizu-Koma is a vast expanse of rolling marshlands, limpid ponds and flower fields in Minamiaizu, Fukushima Prefecture. The...
The Low-Down on Japanese Hiking Maps Writing about topographic maps i.e. a map which uses elevation contours may not be the most riveting topic yet it’s a must have item for both route-finding and safely enjoying mountain climbing. Other useful...
Makihatayama Refuge Hut 巻機山避難小屋 – Mt. Makihata 巻機山 . . Vast Grasslands and Limpid Ponds Mt. Makihata is a broad open peak dotted with grasslands, flower meadows and ponds on the border of Gunma and Niigata. It has been selected as one of...
Mt. Senmai-dake 千枚岳 – Mt. Warusawa 悪沢岳 – Mt. Eboshi 烏帽子岳 . . Exploring the Southern Minami Alps If you want to enjoy some of the most pristine and rugged nature Japan has to offer than the south end of the Minami Alps is an excellent...
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...