Hiked on Oct 18, 2026 . Kurumayama-kata 車山肩 – Mt. Kurumayama 車山 – Yashimagahara 八島ヶ原湿原 Duration: 5.5 hours Distance: 16.5 km Elevation change: 325 metres Highest point: 1925 metres Start: Kowashimizu bus stop Finish:...
Hiked on Oct 8, 2026 . Nasu Ropeway 那須ロープウェイ – Mt. Asahi 朝日岳 – Okamaguchi お釜口 Duration: 4.5 hours Distance: 6.8 km Elevation change: 525 metres Highest point: 1915 metres Start: Nasu Ropeway bus stop Finish: Nasu Ropeway bus...
A Periodic Table of Peaks The third field guide of the year is also the biggest. After two pocket-sized cards, this one brings all 100 of Fukada Kyuya’s famous mountains together on a single A3 sheet, laid out so the whole list can be taken in at a...
July 21st to July 24th, 2026 . Nakabusa Onsen 中房温泉 to Kamikochi 上高地 This is a long and demanding multi-day hike suitable for experienced hikers. Do not attempt this hike unless you have experience in route-finding. Carry the relevant...
A Pocket Guide for Climbing Mt Fuji in 2026 Hot on the heels of the Japan Hiking Field Guide comes its first companion: a pocket reference built for one mountain and one mountain only. If you’re climbing Mt Fuji this season, this pocket guide...
Hiked on June 12, 2026 . Asama-sanso 浅間山荘 – Asama-kazankan 火山館 – Mt. Maekake 前掛山 Duration: 2 days Distance: 22.3 km Elevation change: 1320 metres Highest point: 2524 metres Start: Asamayama tozan-guchi bus stop...
Hiked on Sep 21, 2025 . Kamikochi 上高地 – Dakesawa 岳沢小屋 – Karasawa Cirque 涸沢カール Duration: 3 days Distance: 26.7 km Elevation change: 1685 metres Highest point: 3190 metres Start: Kamikochi Bus Stop ...
Hiked on Aug 23, 2025 . Kitazawa-toge 北沢峠 – Choei-goya 長衛小屋 – Ko-senjogatake 小仙丈ヶ岳 Duration: 7 hours Distance: 11 km Elevation change: 1003 metres Highest point: 3033 metres Start: Kitazawa-toge ...
Hiked on Jul 24, 2025 . Shinhotaka Ropeway 新穂高ロープウェイ – Yarigatake 槍ヶ岳 – Kamikochi 上高地 Duration: 3 days Distance: 35.2 km Elevation change: 2090 metres Highest point: 3180 metres Start: Shinhotaka...
Hiked on May 20, 2025 . Karasawa Junction 涸沢分岐 – Hanadate 石楠立 – Mt. Banjiro-dake 万二郎岳 Duration: 5 hours Distance: 9 km Elevation change: 366 metres Highest point: 1,406 metres Start: Amagi juso...
The Rising Tide of Hikers in Japan A few weeks ago, I shared why I’ve decided not to complete the Hyakumeizan, Japan’s celebrated list of 100 mountains. While that choice came from a mix of personal and deeper reflections, one word keeps coming back...
Why I’m Not Chasing Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains Anyone who’s hiked a bit in Japan has probably come across the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains, or (Hyakumeizan). My first was Fuji-san, which I climbed 25 years ago during my first stint in Japan...
Enter Naka-Shirane-san et al. TL;DR Not all 3,000-metre mountains in Japan are officially recognised. Peaks like Naka-Shirane-san and Gendarme lack prominence and are classified as secondary. Cultural factors and quirks, such as Fuji’s lesser-known...
The Trail Less Rushed: 150 Hikes Quietly, last month I marked a major milestone: my 150th hiking trail guide on RIDGELINEIMAGES.com! Over the past 12 years, creating these trail guides has been a labour of love. While they make up less than half of...
Hiked on September 24, 2024 . Ojiragawa Gorge 尾白川渓谷 – Shichijo-koya 七丈小屋 – Komagatake Shrine 駒ヶ岳神社 This is a long and demanding hike, suitable for experienced hikers. Do not attempt the Kuroto Ridge course unless you are...
One Man’s Quest for the 100 Best Mountains in Japan It comes with much excitement and anticipation when a book about hiking in Japan is released, whether it’s a guidebook or a memoir. Such books are rare finds. As soon as I heard that William...