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...
Futarayama Shrine 二荒山神社 – Mt. Nyoho 女峰山 – Kirifuri-kougen 霧降高原 . . Where the Lesser is Greater While only a metre in height separates the sacred peaks of Mt. Nantai and Mt. Nyoho they have a vastly different feel. For starters Mt. Nantai...
Mt. Ogura 御座山 – Zeneimine 前衛峰 – Miharashidai 見晴台 . . A 200 Famous Mountain Worth Spending a Night When planning an overnight hike there are three things I look for. First is water which needs to be available either near the campsite or...
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...
Mt. Kaiun 開運山 – Mt. Tenjo 天上山 . . Chasing Epic Views on Mitsutoge If you’re looking for a hike near Tokyo with stunning views of Mt. Fuji than Mt. Mitsutoge 三ッ峠山 is a great starting point. Mitsutoge is the generic name for a group of mountains...
Honzawa Onsen 本澤温泉 – Mt. Tengu 天狗岳 – Shibunoyu 渋の湯 . . Enjoy Some of Yatsugatake Best Hiking This hike is almost a reverse offering of my previous trip to Yatsugatake a couple of years back, with difference being this time starting a...
Kougen Hut 高原ヒュッテ – Mt. Kentoku 乾徳山 – Mt. Douman 道満山 . . Spectacular 360-degree Panorama from Mount Kentoku If there was ever a mountain sorely overlooked in Kyuya Fukada’s famous Japanese mountain list its Mount Kentoku as it includes some of the...
Mt. Buko 武甲山 . . Mt. Buko’s Scarred Facade Unmasks an Impressive Backdrop My first glimpse of Mount Buko’s chiselled veneer was on the way to Mount Kumotori last year and if it hadn’t been pointed out, I would have quickly dismissed the...
Mt. Odake 大岳山 – Nokogiriyama 鋸山 . . One of the Three Famous Peaks of Okutama This hike introduces Mt. Odake 大岳山 another of the three famous peaks of Okutama along with Mt. Gozenyama and Mt. Mito. The trail’s convenience to Tokyo also makes it...