hiking
Himeji Castle is always an obvious point of conversation when people discuss Himeji. But, if you’re looking for an adventure a little off the beaten path, pay a visit to Engyoji Temple on Mount Shosha. Mount Shosha isn’t a widely known mountain and generally doesn’t attract many travelers. This makes it an exceptionally peaceful location to enjoy Japan’s lush nature and elaborate temple grounds. Visitors can leisurely view incredible fall foliage during the autumn season without the crowds. Engyoji TempleEngyoji Temple boasts over a thousand years of its legacy and is one of Japan’s best-kept ...
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The Magome-Tsumago or Nakasendo trail is an eight-kilometer hike that can be completed at a leisurely pace in under two hours. It starts in the town of Magome in Gifu Prefecture and crosses into Nagano Prefecture through an area known as the Kiso Valley. To see the hiking trail at its most scenic, spring and autumn are the best seasons to go. Magome is built in the hills above Nakatsugawa city and commands a gorgeous view of the city and farmlands. The trail is a patterned cobblestone path winds its way up through the town’s restored Edo-period promenade. The main street features an old water ...
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Shinrinyoku (forest bathing) is a part of Japanese culture and has become a relaxation and stress management activity in Japan. “Therapy Roads” are locations with forests experts have evaluated as physically and mentally beneficial for human health. They can be found all around Japan. They are perfect for hiking, whether you’re an expert or just a beginner. A city in the mid-western part of Hyogo Prefecture, Shiso was certified as the first forest therapy base in 2015 by the NPO Forest Therapy Society. The low population density makes Shiso a superb shelter for the prefecture’s three distingui...
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Around 70% of Japan is covered by mountains. The country is also home to 34 national parks, hosting dozens of hiking trails offering diverse scenery. In Hokkaido, you will find true wilderness, whereas central Japan, particularly Nagano, features some of the highest peaks in Japan and offers alpine-style hiking and climbing experience. Among all the hiking regions in Japan, Kyushu—the land of fire— is the one that always stood out for me. Home to dozens of volcanoes, including Japan’s largest active volcano—Mount Aso—the relatively easy hiking trails of Kyushu always guarantees mesmerizing sce...
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I am no seasoned hiker by any means, but on my recent trip to Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, I wanted to avoid the temples, brave the wilds and imitate adventurous outdoorsy types. So I mapped out a route and prepared for Japan’s great outdoors. Unfortunately, I failed to notice that my trek ended with impenetrable mountains and was only accessible by road. I had also neglected another essential thing—bus times. Thus, by sunset, my partner and I were stranded on one side of Lake Chuzenji. It didn’t help that this was in bear territory. Thankfully, a shining slither of phone signal was enough to ca...
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Mountain Day is a holiday for the sole purpose of giving you time to appreciate Japan’s mountains. What better way to celebrate the occasion than a hike up some of the best that the country has to offer? Of course, there’s Mt. Fuji, but to only have climbed Fuji during your time in Japan is a shame. Hundreds of other peaks provide drop-dead gorgeous views, are more accessible and are located just around the corner from wherever you are—no matter what prefecture you’re in. Let’s start with five of them. Here are five incredible mountains to hike in Japan. 1. Mount Shibutsu, GunmaIf you’re up fo...
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Japan’s next national holiday is Mountain Day on August 8 (and observed on the 9th). Although technically celebrated on August 11, the date was changed to correspond with the 2020 Summer Olympics. It’s a day to reflect on Japan’s numerous majestic mountains, peaks and ranges. You can read more about Mountain Day and catch up on your Japanese on our study site, GaijinPot Study. Love hiking and mountains? Check out some of our favorite articles and get to climbing: https://blog.gaijinpot.com/hiking-to-nageiredo-japans-most-dangerous-temple/https://blog.gaijinpot.com/japan-wanderlust-6-amazing-mo...
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If you’re a lover of dramatic alpine scenery, you really need to make the trip out to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, a path traversing the Northern Japan Alps in central Japan. The whole route is an impressive 90 kilometers, stretching from Tateyama Station in Toyama Prefecture to Shinano-Omachi station in neighboring Nagano Prefecture, climbing to an elevation of 3,015 meters as it crosses the peak of Mount Tateyama. This spectacular route can be traversed via ropeways and cable cars, so children and those who are not avid hikers can also enjoy its incredible scenery. Each point where you ...
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It’s been a scary year, and everyone is looking for an escape. We asked our readers to vote for their top 10 travel destinations in Japan for 2021 (once travel is safe again), and these are their picks. Each destination highlights an escape from busy tourist spots and everyday life for a chance to reflect and get back in touch with nature or even discover the heart of communities in rural and small-town Japan. If you’re traveling to one of these destinations, we want to hear about it. Tag us on social media with #GaijinPotTravel.
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The Kansai region is seven prefectures: Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Shiga. Depending on the region’s location, the peak times for Koyo will be slightly different, but most leaves will change throughout November. Many popular tourist spots have a special nighttime illumination, which will enhance the koyo experience. They’re highly worth seeing despite the crowds—especially in Kyoto.Tag us on InstagramIf you travel to one of these spots, use #GaijinPotTravel on your Instagram photos for a chance to be featured in our Top 10 Reader’s Photos of the Month!
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