Self guided hikes in Japan?
November 19, 2015 2:34 PM Subscribe
Next summer, a friend of mine and I will be traveling in Japan. We would like to do a combination of cultural tourism and hiking, so our preference would be to choose bases from which it would be easy to do day hikes. Our preference is for longer and/or more strenuous day hikes. Where should we go?
It seems as though there is a lot to choose from in Japan in this regard, but is one area better than the other? Will our complete lack of Japanese be a big problem if we stay in national parks or on the edges of hiking areas? Are the trails usually well marked enough for this kind of itinerary, or would you recommend a guide?
Any other things to watch out for?
We will do some city days as well, but those we can plan ourselves, but if there are combinations areas-- hiking areas which are close to cities worth visiting, then that would be good to know too.
It seems as though there is a lot to choose from in Japan in this regard, but is one area better than the other? Will our complete lack of Japanese be a big problem if we stay in national parks or on the edges of hiking areas? Are the trails usually well marked enough for this kind of itinerary, or would you recommend a guide?
Any other things to watch out for?
We will do some city days as well, but those we can plan ourselves, but if there are combinations areas-- hiking areas which are close to cities worth visiting, then that would be good to know too.
My wife and I did a hike between Magome and Tsumago on the old Nakasendo Road the nobles traveled in feudal times. The hike is not strenuous (about 8km), but the towns are restored to their Edo period appearance, and you can stay at a minshuku, which I highly recommend. There is even a baggage forwarding service. The route is itself very beautiful, and we didn't see very many tourists at all, especially when we stayed overnight. When I think back to my Japan vacation, this is the part that really stayed with me.
posted by Kafkaesque at 3:40 PM on November 19, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by Kafkaesque at 3:40 PM on November 19, 2015 [6 favorites]
There are decent hikes in and around Kyoto which would be perfect for day hikes:
Hieisan
Hirasan
In the north-east of the city you can hike between the towns of Kibune and Kurama, and farther to Ohara if you like.
Fushimi Inarii or Daigo temple (more long walks up hills than a hike)
Because Kyoto is surrounded by mountains on three sides there is a lot of scope for day hikes, and very often they will end up with you starting or finishing at some really old temple or shrine.
While a lot of these hikes won't be too technically challenging, Kyoto in the summer is very hot and humid, which will do a pretty good job of sapping energy from you.
Lonely Planet has a guidebook on hiking in Japan. The route descriptions were fairly sparse but it gave an idea of what was out there, presumably you'd then buy actual maps for the area you wanted to go to.
If you go to Wakayama then you can go hiking on the Kumano Kodo, which is a set of ancient roads. Tours will take you there to walk up and down a small section but there are 3 multi-day hiking routes if you want to go that far.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 3:49 PM on November 19, 2015 [1 favorite]
Hieisan
Hirasan
In the north-east of the city you can hike between the towns of Kibune and Kurama, and farther to Ohara if you like.
Fushimi Inarii or Daigo temple (more long walks up hills than a hike)
Because Kyoto is surrounded by mountains on three sides there is a lot of scope for day hikes, and very often they will end up with you starting or finishing at some really old temple or shrine.
While a lot of these hikes won't be too technically challenging, Kyoto in the summer is very hot and humid, which will do a pretty good job of sapping energy from you.
Lonely Planet has a guidebook on hiking in Japan. The route descriptions were fairly sparse but it gave an idea of what was out there, presumably you'd then buy actual maps for the area you wanted to go to.
If you go to Wakayama then you can go hiking on the Kumano Kodo, which is a set of ancient roads. Tours will take you there to walk up and down a small section but there are 3 multi-day hiking routes if you want to go that far.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 3:49 PM on November 19, 2015 [1 favorite]
You might look into doing the 88 temple pilgrimage on Shikoku.
posted by davejh at 6:25 PM on November 19, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by davejh at 6:25 PM on November 19, 2015 [1 favorite]
Hiking in Japan is a website created by an English instructor originally from Virginia.
posted by mogget at 8:19 PM on November 19, 2015
posted by mogget at 8:19 PM on November 19, 2015
Fushimi Inari is beautiful, but only once you get past the plethora of tourists around the lower walking area to really be able to enjoy the path. It's quite beautiful, though not strenuous.
posted by ovenmitt at 9:08 PM on November 19, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by ovenmitt at 9:08 PM on November 19, 2015 [1 favorite]
I landed in Osaka- stayed with a friend of a friend and had a great night. Then I took the shinkansen (sp?) down south to kitakyushu (I think) and then south staying in Himeshime island, Beppu and headed to Mount Kuju- there's a great hike to an onsen 'resort' there. Despite knowing 0 japanese and having no idea how to interpret the signs that showed up on train or bus stations, it all went spectacularly. I *highly* recommend getting away from the cities. If I had more time or go back I'll probably head to the north island of Hokkaido - but that's a long way from the big cities.
posted by mrzz at 9:16 PM on November 19, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by mrzz at 9:16 PM on November 19, 2015 [2 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by lizbunny at 2:38 PM on November 19, 2015 [1 favorite]