A walking holiday in Japan, self-guided or private, is an excellent way to experience real Japan at your own pace. Even though Japan is often renowned for its cultural and high-tech cities, one component is frequently forgotten — mountains! Not simply mountains, but also self-guided treks, trails, hikes, and so on through these craggy peaks. Japan has some of the top hiking spots in the world, with breathtaking vistas that make the effort worthwhile.
The fact that two-thirds of Japan is made up of mountains is frequently overshadowed by the rest of what Japan has to offer. Whilst visiting Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto comes highly recommended; nothing beats stepping off a train deep in the mountains –especially, after a few days in the bustle of a Japanese city– and witnessing the profound silence. Trekking helps you slow down, enjoy the country lifestyle, and see a more traditional side of Japan while stopping in some of the most picturesque homestays you’ve ever seen.
Japan offers some of the best world’s top walking paths. There is truly no limit to the beauty and scenery available in Japan, from volcanoes to historic pathways, paths for those looking for an intense thrill and trails for those looking for a village to village walking or a peaceful trek. As always, some of the finest places in the world are off the beaten path.
Whether you’re planning ten days or two weeks in Japan to immerse yourself in Japanese culture, or you’ve decided to spend some of your Japanese holiday getting away from the rush of city life, be sure to allow yourself enough time to see the Japanese countryside.
In Japan, you never know what you’ll discover; you could be lucky enough to come across an erupting volcano or an ancient pagoda. It might be challenging to narrow down a prospective list with so many alternatives; that’s why we have created this list of the three best walking holidays in Japan, designed by our Local Designers.
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3 Perfect Itineraries for a Walking Holiday in Japan
Our Local Designers are experts when it comes to planning unique trips. These three itineraries outline three different ways you can embark on a walking holiday in Japan. Each and every itinerary is customisable to suit you, or if you know what you’re looking for, you can design your Japan trip from scratch in a few steps!
3-Day Shikoku Ohenro Pilgrimage Walking Tour
Traditionally undertaken solely by monks, the Shikoku Pilgrimage Trail was popularised by broader society in the late 1700s and is among the most profound experiences you can have. Every year, around 100,000 individuals participate in this walk! The complete pilgrim route is 750 miles long and takes two months to walk; however, we understand that this is not feasible for most people, so we designed a tour that centres on the best parts of the trail.
This Japan walking tour begins and ends in Takamatsu, offering calm rural wandering through a select of Shikoku’s 88 temples. You’ll follow pathways to important Buddhist temples and become an ‘Ohenro-San,’ the title given to Shikoku pilgrims. Throughout the journey, you’ll retire each night at typical Ryokan guesthouses to fully immerse in Japanese culture, complete with natural spring baths and authentic local hospitality.
Completing a trek to the Shikoku shrines and walking with the other ‘Ohenro-San’ is an incredible opportunity to discover rural Japan and absorb the rituals of this lovely region. During the trek, you might get invited into the homes of individuals who live along the path for a nourishing bowl of udon.
There are a variety of ways to design a Shikoku Pilgrimage tour. Joining an organised, self-guided trip provides the perfect mix: plenty of autonomy in terms of walking pace and decisions on where to relax or eat, with the addition of organised accommodation, 24-hour on-the-ground support, and guidance on public transportation as needed. With this in mind, this three-day Shikoku walking tour is perfect.
If you would like to spend more than three days in Shikoku, you can design your own trip with our Local Designers in Japan or customise a longer trip like this 6-Day Nature Lovers Tour of Shikoku.
Our Local Designers suggest April (cherry blossom season) and October (foliage) for the Shikoku Pilgrimage as these are the prettiest months when the scenery is breathtaking and the weather is mild.
Any tour in our gallery can be fully customised to suit you, including this one! See this itinerary in full and click customise to begin planning your dream trip to Japan!
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10-Day Private Ohenro Tour with Kochi, Iya and Takamatsu
Kochi Prefecture is located on the southern side of Shikoku, Japan’s fourth-biggest island. The region has some of Japan’s most pristine natural areas and rural towns with beautifully-kept local traditions. Kochi is a superb representation of rural Japanese life: the calm, self-sufficient culture of a society affluent in spiritual practices, where the rhythm of existence is inextricably linked to the changes of the seasons. Kochi is a terrific location for anyone looking for a hidden side of Japan far from the masses, thanks to its rich topography of rivers, mountains, coastlines, and valleys.
Stroll across the region, via Kochi’s winding paths, to experience the numerous coastal, alpine, and riverfront towns along the route, all the way to Cape Ashizuri at Shikoku Island’s extreme southernmost tip. You’ll spend a night at a one-of-a-kind Japanese inn, quaint and charming, where you’ll feel the essence of the Kochi region.
During this 10-day Japan itinerary, you will follow the footsteps of Kobo Daishi, a Japanese Buddhist monk who founded Shingon Buddhism in Japan and created this pilgrim route, visiting some of the 88 shrines on the Shikoku Ohenro pilgrimage circuit.
Walking the pilgrimage path will lead you to a spiritual core of Japan that visitors to Japan usually overlook. You will understand the history and tales behind each temple you visit, with a blend of peaceful walks and challenging treks.
Though you will experience the majority of your stay in Japan’s natural scenery, including an onsen visit, you will also explore the cities of Kochi, Tokushima, and Kagawa to absorb the bustling life of Japanese cities.
If you are seeking more of a thrill in the form of canyoning and cycling experiences, check out this 2-Day Taste of the Kochi Outdoors tour.
Any tour in our gallery can be fully customised to suit you, including this one! See this itinerary in full and click customise to begin planning your dream trip to Japan!
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4-Day Nikko National Park Exploration from Tokyo
Nikko National Park lays the foundations of some of Japan’s most incredible self-guided walking holidays. Nikko is packed with historical and cultural monuments, including the Toshogu Shrine and the thermal springs village of Yumoto, which is ideal for relaxing your muscles after a few days on the route.
Hiking routes wind through forests and along the banks of calm rivers, passing tiny settlements, lakes, cascades, and thermal springs. You will most likely spot deer and monkeys on your route, as they are common on the Oku Nikko plains. You will have plenty of time to take in vistas of Mount Mitsudake and Mount Orogura, as well as waterfalls such as Ryuzu and Yudaki.
Nikko is recognised among the most picturesque parks in the country and gives walkers a unique opportunity to experience traditional, rural Japan while immersed in culture and traditions.
The most beautiful monuments in the Toshogu Shrine complex are the five-storey pagoda beside the main entrance and the ornate Yomeimon Gate. A museum houses the shogun’s possessions, such as weapons, clothing, and private correspondence, as well as a solemn tomb. Tokugawa is revered as a strategic genius, which undoubtedly contributed to his dynasty’s longevity and security. The Futuarasan-jinja and Rinnji temples, which form the rest of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the red Sacred Bridge that spans the Daiya River, are considered to be some of Japan’s most beautiful landmarks.
You will for sure love the Oze Marshlands, located in a magma valley enclosed by the Nikko Mountains. Not only it’s a World phenomena to see but also are they now brimming with mountain flora and wild birds. You also can’t miss the Kegon Falls, which at 97 metres, are one of Japan’s tallest waterfalls. And if you love to add some good portion of wellness to your walking trips, make sure to put Lake Chuzenji on your list. This lake was formed by a volcanic activity centuries ago and is currently a favourite tourist resort for its thermal springs and splendid foliage. This 4-day Nikko National Park trip has it all included in the itinerary.
Any tour in our gallery can be fully customised to suit you, including this one! See this itinerary in full and click customise to begin planning your dream trip to Japan!
Customise This Nikko National Park Itinerary!
Ready To Book Your Walking Holiday in Japan?
Designing your walking tour in Japan with one of our Local Designers will take the stress out of planning your perfect trip and turn it into a delightful, engaging experience. Our in-destination Local Designers know their destinations inside and out; they are specialists when it comes to trip planning.
Simply explore our gallery of fully customisable Japan tours or design your own Japan tour from scratch including numerous unique local experiences, the top trails, and must see sights! Our Local Designers are reading and waiting to plan your perfect trip.
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