When to go walking in Japan
Mount Yarigatake is nicknamed Ginza on August weekends, as it can get as crammed as the famous Tokyo district. Saturdays are definitely not sacred mountain time.![]()
The Japanese love to hike, so stay clear of big vacations such as New Year or Golden Week. The rainy season mid-May-end June is never extreme. And the Kumano Kodo feels even more ethereal in the mist. Similarly, #nofilter needed in Nikko NP in autumn, when leaf colours are verging on Vermont. For hiking Dewa Sanzan, only Mt. Haguro is accessible all year. Mt. Gassan is closed autumn-early summer, and Mt. Yudono autumn-spring. Fuji is only for summer summit seekers.
Walking in Japan month by month guide
Our Japan walking Vacations
Nakasendo Trail walking tour, Japan
Village-to-village walking on the historic Nakasendo trail
From
US $4420
12 days
ex flights
Honshu hiking vacation in Japan
A challenging walking and hiking vacation in Japan.
From
US $4538
17 days
ex flights
Kumano Kodo trekking vacation, Japan
Village to village walking in the sacred Kii Peninsula
From
US $3395
9 days
ex flights
Japan self guided trekking vacation, Nakasendo Trail
Self-guided walking along Japan’s ancient Nakasendo trail
From
US $1040 to US $1845
5 days
ex flights
Kumano Kodo trail self guided trekking vacation, Japan
Self guided trekking on the Kumano Kodo Trail
From
US $1070 to US $1445
6 days
ex flights
Shikoku Pilgrimage self guided walking tour, Japan
Shikoku 88 Pilgimage route self-guided walking
From
US $1395 to US $2650
10 days
ex flights
Nakasendo trail Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
-6
4
57
FEB
-6
5
64
MAR
-3
9
85
APR
4
17
104
MAY
9
22
108
JUN
14
25
191
JUL
19
28
203
AUG
20
30
124
SEP
15
25
181
OCT
7
18
98
NOV
1
13
69
DEC
-4
7
49
Our top Japan walking Vacation
Nakasendo Trail walking tour, Japan
Village-to-village walking on the historic Nakasendo trail
From
US $4420
12 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2023: 13 Apr, 11 May, 16 May, 6 Jun, 12 Sep, 25 Sep, 3 Oct, 13 Oct, 29 Oct, 5 Nov, 12 Nov
2023: 13 Apr, 11 May, 16 May, 6 Jun, 12 Sep, 25 Sep, 3 Oct, 13 Oct, 29 Oct, 5 Nov, 12 Nov
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Japan walking or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
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Responsible Travel recommends
Jim Eide, Japan walking vacations specialist from our supplier Exodus:
“You can only climb Fuji between 1st July and early September. I prefer late August to early September as you get a lot more autumnal colours which make the lakes around Fuji and the Alps spectacular.”
“You can only climb Fuji between 1st July and early September. I prefer late August to early September as you get a lot more autumnal colours which make the lakes around Fuji and the Alps spectacular.”
Jeremy Spencer of one of our suppliers, Oku Japan:
“People think cherry blossom marks the end of spring, but I think it marks the end of winter. And most of Japan is still very dried out and brown at the end of March-April, which is the cherry blossom season. Whereas in May, new lush green growth is coming through. If, like me, you are interested in plants and flowers, the cherry blossom is a bit of a red herring.”
“People think cherry blossom marks the end of spring, but I think it marks the end of winter. And most of Japan is still very dried out and brown at the end of March-April, which is the cherry blossom season. Whereas in May, new lush green growth is coming through. If, like me, you are interested in plants and flowers, the cherry blossom is a bit of a red herring.”
More about Japan walking
This walking vacations in Japan guide opens up a world of ancient long distance walking trails, summits seeking opportunities as well as city walking tours.
From the iconic Nakasendo and Kumano Kodo long distance walking trails to the top of Mount Fuji, and then back down to sea level on Shikoku Island’s pilgrimage trails, you can walk your bamboo socks off in Japan.
This was 500km of feudal forays through mountains and valley, along ridges and through ancient forests.
Over 250km of hiking from shrine to shrine, temple to temple, the Kumano Kodo walking trail is like a journey through Japan’s spiritual history.
The epic Shikoku Pilgrimage trail loops around the smallest of Japan’s major islands, taking in dozens of temples and offering the faithful a path to enlightenment.
Walking vacations in Honshu are a fantastic way to delve deeper into the culture and traditions, especially in rural areas, of Japan’s largest island.
Walking vacations in Nikko and Yumoto Onsen explore some of Japan’s most attractive landscapes, north of Tokyo in a national park that is renowned for the seasonal colours of its foliage.
The biggest walking in Japan travel tip is to start reading all about it as soon as you can.
