Walking in Japan travel tips
Jeremy Spencer from, Oku Japan, our leading supplier of walking vacations in Japan:
Money advice
“Take cash, as the Japanese banking system is actually a little behind. The post office ATMs do work with overseas cards, which is great. I got cash out from a remote spot on the Kumano Kodo trail, which is bonkers!”
What to pack
“Bring earplugs. If you are staying in a traditional Japanese accommodation, it could be that your room is only separated from the neighbouring room by sliding screens.”
Understanding the culture
“The codification of behaviour in Japanese society is based on very rigid codes of behaviour which deliver huge advantages to visitors. No one is going to pick your pockets, no taxi driver is going to take advantage of you. So it is a fine line between visitors appreciating the orderliness of everything, but also tolerating this when it goes overboard.”
Jim Eite, walking vacations in Japan expert from our supplier, Exodus:
Getting around
“We use trains for many of the transfers, so make sure your luggage is on wheels or easy to carry! The trains are excellent and easy to use. If you want to extend your time in Japan, ensure you get a Japanese Railpass – they are great value (versus buying tickets locally), the trains are easy to use and run like clockwork”.
Food tips
“Try the food. Most diets can be catered for, but if you are gluten free/vegetarian, write down a few phrases (or print them off in Japanese Kanji script) to explain to restaurants if away from the group. Soy sauce is a staple ingredient in a lot of dishes, and even sushi rice, while many vegetarian dishes will have a miso base.”
Health & safety
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Our Japan walking Vacations
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
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
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
Nakasendo Trail walking tour, Japan
Village-to-village walking on the historic Nakasendo trail
From
US $4420
12 days
ex flights
Nikko and Yumoto Onsen walking tour, Japan
Explore Nikko and hike in the beautiful Oku Nikko plains.
From
US $1255 to US $2235
4 days
ex flights
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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Tips from our travelers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travelers are often... other travelers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful Japan travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful Japan travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.
The most memorable part of the vacation was walking through remote woods and forests on the Nakasendo trail and coming across ancient shrines and stonework commemorating centuries old samurai battles.![]()
– Liz Bashford
“Make sure you take every opportunity to walk. The two long walks are both, for different reasons, outstanding experiences. They're not talked up in the notes nearly as well as they should be.” – David McRae on a self guided Nakasendo Trail vacation
“All of it was good. The highlight might have been the first sight of the Golden Temple in Kyoto, or the first proper Japanese meal. As it is primarily a walking vacation through woods, I would recommend one takes good walking boots and a stick.” – John Brennan walking the Kumano Kodo Trail
“Although there are ATMs in Japanese cities, they do not accept non Japanese debit cards even where the Visa sign is displayed. So either take cash, or look for 7/eleven stores whose shop ATMs oddly do accept them! For vegan / vegetarian travelers the local inns will be able to better accommodate your diet if planned in advance. Finding vegan restaurants in cities is tricky even with the address but the address is in English and the street /restaurant signs are obviously in Japanese.” – Lisa Thompson
“All of it was good. The highlight might have been the first sight of the Golden Temple in Kyoto, or the first proper Japanese meal. As it is primarily a walking vacation through woods, I would recommend one takes good walking boots and a stick.” – John Brennan walking the Kumano Kodo Trail
“Although there are ATMs in Japanese cities, they do not accept non Japanese debit cards even where the Visa sign is displayed. So either take cash, or look for 7/eleven stores whose shop ATMs oddly do accept them! For vegan / vegetarian travelers the local inns will be able to better accommodate your diet if planned in advance. Finding vegan restaurants in cities is tricky even with the address but the address is in English and the street /restaurant signs are obviously in Japanese.” – Lisa Thompson
The monastery at Koya San is not centrally heated, but very efficient kerosene heaters are provided. It is not as basic as was anticipated.![]()
– Gill Berry
“Do it!… Hiking the Nakasendo trail, seeing smaller towns, and staying at the ryokan in Kiso-Fukushima were extraordinary…But, don't carry a heavy pack; the trail can be challenging. Use the luggage courier services and train station lockers when possible.” – Vanda Galen
“Take your time on the walks - it's an easy schedule.” – Liz Bashford on a self guided Nakasendo Trail vacation
“The welcome, onsen bath surroundings were great and the cuisine though vegetarian was superb”. – Gill Berry on a self guided Nakasendo Trail vacation
“Take your time on the walks - it's an easy schedule.” – Liz Bashford on a self guided Nakasendo Trail vacation
“The welcome, onsen bath surroundings were great and the cuisine though vegetarian was superb”. – Gill Berry on a self guided Nakasendo Trail vacation
More about Japan walking
It has exquisite qualities all year round really, so when trying to work out the best time to go walking in Japan, there are two times to be wary of.
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.
