If you are looking for a way to immerse yourself in nature and explore the majestic beauty of Japan, mountain climbing is a perfect choice. Japan has a wide variety of mountain climbing routes, from easy routes for beginners to more challenging ones for adventure enthusiasts.
In this article, JNTO will introduce you to 5 easy but equally interesting mountain climbing journeys for beginners – an ideal start for you to enter the world of nature lovers and explorers!
1. Experience nature at Daisetsuzan National Park – Hokkaido
Daisetsuzan National Park, located in central Hokkaido, is a popular destination for mountaineering and hiking enthusiasts. Known as the “roof of Hokkaido”, it is famous for its impressive mountain peaks, especially Mount Asahidake, which stands at 2,291 meters.
Daisetsuzan has many mountain climbing routes with different lengths and levels of difficulty, meeting the needs of all visitors. For beginners, the 1.6 km long Sugatami Lake route is the most suitable choice. Here, you can enjoy the majestic view of the mountain ranges surrounding the clear lake and the steam rising from the craters, providing a fascinating and enchanting natural experience.
The best time to visit Daisetsuzan is from mid-July to late September, when the weather is cool and pleasant. In summer, you will be able to admire the vast grasslands and the brilliant colors of rare flowers found only in the high mountains of Japan. When autumn comes, the scenery here becomes brilliant with red and yellow leaves, creating an impressive natural picture.
Getting to Daisetsuzan is also very convenient, you can easily take the train from Sapporo or Asahikawa. The Asahidake Visitor Center here provides full useful information about the routes, weather forecasts and maps, helping you best prepare for your hiking trip.
Daisetsuzan National Park not only challenges mountain climbing enthusiasts but is also a great place to immerse yourself in the wild beauty of nature and enjoy the peace that is hard to find in urban areas.
■ Ideal mountain climbing season: Mid-July to late September
■ Duration of the trip: From about 60 minutes or more
■ Level rating:
Skill: ★★☆☆☆
Physical strength: ★★☆☆☆
Equipment: ★★☆☆☆
URL: https://www.daisetsuzan.or.jp/ (Japanese)
2. Nakasendo Historic Route – Gifu Prefecture and Nagano Prefecture
In Japanese, Nakasendo means “Mountain Road”, and was once one of five main routes connecting Edo (present-day Tokyo) with Kyoto, 534 km long.
Although most of the original route has been lost to modern times, there are still some extremely well-preserved sections, typically the 8km-long route between the ancient town of Magome-juku (Gifu Prefecture) and the ancient town of Tsumago-juku (Nagano Prefecture), which takes about 3 hours to conquer. This route consists of 2 parts, 1 part of the road in the town and 1 part of the trail in the forest, attracting many tourists who love hiking with beautiful scenery and majestic nature.
You can start the trek from Magome-juku (Gifu Prefecture) or from the opposite direction, Tsumago-juku (Nagano Prefecture), but many people prefer to start from Magome-juku because most of the trek is downhill and easier to walk.
Therefore, the starting point of today’s journey will be Magome-juku in Gifu Prefecture!
Starting from the old town of Magome-juku, you can see along both sides of the road traditional wooden houses that have been renovated into teahouses, souvenir shops and other unique stopping places.
Continuing on your journey, you will pass through cobblestone trails surrounded by cedar forests, dense bamboo forests, and majestic mountain valleys. Along the way, you will also encounter roadside statues of Ksitigarbha Jizo – the Bodhisattva who protects travelers. Don’t worry too much! The clear and easy-to-understand signs are placed along the way, helping you navigate easily and avoid getting lost.
At the end of the journey, you will arrive at Tsumago-juku in Nagano Prefecture, one of the oldest and best-preserved post towns in Japan. Here, don’t forget to enjoy unique local cuisine at cozy restaurants, visit local izakayas, buy traditional souvenirs for loved ones, or stay overnight at a ryokan for a deeper experience of Japanese culture.
■ Ideal time for mountain climbing: Late June to November
■ Trip duration: About 3 hours
■ Level rating:
Skill: ★☆☆☆☆
Physical strength: ★☆☆☆☆
Equipment: ★★☆☆☆
URL: https://hikesinjapan.yamakei-online.com/course/184.php
3. Mountain climbing journey at Tokyo’s most famous mountain, Mount Takao
Mount Takao, 599 meters high, located west of Tokyo, is one of Japan’s most famous and accessible peaks and is only about 50 minutes by train from central Tokyo.
With its wild beauty and convenient access, Mount Takao is an ideal destination for those who want to escape from urban life and immerse themselves in nature. There are many diverse mountain climbing routes such as Omotesando (trail 1), Kasumidai (trail 2), Katsura Forest (trail 3), Suspension Bridge (trail 4)… in which trail 1 “Omotesando” is the most popular choice, especially suitable for beginners.
The “Omotesando” trail is about 3.8 km long, mostly paved and stepped, making it easy to reach the summit in just over an hour and a half. Along the way, you will pass by the Mt. Takao Monkey Park, where you can stop for a while to watch the monkeys climbing and playing. In addition to the beautiful natural scenery, there is also the ancient Takaosan Yakuoin Temple with a history of more than 1,300 years. This is one of the most important spiritual spots in the area, especially in autumn when the red leaves cover it, creating an impressive scene.
On a clear day, you can enjoy panoramic views of Tokyo and the majestic Mount Fuji from the observation deck at the top of the mountain. Before ending your trip, you can visit the Gokurakuyu Keio Takaosan Hot Springs right next to Takaosanguchi Station to take a relaxing soak after a long day of hiking.
Mount Takao is truly a must-see hike for anyone looking to explore natural beauty right in the heart of Tokyo’s urban area.
■ Ideal time for mountain climbing: September to late November
■ Trip duration: About 1 hour 40 minutes
■ Level rating:
Skill: ★☆☆☆☆
Physical fitness: ★☆☆☆☆
Equipment: ★☆☆☆☆
URL: https://www.takaotozan.co.jp/ (Japanese)
4. Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route – Wakayama Prefecture
The Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route is one of the most sacred routes in the world. The entire pilgrimage route is made up of seven trails. In 2024, the route and the sacred mountains in the area were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, visitors to the Kumano Kodo come not only to enjoy a magical walk in nature, but also to experience moments of silence and to learn more about Japan’s spiritual history.
Source: IG@ qoo.inc
The Kumano Kodo Trail consists of several different routes, each offering a unique experience. The most popular route is the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi. It is approximately 105 km long and typically takes around six days to complete, depending on the walking speed and rest periods of each person. It is the main route to access the three most sacred and famous shrines in the area, collectively known as the Kumano Sanzan: Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine, Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine, and Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine.
However, for beginners, you can choose to experience the route from Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine to Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine (about 33 km long). Visitors can start their journey from Daimon-zaka bus stop and explore the area around Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine. The highlight of this area is Nachi Falls (Nachi no Taki), the tallest waterfall in Japan with a height of 133 meters. The water from the waterfall falls down the vertical rock face, creating a majestic and impressive scene that captivates anyone who sees it.
Seigantoji Temple, located near Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine, features a three-story, bright red pagoda that not only offers stunning views of Nachi Falls but is also an important stop on the pilgrimage route.
Along the way, if you want to experience the feeling of transforming into ancient pilgrims, visit the Daimonzaka-chaya rest stop. Here, visitors can rent ancient costumes from the Heian period (794 ~ 1185) to take photos and feel the atmosphere of the past centuries. This rest stop offers a variety of costumes for men, women and children, along with dedicated support from staff to ensure that the costumes are worn properly and appropriately.
Located about halfway along the route from Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine to Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine, Koguchi Village is an ideal overnight stop where visitors can relax and recharge for the rest of their journey.
The final stop on the pilgrimage route is Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine, a place of solemnity and spirituality that completes a memorable spiritual journey. This majestic shrine is nestled in the rugged mountains of Wakayama Prefecture, striking with its brown wood and surrounded by giant cedar and cypress trees. Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine is not only the end of the journey, but also a symbol of the connection between humans and gods in the Japanese pilgrimage tradition.
The Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Trail is not only famous for its sacred structures but also for its stunning natural beauty. Visitors will be able to admire ancient teahouses, lush cedar forests and stunning views of natural landscapes such as Nachi Bay and the Kumano Sea, creating an unforgettable pilgrimage experience.
■ Ideal time for mountain climbing: March to May, September to November
■ Duration of the journey: The Kumano Kodo Nakahechi route takes about 6 days to complete. However, for beginners, you can choose to experience the route from Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine to Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine with a duration of about 12.5 hours, divided into 2 days.
■ Level rating:
Skill: ★★☆☆☆
Physical strength: ★★★☆☆
Equipment: ★★☆☆☆
URL: https://www.tb-kumano.jp/en/kumano-kodo/
5. Mountain climbing route at Yakushima Island – Kagoshima Prefecture
Yakushima, an island located in the southern part of Kagoshima Prefecture, is a natural gem recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Site. Famous for its majestic primeval forests and diverse ecosystems, Yakushima is a paradise for those who love to explore nature. In particular, this place is also known for its ancient Yakusugi cedar trees that are thousands of years old.
With a variety of mountain climbing routes, suitable for all levels from easy to difficult, Yakushima is an ideal destination for hiking activities. The two most popular climbing areas, also suitable for beginners, are Yakusugi Land Park and Shiratani Unsuikyo Gorge.
Yakusugi Land is a majestic natural park located on the eastern side of Yakushima Island, named after the large number of yakusugi (cedar) trees that grow here. There are 5 mountain climbing courses for visitors to choose from depending on their ability, lasting from 30 minutes to 3.5 hours. The trails here are relatively flat and easy to follow, taking visitors through the primeval forest and admiring ancient cedar trees that are thousands of years old, encountering wild animals such as monkeys and deer.
Shiratani Unsuikyo Gorge is one of the most accessible natural parks on Yakushima Island, captivating visitors with its wild beauty and fairytale-like scenery. In particular, this place was once the inspiration for the famous animated film “Princess Mononoke” by Studio Ghibli.
The gorge has 3 different mountain climbing routes ranging from 2 km ~ 5.6 km long, depending on the route you choose, the journey can last from 1 to 4 hours. Along the way, visitors can enjoy the beautiful natural scenery with clear streams, ancient cedar trees, and characteristic green moss-covered rocks. Going deeper into this route, visitors will reach the giant Taiko-Iwa rock with a unique shape located in the center of the island, from here you can admire the majestic Yakushima island. If you have time to go to the end of the park, you can also admire the legendary Jomon Sugi cedar tree, which is the oldest and largest cedar tree in Yakushima with an age of more than 2000 years.
■ Ideal time for mountain climbing: April to June, September to November
■ Level rating:
Skill: ★★☆☆☆
Physical strength: ★★☆☆☆
Equipment: ★★☆☆☆
URL:
http://www.city.yakushima.kagoshima.jp/en/sightseeing-spots/sightseeingmountains/
Things to know before you start
- Choose the right route: Start with short, easy routes and gradually increase the difficulty as you get used to it.
- Check the weather: Keep an eye on the weather forecast to pack appropriate clothing and gear.
- Build up your stamina by walking, jogging or exercising regularly before you go.
- Learn about routes, basic survival skills.
- Join a tour or go with someone experienced: If you are not confident, join a tour or go with someone experienced for guidance and support.
- Prepare luggage including:
- Clothing: Sweat-wicking T-shirt, long pants, work shoes, hat, gloves.
- Personal items: Drinking water, snacks, flashlight, map, compass, personal male medication, insect repellent, personal first aid kit, sunscreen…
Conclusion
With 5 suggestions for ideal mountain climbing itineraries for beginners, JNTO hopes that you will find memorable experiences and deep connections with Japan’s wonderful nature. Whether you are new to mountain climbing or have a lot of experience, each route offers unique scenery and great opportunities for you to immerse yourself in nature and explore the beauty of new lands.
*** The rating levels in this article are based on the rating standards of Yama-kei Publishers Co., Ltd. Please refer to here for more information .