Best Spring Hikes in Japan

With over 12,000 mountains across Japan, it’s no surprise that plenty of locals and international visitors alike love to hike. One of Japan’s most iconic symbols is also Mount Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan, which has deep religious connections and has many shrines and temples at its base. In the 1960s, a book of Japan’s 100 most famous mountains was written by Japanese alpinist Kyuya Fukada. While the book is a good place to start for potential hikes, many other impressive mountains aren’t featured. During spring, taller peaks will still be covered in snow, which can be fun for adventure seekers, but plenty of snowless peaks may even have cherry blossoms during April and May. In this guide, we share some of the best spring hikes in Japan.

Mount Oyama is a sacred site and home to Oyama Afuri Shrine. It also serves as an excellent mountain for hikers of all levels. From Isehara Station, you can take a 30-minute bus to the Oyama cable car stop, where you can either board the cable car or hike up. The cable car has two stops: the first leading to Oyama Temple and the second to the upper Afuri Shrine Station.

From Afuri Shrine Station, you’ll have to hike up to reach the summit, where the inner sanctum is. For those hiking the whole way, it takes roughly four hours. At certain sections on the mountain, look out for signs marked for beginners if you’re looking for a more relaxed path. During spring, several cherry trees that are said to be over 400 years old bloom near the shrine.

The lowest peak in “Japan’s 100 Most Famous Mountains” is Mount Tsukuba, located in Ibaraki Prefecture. It can be reached in about 1.5 hours from Tokyo. With its low elevation, the mountain is climbable in all seasons. Mount Tsukuba comprises two peaks, Mount Nyotai and Mount Nantai. Depending on your hiking level, there are several ways to get to the summit.

For a more challenging hike, take the Miyukigahara course, which takes you on a 10-minute detour for Mount Nantai. For an easier course, you can hike the Shirokumobashi course, which brings you to Mount Nyotai first. The two peaks are a 30-minute hike from each other. Interesting stone structures can be seen throughout the mountain, and several shrines are located at the peaks and base of the hill. A cable car and a ropeway are available for a more leisurely exploration.

Mount Hachimantai, another of “Japan’s 100 Most Famous Mountains”, is located on the border of Iwate Prefecture and Akita Prefecture. The mountain is part of the Towada-Hachimantai National Park and is one of the easier hikes in the park, with one of the most rewarding sights. To get here, take the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Morioka Station and catch a bus to the Hachimantai Rest House.

From the resthouse, there is a two-hour loop course which takes you past Hachimanuma Pond and Gamanuma Pond. The wooden platforms built on the course make it easy to get around. During the hike, you’ll also go up Mount Gentamori and Mount Hachimantai. Kagaminuma Pond, toward the end of the hike, is best seen in late spring, when the lake is said to look like the eye of a colossal dragon due to the melting snow. If you come in early spring, snowshoes may be necessary.

Spanning across Kumamoto and Oita Prefectures, you won’t want to miss hiking in Aso-Kuju National Park. The Aso Caldera is one of the country’s largest calderas. In the region, there are five famous peaks you can climb, including Mount Takadake, Mount Nakadake, Mount Nekodake, Mount Eboshidake, and Mount Kishimadake. For those looking to hike Mount Nakadake, which has more challenging trails, make sure to check the volcanic activity status, as it is still active.

In the Kuju Mountains, Mount Taisen and Mount Inaboshi are some of the more well-known mountains. Taking the local bus will bring you to the trailheads of the mountains, but renting a car is recommended to get around the national park.

Cherry blossoms are a sign of spring in Japan; you might consider going on a hike to see them. Mount Hikarujo provides a spectacular view of cherry blossoms and is an easy 40- to 60-minute hike to the top. To get to the trailhead, take a 10-minute train from Matsumoto Station to Tazawa Station and walk 40 minutes to the start. Signs labeled “sakura course” as you climb guide you to see some of the best cherry blossom views. As you continue to hike up, you’ll also see beautiful snow-capped mountains of the Northern Alps in the distance. The peak is spacious, so we recommend bringing food and drinks to picnic at the top and enjoy the spring season.

The Kumano Kodo is a network of trails with strong spiritual ties and should be on the list of any passionate hiker. While there are buses that run on some of the routes to make it more doable for day-hikers, many of the trails are multi-day hikes that take you through the lush and green scenery of Wakayama Prefecture, or trails that take you along the rocky coast.

For any route, it’s essential to research and pack accordingly, as some towns do not have convenience stores/places to eat. The most popular route is the Nakahechi route, which goes from west to east of Wakayama and takes about four to five days. Some points you won’t want to miss during your hike are Kumano Hongu Taisha, Nachi Taisha, and Kumano Hayatama Taisha.