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    • Spring
      • video

        Finding the Flow from Kansai to Kochi

        Shikoku’s many mountains, valleys and proximity to the ocean has made it a hidden gem for rafting, kayaking and canyoning enthusiasts willing to take a step or two further from the Golden Route of Kyoto and Osaka.

        Solace and Giant Salamanders in Akiota

        Just beyond Hiroshima City is a tranquil outdoor destination home to some of Japan's last remaining oosanshouo, the elusive giant salamander.
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        The Oni Trail: Hiking Coastal Kyoto

        The mystical oni is prevalent in Japanese children’s stories, usually as a way to scare kids straight. Adventure Travel Kyoto is shedding a new light on this folklore and developing a new hiking route in the countryside of Kyoto.
    • Summer
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        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
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        Adventure Travel World Summit in Hokkaido

        The ATTA will host their first Adventure Travel World Summit in Asia in Hokkaido, Japan. We caught up with ATTA Director Shannon Stowell to find out more about the adventure travel industry and how it continues to grow and evolve.
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        The Sweet Secrets of Brewing Mead

        Wander into the world of mead brewing and find yourself immersed in a fascinating journey spanning centuries and continents.
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        The Knights in White Lycra

        Each year a group of cyclists head to the deep north towards Tohoku’s vast rice fields and coastal trails to help transform the lives of neglected children.
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        Sea to Table in Yamagata

        An unforgettable way to intimately explore the Shonai Region in Yamagata is a culinary experience bringing bounty of the sea straight to your table.
    • Autumn
    • Winter
      • camp3 clubhouse madarao keith stubbs outdoor japanvideo

        CAMP3 Clubhouse in Madarao

        Keith Stubbs, a veteran in the snowboard industry, transitioned from rider to coach and instructor trainer for Snowboard Instruction New Zealand. After coaching in various Japanese resorts, he has established a permanent base in Madarao, outlining his plans for the area and future snowboard endeavors.
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        New Horizons in Shiretoko

        During another epic powder season, two seasoned winter sports enthusiasts traded their snowboard bags for camera bags and traveled to Eastern Hokkaido to explore the frozen landscape and broaden their winter horizons.
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        Silent Resilience

        Curling athlete Sayuri Matsuhashi’s journey to the top of her sport is an inspiration to deaf athletes and women juggling their roles as mothers while also pursuing their professional dreams.
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        Heritage Hunting in Hokkaido

        Travelers venturing beyond Hokkaido's popular winter resorts will discover a land with a rich cultural and natural history, a proud indigenous people and a community striving to preserve their heritage.
        shizukuishi skiing snowboarding outdoor japan

        Shizukuishi

        Northern Honshu’s Iwate Prefecture, known for heavy snowfall, features Shizukuishi—a powder-rich resort area with views of Mt. Iwate. Snow enthusiasts seeking lesser-known gems can enjoy exceptional snow quality and uncrowded resorts, including Shizukuishi Ski Resort, Amihari Onsen Ski Resort, and Iwate Kogen Snow Park, offering affordability and traditional hospitality.
    • Near Tokyo
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        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Near Kyoto
    • All Regions
    • Article Map
    • Ocean and Beach
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • River and Lake
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        Heritage Hunting in Hokka...

        Travelers venturing beyond Hokkaido's popular winter resorts will discover a land with a rich cultural and natural history, a proud indigenous people and a community striving to preserve their heritage.
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        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Mountain and Land
    • Sky
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Snow and Ice
      • camp3 clubhouse madarao keith stubbs outdoor japanvideo

        CAMP3 Clubhouse in Madarao

        Keith Stubbs, a veteran in the snowboard industry, transitioned from rider to coach and instructor trainer for Snowboard Instruction New Zealand. After coaching in various Japanese resorts, he has established a permanent base in Madarao, outlining his plans for the area and future snowboard endeavors.
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        During another epic powder season, two seasoned winter sports enthusiasts traded their snowboard bags for camera bags and traveled to Eastern Hokkaido to explore the frozen landscape and broaden their winter horizons.
        sayuri matsuhashi double role curling athlete japan outdoor

        Silent Resilience

        Curling athlete Sayuri Matsuhashi’s journey to the top of her sport is an inspiration to deaf athletes and women juggling their roles as mothers while also pursuing their professional dreams.
        shizukuishi skiing snowboarding outdoor japan

        Shizukuishi

        Northern Honshu’s Iwate Prefecture, known for heavy snowfall, features Shizukuishi—a powder-rich resort area with views of Mt. Iwate. Snow enthusiasts seeking lesser-known gems can enjoy exceptional snow quality and uncrowded resorts, including Shizukuishi Ski Resort, Amihari Onsen Ski Resort, and Iwate Kogen Snow Park, offering affordability and traditional hospitality.
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        Northern Shinshu’s Secret Stash

        A weak yen, revenge travel, and excellent ski conditions have led to high demand, booking out popular resorts like Hakuba and Nozawa Onsen this year. Fortunately, lesser-known gems like Togari Onsen, near Nozawa Onsen and Madarao, offer charming alternatives for powder seekers.
    • Travel
      • camp3 clubhouse madarao keith stubbs outdoor japanvideo

        CAMP3 Clubhouse in Madarao

        Keith Stubbs, a veteran in the snowboard industry, transitioned from rider to coach and instructor trainer for Snowboard Instruction New Zealand. After coaching in various Japanese resorts, he has established a permanent base in Madarao, outlining his plans for the area and future snowboard endeavors.
        shiretoko hokkaido outdoor japan

        New Horizons in Shiretoko

        During another epic powder season, two seasoned winter sports enthusiasts traded their snowboard bags for camera bags and traveled to Eastern Hokkaido to explore the frozen landscape and broaden their winter horizons.
        sayuri matsuhashi double role curling athlete japan outdoor

        Silent Resilience

        Curling athlete Sayuri Matsuhashi’s journey to the top of her sport is an inspiration to deaf athletes and women juggling their roles as mothers while also pursuing their professional dreams.
        ainu tour daniel moore outdoor japan hokkaido

        Heritage Hunting in Hokkaido

        Travelers venturing beyond Hokkaido's popular winter resorts will discover a land with a rich cultural and natural history, a proud indigenous people and a community striving to preserve their heritage.
        shizukuishi skiing snowboarding outdoor japan

        Shizukuishi

        Northern Honshu’s Iwate Prefecture, known for heavy snowfall, features Shizukuishi—a powder-rich resort area with views of Mt. Iwate. Snow enthusiasts seeking lesser-known gems can enjoy exceptional snow quality and uncrowded resorts, including Shizukuishi Ski Resort, Amihari Onsen Ski Resort, and Iwate Kogen Snow Park, offering affordability and traditional hospitality.
    • Food and Drinks
      • camp3 clubhouse madarao keith stubbs outdoor japanvideo

        CAMP3 Clubhouse in Madarao

        Keith Stubbs, a veteran in the snowboard industry, transitioned from rider to coach and instructor trainer for Snowboard Instruction New Zealand. After coaching in various Japanese resorts, he has established a permanent base in Madarao, outlining his plans for the area and future snowboard endeavors.
        shiretoko hokkaido outdoor japan

        New Horizons in Shiretoko

        During another epic powder season, two seasoned winter sports enthusiasts traded their snowboard bags for camera bags and traveled to Eastern Hokkaido to explore the frozen landscape and broaden their winter horizons.
        sayuri matsuhashi double role curling athlete japan outdoor

        Silent Resilience

        Curling athlete Sayuri Matsuhashi’s journey to the top of her sport is an inspiration to deaf athletes and women juggling their roles as mothers while also pursuing their professional dreams.
        ainu tour daniel moore outdoor japan hokkaido

        Heritage Hunting in Hokkaido

        Travelers venturing beyond Hokkaido's popular winter resorts will discover a land with a rich cultural and natural history, a proud indigenous people and a community striving to preserve their heritage.
        shizukuishi skiing snowboarding outdoor japan

        Shizukuishi

        Northern Honshu’s Iwate Prefecture, known for heavy snowfall, features Shizukuishi—a powder-rich resort area with views of Mt. Iwate. Snow enthusiasts seeking lesser-known gems can enjoy exceptional snow quality and uncrowded resorts, including Shizukuishi Ski Resort, Amihari Onsen Ski Resort, and Iwate Kogen Snow Park, offering affordability and traditional hospitality.
    • Races and Events
      • sayuri matsuhashi double role curling athlete japan outdoor

        Silent Resilience

        Curling athlete Sayuri Matsuhashi’s journey to the top of her sport is an inspiration to deaf athletes and women juggling their roles as mothers while also pursuing their professional dreams.

        Winter News and Notes

        Check out the latest news and winter events held at ski resorts all over Japan in 2024!
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        DD4D Brewing

        In nearly e...

Cool Summer Trails

When the cicadas start to sing, summer in Japan is officially underway. Mid-summer days are hot, often followed by muggy nights, providing ample motivation to head for higher grounds and cool off. From Kyushu to Hokkaido, with a little bit in between, there are countless trails to explore, here are a few choices to inspire and satisfy that hankering for open skies and rolling vistas.

Southern Alps, Nagano

The Japan Alps are a classic destination for mountain lovers throughout the year. Home to some of the most dramatic mountain scenery south of Hokkaido, the Alps, in particularly Hakuba, the former stop on the Salt Road that ran from Itoigawa on the Sea of Japan inland to Matsumoto, made Fukada Kyuuya’s 1964 list of 100 famous peaks, and have been a favorite ever since. The 1998 Winter Olympics also thrust Hakuba to world stage, although things since then have slowed to a more pleasant pace.

Hikers can ascend in style via Hakuba’s Happo-One ski lift to begin the trek to Karamatsu Sansou. Set on a ridge with spectacular views in every direction, it looks more fit for a James Bond film, sleeps 350 hikers comfortably. Enjoy a hearty dinner and deep sleep before taking in the dawn and setting out for the day. The trail traverses ridge lines, skirts rock faces, and shimmies down the occasional chain and steel ladder before arriving at Tengu-sanjo.

This small mountain hut is nestled near a snowfield whose meltwater keeps beverages of all kinds cool to accompany the rather gourmet dinners and breakfasts. The next day, continue down a mostly ridge line trail to Yari Onsen, a rambling mountain hut with its very own onsen.

Stay for a soak then continue on clean and well-fortified. Either way, the trail soon crosses a scree field that, for the remotely timid, will be the longest part of the journey. (Emergency pick axes provided.) Finish at Sarukura Sanso for a final mountain sleep or catch a bus back to Hakuba.

Cape Tsurugi, Miura Penninsula, Kanagawa

Water lovers will delight in this hike, an easy day trip from Tokyo described in Gary D’A. Walters’ classic, “Day Walks Near Tokyo.” This, however, is no ordinary seaside stroll.

Catch a bus for Cape Tsurugi from Miurakaigan Station and disembark at Togari. Duck down a small road that leads to the base of the cliffs. The path follows the coast, climbing and meandering as it works its way around to the lighthouse atop Cape Tsurugi. Hikers will be splashed by waves as they inch along a narrow path that hugs a seaside cliff; step lightly across circular concrete columns between rock formations and take in spectacular ocean views in between. It may be worth noting tidal comings and goings, but the route generally remains above water.

Flora and fauna abound throughout the year here. Scarlet higanbana (cluster amaryllis) color the edges of fields in autumn, while late summer finds the cheerful faces of hamakanzou (orange lilies) sunning themselves here and there along the path. Ishiohidori (blue stone thrushes) sing their glorious songs and a variety of beach combing birds scuttle hither and yon as hikers cross the small beaches of various bays. These, too, are littered with shells and a colorful array of bright, perfectly smoothed sea glass and shells. (There will be other litter, too unfortunately, so have an extra bag handy to pick some up if you can.) Catch a bus back to the station from the lighthouse.

Kunisaki Minemachi Long Trail, Oita

The Kunisaki Peninsula, with its forested interior bypassed by trains and highways alike, is a fabled place where Shinbutsu, a unique combination of Buddhism, Shintoism and mountain worship, still thrives. Mount Futago sits at its center of the peninsula, and Futago-ji, the temple at the heart of it all, is where priests from around the peninsula gather annually for yamabushi (mountain priest) training. Together they traverse roughly 140 kilometers over boulders, high bridges, and waterfalls following a path connecting temples, caves, and the tomb of their founder, Ninmon.

Visitors today can follow a similar route, starting at the Kumano Maigabutsu, religious stone carvings that date roughly from 1200 A.D., the tallest of which stands over eight meters in height. The course combines ancient roadways and trails with modern ones, stopping at temples and farm villages along the way. Millennium of volcanic activity results in a landscape creased by mountains and valleys, but filled with a rich blend of flora and fauna as well as ancient statues, ruins and cave temples with images of the Buddha carved into the rock. Stunning views over the Seto Inland Sea dominate from nearly every high point. Broken into ten separate courses of varying difficulty and length, hikers can explore for a day or do a through-hike ending at Futago-ji.

Check out the Go! Kunasaki Hiking and Kunisaki Hantou Trail websites for more information.

Daisetsuzan Koen, Hokkaido

It’s easy to see how Daisetsuzan Koen in Hokkaido earned its Ainu moniker as “Playground of the Gods.” A few steps along almost any trail, and hikers find themselves in another world, one that veers between deep forest, plateau wetlands, and glacial byways where bears and fox trod as well as barren volcanic landscapes. Breathtaking year round, in summer it is one of Japan’s great escapes from the heat and humidity that blankets much of the country. Those seeking to trek these northern climes will not be disappointed whether they choose an overnight hike to one of the park’s many mountain huts or a longer circuit.

One interesting choice is to start from Daisetsuzan Onsen and climb steadily upward to the Numanohara Wetlands. Here, the landscape flattens out into a great basin where an assortment of rare mountain wildflowers grace the spaces between shimmering mountain ponds just below a raised wooden trail. Camp next to Lake Onuma and take day hikes up nearby ridges. Cut down a wild hydrangea-studded river valley to Nupontomuraushi Onsen, a somewhat secret and semi-tamed coed hot spring accessible only on foot, dirt bike or other hardy vehicle—an excellent place for a good soak and sleep.

Climb back up to Hisagonuma Hinagoya (hut) and try to spot the furry pika roaming among the boulders or carry on to Chubetsudake Hinagoya. From there, hike to Hakuun-koya, where warm wood walls make for a cozy respite from the trail. A final long climb up the backside of Asahidake and down the other side brings hikers back to civilization slow and sure.

RESOURCES

Two books that are great resources for hiking in Japan are Lonely Planet’s “Hiking in Japan” (ed. 2009) and “Day Walks Near Tokyo” by Gary D’A. Walters.

WEB CONNECTION

Hiking in Japan is a great resource for hiking information in Japan.

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