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Allie Bally · Joined: 22 Apr 2012 Posts: 13 Location: Huaraz, Peru

Hey! I love climbing, camping, trekking/backpacking, rafting, mountain biking, and anything that has to do with nature. Beaches are also cool. Are there things like this to do in Japan? I might go crazy without nature. What about national parks?

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

You can do all those things here. See www.outdoorjapan.com for more info.

You should focus more on your goals of finding work and possibilities for your boyfriend, first.

Allie Bally · Joined: 22 Apr 2012 Posts: 13 Location: Huaraz, Peru

Thanks for the info. However these things are EXTREMELY IMPORTANT for me otherwise my quality of life is going to be horrible and I will not be happy. A good friend of mine who lived in Korea says that after living in Peru I will be very unhappy with the nature scene in Korea, and I am just wondering if it is similar in Japan. What are the national parks like there? Crowded? Hard to access? Expensive? Un-nature like?

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

I'm sad to say that with a spouse who hates nature, I have not done any outdoor activities in the parks here. I have not heard of any major complaints, though, other than some crowdedness in tent camping areas.

Please look at that link more closely and let Google help you out on what the parks are like. I hope people who have been fortunate enough to get out into nature can lend a hand here.

Just a word of advice, though. As much as this topic is very important to you, be careful how strongly you bring it up in any interviews. That's because it may turn off employers who might think you put more value on your own needs rather than those of the customers. After all, in their minds that is why they are hiring you.

MotherF · Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 2:35 pm Post subject:

I know that in Peru, you probably don't have access to any physical guide books to Japan--but this is the information age. Like Glenski said--use your googling skills.

(Lonely Planet's website would be a good start. And how about Flickr for photos of Japan. There's the National Geographic Travel website. There are tons of expat blogs coming out of Japan. And there are English language publications from Japan that surely have websites.)

Allie Bally · Joined: 22 Apr 2012 Posts: 13 Location: Huaraz, Peru

Thanks guys yes I know I have done some research on my own but there doesn't seem to be much info. Also that website was not very informative. I have looked at Lonely Planet's website and they are also quite vague. The rock climbing websites also have very little info on topos. I am begining to wonder if there really is very much nature. Wikipedia gives a huge list of national parks, so maybe there is hope...we'll see.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Go to the LP thorntree discussion site and ask travelers.

Japan is 75 percent mountains and forest. Can't be "un-nature-like". Not sure what you meant by expensive, so could you elaborate?

Allie Bally · Joined: 22 Apr 2012 Posts: 13 Location: Huaraz, Peru

ssjup81 · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 1:06 am Post subject:

I am in the Tohoku region and one of the students I work with loves outdoor activity such as hiking in the mountains, camping, snowboarding, etc. I will see him and another student tomorrow for the Hanami. I could pass along any other specific questions that you may have.

Allie Bally · Joined: 22 Apr 2012 Posts: 13 Location: Huaraz, Peru

Yeah cool thanks!!!

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

There are heaps of webpages with information on topography for hiking/climbing in Japan. They're not in English. Wink

Make connections through outdoor groups and publications like Outdoor Japan, and you'll learn a lot from other enthusiasts.

I've stayed in privately owned campgrounds in Japan. Barbeque, transportation (share a truck rental), cabin and camp fees cost us about Y10,000 per person for a weekend.

I've roughed it, too, hiking up mountains with only a knife, tarp, water and a mobile phone. That cost me the train fare to get to the base of the mountain and one of my nine lives each time Laughing

Smooth Operator · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 140 Location: Japan

I love the mountains in Japan and make sure I ride up them as often as time allows. Also there are lots of hiking trails where the adventurous can take a mountain bike. Hiking is good too. Best not to live around Tokyo though since it is mostly very flat and built up.

For nature most other cities are better.

ultraman111 · Joined: 17 Sep 2011 Posts: 148

I used to like having sex outside......it was great!!!! Razz

blacklab · Joined: 17 Aug 2011 Posts: 2

I've camped and done lots of hiking all across Japan - there's a wide variety of things to do for all outdoor interests. I lived in Osaka, but did trips throughout Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku and Hokkaido, mostly camping, paid sites and free. Sometimes by train, sometimes with a rental car, sometimes hitchhiking. It's a wonderful country for exploring the outdoors - even if you're living in the city it's not that hard to get out into nature. The outdoorjapan site is a good start, as is lonely planet. When you arrive, ask around and you'll find groups that share your passion and are a great way to improve your Japanese as well. Enjoy! Very Happy

ssjup81 · Posted: Tue May 01, 2012 5:56 am Post subject:

Nothing more I can add that hasn't been already mentioned, but when I asked, was pretty much told the same thing. As to where you go and the pricing (if there is one), it's a "case by case" situation. Either way, the country is loaded with mountains and hiking/biking trails, lots of camping places, etc. You're bound to find something. Even schools take their students on excursion trips, if I'm not mistaken.