Job Discussion Forums

aynnej · Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 6:09 am Post subject:

I used an old copy of LP's Hiking in Japan. The bus/transportation info was outdated, but the mountains were still there! And here's a great blog -- http://japanhike.wordpress.com/.

I lived in Tokyo and did a fair amount of hiking in Yamanashi prefecture (to the west) and Ibaraki and Tochigi prefectures (to the north). The popular, easy hikes are way crowded on weekends and national holidays (like Disneyland), but you don't have to get very far off the beaten track to avoid the crowds. If you end up in Kanto, PM me and I'll give you some info on some of my favorite treks.

aynnej · Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 6:20 am Post subject:

Oh, and regarding cost -- trekking isn't expensive, but the train/bus fares and highway tolls often are. It's just a fact of life in Japan. But, don't let that discourage you. If you want to do a hike, there's always a way.

You might want to consider getting an international driver's license before you come (although they're only good for a year, I think). If you can rent a van with a group of hikers, you can share the cost, get to more rural areas, and don't have to worry about bus schedules, which are often infrequent and expensive in the more remote areas.

bobbysix · Joined: 07 Oct 2010 Posts: 23

There's tons of outdoors stuff to do in Japan, of course it depends where you live.
I live near Kamakura and there is lots of hiking/mountain biking/beaches to be done.
Of course if you live in central Tokyo, then your options may be limited unless you are willing to travel. But even then, you won't have to go too far to get to the countryside.

Mrguay84 · Joined: 03 Dec 2009 Posts: 125

Mr. Leafy · Joined: 24 Apr 2012 Posts: 246 Location: North of the Wall

I believe someone already mentioned the International Adventrue Club in Tokyo. I found them to be quite cliquey but they do a wide range of activities. You may have better luck with them than I did. I beleive there is a similar club in Osaka but I don't know anything about it.

Also in Tokyo, there is an area near Ueno called Ameyoko market. It's been years since I lived there but there used to be several hiking goods shops there. They have a lot of books and maps. Japanese guide books are very visual so you only need to know a little Japanese to use them efficiently.

There are two main books in English, both called 'Hiking in Japan' I think, one os from Lonely Planet, as mentioned by others. Both are ok, but limited, trying to do the whole contry in one book they just give the well-known highlights. To get off the beaten track you need to read enough Japanese to use local materials.

Tourist information offices are useless for serious outdoor material - daytripper stuff only. Go to a hiking/camping shop, or Kinokunia south of Shinjuku station.

I think you'll find most camping is much more developed than what you are used to. I was disappointed with how easy it was there.