17 Sept 2026 – 11 Oct 2026 · by roosje.
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Matsumoto, Japan
Matsumoto is the gateway to the Northern Japan Alps with a beautifully preserved feudal castle as its centrepiece. The town sits at high altitude and offers excellent access to hiking trails in the surrounding alpine terrain. Try local soba noodles and explore the quaint Nawate Street.
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Kamikochi, Japan
Kamikochi is one of Japan's most breathtaking alpine valleys, accessible only on foot or by bus. Hike along the crystal-clear Azusa River past Taisho Pond with dramatic views of the Hotaka mountain range. The area is a wildlife haven — look out for Japanese macaques and deer along the trails.
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Shirakawago, Japan
This UNESCO World Heritage village is famous for its iconic gassho-zukuri farmhouses with steep thatched roofs. Surrounded by forested mountains and rivers, it feels completely removed from modern Japan. A short stop here adds rich cultural texture to your mountain journey.
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Kanazawa, Japan
Kanazawa is known as Japan's hidden gem, rivalling Kyoto in culture without the crowds. Stroll through Kenroku-en, one of Japan's top three gardens, and explore the preserved geisha districts. The city is also renowned for its exceptional fresh seafood at Omicho Market.
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Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto is the cultural heart of Japan with hundreds of temples, shrines and traditional tea houses. Hike the Fushimi Inari trail through thousands of vermillion torii gates up into the forested mountain behind the shrine. The Arashiyama bamboo grove and Philosopher's Path are unmissable nature-meets-culture experiences.
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Yoshino, Japan
Yoshino is a sacred mountain town in Nara Prefecture and the starting point of the ancient Omine Okugakemichi pilgrimage trail. The forested ridgelines and remote mountain temples offer some of the most spiritual hiking in Japan. It is also legendary for its thousands of cherry or autumn-foliage trees depending on the season.
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Yakushima, Japan
Yakushima is a UNESCO World Heritage island covered in ancient cedar forests that inspired Studio Ghibli's Princess Mononoke. The crown jewel hike is the Jomon Sugi trail to a cedar tree over 7,000 years old deep in the misty rainforest. The island is also home to sea turtles, Yakushima deer and wild macaques.
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Kagoshima, Japan
Kagoshima sits in the shadow of Sakurajima, one of the world's most active volcanoes visible right from the city waterfront. Take a short ferry to walk the lava fields around Sakurajima's base for a dramatic volcanic landscape hike. The city has a warm, laid-back southern character and is known for its black pork and sweet potato shochu.