The 15 Mountain Walks and Treks in Japan That Repay the Fare

Fushimi Inari Hidden Hiking Tour (Private Option Available) - From Tofukuji toward the mountain

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,750 reviews · from $63Our pick

Escape Kyoto crowds on a guided 7km forest hike to Fushimi Inari, with bamboo, quiet shrines, castle views, and expert local help.

“After a day in Kyoto, we started to tire of the tourist crowds, so this small group tour was absolutely brilliant. Our guide N. was knowledgeable and ever so nice. The hike was easy and as we approached the Tori gates from the back, we avoided other people right to the end. N was also an expert at taking super arty photos of us esp in the bamboo forest. Can’t recommend the tour enough.”

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Hiking and Trekking, Nagano Tours, Temples and Shrines, Temples and Shrines in Nagano, Tour Reviews, Tours

[Nagoya Kamikochi Hiking Tour] One-Day Nature Forest Hiking Tour of Kamikochi & Taisho Pond & Tashiro Pond & Kappa Bridge & Myojin Pond & Hotaka Mountain Range & Hotaka Shrine Okumiya (Departure from Nagoya)

2.[Nagoya Kamikochi Hiking Tour] One-Day Nature Forest Hiking Tour of Kamikochi & Taisho Pond & Tashiro Pond & Kappa Bridge & Myojin Pond & Hotaka Mountain Range & Hotaka Shrine Okumiya (Departure from Nagoya)

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 423 reviews · 11 hours · from $44Best value

Ride from Nagoya to Kamikochi with a Chinese- or English-speaking guide, then spend about 3.5 hours exploring independently. Choose the easy 3.5 km walk from Taisho Pond to Kappa Bridge or the longer route toward Myojin Pond and Hotaka Shrine. Pack lunch, rain gear, and warm layers.

“The weather was great, the scenery was wonderful, and our tour guide, Siesy, was also fantastic.”

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3-Hour Experiences, Hiking and Trekking, Kyoto Tours, Temples and Shrines, Temples and Shrines in Kyoto, Tour Reviews, Tours

Kyoto: 3-Hour Fushimi Inari Shrine Hidden Hiking Tour

3.3-Hour Fushimi Inari Shrine Hidden Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 270 reviews · 3 hours · from $72

Escape Kyoto’s crowds on a 3-hour Fushimi Inari hike through bamboo groves, forest trails, quiet altars, and the famous torii gates.

“Perfect ! Our guide Hina was kind and compétent … Thank you!”

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Guided, Hiking and Trekking, Hiroshima Tours, Tea Ceremonies, Tour Reviews, Tours

Hiroshima Local guided Hiking Tour&Open-air Tea Ceremony

4.Hiroshima Local guided Hiking Tour&Open-air Tea Ceremony

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 213 reviews · from $109

Hike Hiroshima’s Futaba Mountains, visit quiet shrines, enjoy forest bathing, and share an open-air tea ceremony above the city.

“The hike was fun. The guide was helpful. The views were great. I recommend this tour. That’s it in a nutshell.”

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Day Trips, Hiking and Trekking, Nagoya Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Hiking the Historic Nakasendo Trail [1 Day Tour from Nagoya]

5.Hiking the Historic Nakasendo Trail [1 Day Tour from Nagoya]

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 104 reviews · from $210

Hike Japan’s historic Nakasendo Trail from Tsumago to Magome with an English-speaking guide, rural scenery, round-trip transport, and local charm.

“Paula was a great guide - she was very friendly, passionate, and knowledgeable about the history of the area with lots of fun facts! We had a great time on the hike and exploring Tsumago and Magome. Asano-San was a great driver and the bus ride was very comfortable! We would definitely recommend this tour!”

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Hiking and Trekking, Kyoto Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Kyoto Hiking Tour: The Nature and Legends of Kurama and Kibune

6.Kyoto Hiking Tour: The Nature and Legends of Kurama and Kibune

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 75 reviews · from $191

Explore Mount Kurama and Kibune on an 8-hour private Kyoto hike with hotel pickup, temple visits, forest trails, legends, and an English-speaking guide.

“Our guide Akari was so helpful and very knowledgeable of the history of Kibune-Kirama. Overall effort is a high - if you’re looking for a nice stroll in the park, this would be very difficult for you - consider another option. That being said, the views from the top is breathtaking. If you’re lucky enough to see these views in Autumn as our group did - even better! I would like to emphasize how helpful Akari was during our tour, she is very considerate and ensuring everyone gets to the top as safe as possible. Not only did we all make it to the top and back safely, we receive…”

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Hiking and Trekking, Hiroshima Tours, Morning, Tea Ceremonies, Tour Reviews, Tours

Hiroshima: Morning Hiking Tour with Open-air Tea Ceremony

7.Morning Hiking Tour with Open-air Tea Ceremony

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 58 reviews · 3 hours · from $106

Hike Futaba Mountain near Hiroshima, visit historic shrines, enjoy forest bathing, and share an open-air matcha tea ceremony above the city.

“We had an amazing morning with Michi. We learned a lot about Hiroshima, Japan and its culture. We recommend it with our eyes closed. Thank you to Michi for her kindness, her sharing and the passion she transmitted to us.”

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Full-Day, Hiking and Trekking, Onsen and Wellness, Onsen and Wellness in Tokyo, Tokyo Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Full Day Hiking Tour at Mt.Takao including Hot Spring

8.Full Day Hiking Tour at Mt.Takao including Hot Spring

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 52 reviews · from $118

Review of Mt. Takao’s private hiking tour from Tokyo, with temple visits, Fuji views, a guided trail, hot spring soak, and practical tips.

“Visiting Mt. Takao was definitely the touch of nature i wanted to try and experience while in Japan. Because i stayed in Tokyo primarily, this was one of the closer chances to get away from the city. My guide, Rie-san, was patient and definiteRead more”

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Hiking and Trekking, Kyoto Tours, Onsen and Wellness, Tour Reviews

Kyoto: Hike and Hot Springs in Kurama

9.Hike and Hot Springs in Kurama

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 49 reviews · 4 hours · from $80

Hike sacred Kurama Mountain from Kyoto, visit Kibune Shrine, ride the Eizan train, and finish with an optional mountain hot spring.

“Philippe was very knowledgeable about the history and stories behind the shrines, temples and towns we visited. Being a localized Kyoto citizen, he was able to supply us a plethora of local insights behind Japanese culture and traditions. With his extensive background of hiking the forests and mountains of Kyoto, the route was impeccably planned such that it was a seamless experience despite the daunting climb up to the mountain temple. An amalgamation of nature and history, overall it was a rejuvenating experience providing a much welcome contrast from the conventional and routinely frequented tourist spots in Kyoto City Center.”

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Hakone Tours, Hiking and Trekking, Tour Reviews

Hike Hakone Hachiri

10.Hike Hakone Hachiri

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 48 reviews · from $231

Review of the 9-hour Hakone Hachiri hike, with ancient roads, cedar trees, Lake Ashi, Mt Fuji views, history, and practical booking advice.

“Tony was an excellent guide. I HIGHLY recommend him! His knowledge of history is on point and he made the hike absolutely the best!! Prepare yourself for fantastic views, a history lesson, and so many memories on this trip!! I will advise this hike every time!!! 5/5 stars for Tony!!!”

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Guided, Hakone Tours, Hiking and Trekking, Tour Reviews

Hike Japan Heritage Hakone Hachiri with certified mountain guide

11.Hike Japan Heritage Hakone Hachiri with certified mountain guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · from $158

Review of Hakone Hachiri’s 8km heritage hike, Lake Ashi views, Edo history, transport details, costs, and guide Aki.

“The tour included hiking on quiet trails and then exploring the region by bus and by foot. It was a very rewarding experience. Akihiro was very kind and good natured and knowledgeable about history and nature, and he took us to places we wouldn’t have even know about. We had a fabulous time.”

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Guided, Hiking and Trekking, Private Tours, Private Tours in Takayama, Takayama Tours, Tour Reviews

Magome & Tsumago Nakasendo Trail Day Hike with Government-Licensed Guide

12.Magome & Tsumago Nakasendo Trail Day Hike with Government-Licensed Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 38 reviews · from $155

Hike Japan’s historic Nakasendo Trail from Magome to Tsumago with a private licensed guide, village views, culture, and practical local insight.

“This was such a beautiful way to see the countryside of Japan. Although we saw many travelers guiding themselves, I’m very happy that I booked this experience with a guide as Elvis was a great person to navigate us through the hike and prRead more”

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Day Trips, Hiking and Trekking, Nagoya Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

1-Day Tour from Nagoya: Hiking the Historic Nakasendo Trail

13.1-Day Tour from Nagoya: Hiking the Historic Nakasendo Trail

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 34 reviews · 8 hours · from $189

Hike Japan's historic Nakasendo Trail from Tsumago to Magome on an 8-hour small-group tour from Nagoya, with a guide and comfortable transport.

“The tour was very lovely, the tour guide was very knowledgeable and gave a lot of background information. We walked at a nice pace and also got enough time to enjoy the lovely towns. The bus drive was also very comfortable. I recommend!”

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Hiking and Trekking, Kyoto Tours, Temples and Shrines, Temples and Shrines in Kyoto, Tour Reviews

Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Hidden Hike (Private)

14.Fushimi Inari Hidden Hike (Private)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · from $62

Review of Kyoto’s private Fushimi Inari hike, with quiet mountain trails, torii gates, cultural insight, DSLR photos, and practical tips.

“Louis was a great tour leader on this walking excursion in April 2025. His route allowed us to have a quiet hike through some beautiful places on the way to the bustling peaks and torii passages. Louis explained some of the history and mythRead more”

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Full-Day, Hiking and Trekking, Nagoya Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Full-Day Kisoji Nakasendo Trail Tour from Nagoya

15.Full-Day Kisoji Nakasendo Trail Tour from Nagoya

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · from $230

Walk Japan’s old Nakasendo Trail from Magome to Tsumago, with historic inns, waterfalls, rail travel, and an expert English-speaking guide.

“We had a nice day with our guide Yasuhiro who helped us to navigate between Magome and Tsumago villages and made this day a memorable one. All was very well settled and perfectly organised, the trip was very smooth and we just enjoyed it. Best regards to Yasuhiro! Lee and Peeter from Estonia”

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