Japan Outdoor Travel Guide
Most people think sushi and bullet trains when thinking about Japan, but the land of the rising sun has much more than just crazy technology and anime, it is a country filled with beautiful hikes and trails.
From the iconic mountain that is Fuji to traditional trails like the Shikoku 88 PilgrimageIf you have ever thought about hiking in Japan, one of the first places that may have crossed your mind may be the might Mount Fuji. With spectacular views from near and far this mountain is an iconic symbol of japan, and for anyone who hikes, it’s gotta be on your bucket list. Nestled on the edge of the Pacific ocean Japan is a country made up of 4 main island and countless small islands. Natural beauty, rivers, lakes mountains and waterfalls, Japan has many hikes to offer. This country has so much to going on, from traditional heritage to the latest gadgets and technologies. From the hustle and bustle of the busy cities, you can travel as little as one hour, and you will be in amongst the birds and bees, the flowers and the trees. If you need to get out in to nature, it’s just at the touch of your fingertips.
Japan has population of a whopping estimated 126.8 million people, and according to Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) an estimated 2.6 million visitors in August 2018 alone. Japan is a destination for many, many traveler from far and wide, but even with these staggering numbers, there are still places where you may not see anyone and be at one with nature.
Japan's National parks
Japan has multiple national parks which have been preserved and remain a picture of beauty. There are 34 national parks scattered around Japan and include Kamikochi, Chichibu Tama kai, Hakusan just to name a few. With so many to choose from you will not have a shortage of hikes and trails in Japan to choose from. A full list of national parks in Japan can be found here on the Japanese National Park website
Dangerous Animals & Insects
Black bear
Brown Bear – only in Hokkaido
Snakes
Kemushi
Giant Hornet – Suzumebachi
Denkimushi
Japanese mountain leech
Giant Centipede – Mukade
Interesting Laws
Unlike some other countries there is no free camping laws and wild camping on public land is theoretically illegal and wild camping on private property requires the landowner’s permission. Here you can find a list of camping sites in Japan grouped into eight districts from the north to the south, which you can access through the summer months https://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/pdf/pg/pg-804.pdf
Climate
Japan has four distinct seasons with a climate ranging from subarctic in the north to subtropical in the south. Conditions are different between the Pacific side and the Sea of Japan side. Northern Japan has very warm summers up to 45 degree celsius and very cold winters with heavy snow down to minus 20 degrees celsius in mountainous areas.
The temperature can be very cold at high altitudes, even at the peak of summer. If you are a fan of the heat, or the snowy times are your scene, Japan has a climate you will like. In the city’s it can be hot and humid, and the winter can be dry and cold. Below are some average temperatures and rainfall for Tokyo.
Temperature
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| °C | 5 | 6 | 9 | 14 | 18 | 21 | 25 | 26 | 23 | 18 | 12 | 8 |
| °F | 41 | 43 | 48 | 57 | 64 | 70 | 77 | 79 | 73 | 64 | 54 | 46 |
Rainfall
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| mm | 43 | 58 | 94 | 119 | 132 | 181 | 128 | 147 | 181 | 158 | 84 | 44 |
| Days | 9 | 11 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 17 | 12 | 9 |
Currency
1 USD = 112.82 JPY
Japan vs US Dollar 5 item Price Comparison
| Product | Japan Price | US Price |
|---|---|---|
| Loaf of white bread | $1.74 | $2.37 |
| Milk | $1.78 | $0.99 |
| Water 1.5l | $1.41 | $1.75 |
| McDonalds Meal | $6.00 | $6.00 |
| Beer | $2.48 | $3.28 |
Top 10 hiking trails in the country
Mt Fuji
Mt Takao
Bandai Highlands
The Japanese Alps
Mt Kurikoma
Magome-Tsumago Hiking Trail
Nakasendo Highway
Kiso Valley
Kamikochi
Yakushima
Visa Information
Tourist visas is not required for stays of less than 90 days for US Citizens. Citizens from 68 countries are free to enter Japan for up to 90 days, and are listed here. Citizens from the following countries have different restrictions. The period of stay granted at the time of the landing permission will be “15 days” for Brunei, Indonesia, and Thailand, and “30 days” for United Arab Emirates and “90 days” for other countries and regions.
Japan is home to these popular outdoor clothing brands
Nanga
Natal
Japan's Emergency Phone numbers
Emergency telephone numbers you can call if you need help when you are in Japan.
119 – Fire
110 – Police
119 – Ambulance
118 – Emergency at sea
+81-29-856-3566 or +81-72-727-2499 (24hrs Japanese hotline) – Poisons Information Centre
Resources list
Visa information – https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html
Tourism Japan – https://www.seejapan.co.uk/