Touring Through Japan

Japan, with its rugged geography offers a prime destination for adventure junkies from around the world. With its steep ice-capped peaks and tipsy curvy plains it becomes an ideal spot for various adventure sports like, mountaineering, biking, skating and hiking and more.

Until the turn of the century few Japanese would have considered climbing one of their often sacred mountains for anything other than religious reasons. These days, prime highland beauty spots such as Kamikochi are widely popular with day hikers and serious mountaineers. In addition, there are 28 national parks and exploring them and other picturesque areas of the countryside on foot is one of the great pleasures of a trip to Japan.

Hiking trails, especially in the national parks, are well marked. Campsites and mountain huts open during the climbing season, which runs from June to the end of August. Top hiking destinations from the capital include the lakes, mountains and rugged coastline of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park to the southwest and Nikko to the north. Also west of the capital is the Chichibu-Tama National Park and the sacred mountain Takao-san, particularly lovely when the leaves change colour each autumn. Japan provides the ideal terrain and weather to accommodate the various adventure Sports. The interesting volcanic valleys and ridges are great for trekking and hiking.

The Utsukushigahara Kogen plateau (2000 meters high) may offers one of the most challenging hikes in Japan.  The plateau trail is gentle and lies between fields of grass. Cows may be seen while hiking, since a large stock farm is found in the area. Persons who like flowers will enjoy seeing the azaleas which grow in abundance on the plateau. From April to November, hikers may also enjoy an open-air exhibition of over 300 modern sculptures at the Utsukushigahara Open-Air Museum.

Kamikochi mountain resorts are famous throughout Japan. Sightseeing while hiking in Kamikochi is a great expereince ; mountains and lakes like the Tashiro Moor, the Myojin-ike Pond and the Tashiro-ike Pond and mount Yake-dake. Staying overnight at the Myojinkan in Kamikochi, which is a ryokan, a traditional Japanese-style accommodation is also other great way to end the hikings.

Another amazing hiking spot is the Norikura Kogen plateau, which has many ponds, lakes and waterfalls. Grasslands and marshes are also a feature of the plateau.The plateau is about 1,900 meters high. Norikura Kogen is the site of an open air onsen which boasts milky white water. From the onsen, you are able to enjoy a beautiful view of Mount Norikura-dake. The path to the top of Norikura Kogen slopes gently, so even relatively inexperienced hikers should not find it difficult to hike to the top.

Photo: Japan It Up!