Posts Tagged ‘hiking trails’
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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!
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There are plenty of walking trails in Tokyo that were laid down in different times of Japan’s history. Many of these trails are regularly used by the citizens of Tokyo, while others are in the more remote locations, like in the hilly and forested regions. The latter are therefore more beautiful and are often recommended to tourists who come to visit Tokyo. The city has many pretty sights and sounds, archeological treasures, natural landscapes etc. There are several trails that are created by stone blocks or slabs spread over a streaming river, for people to cross. It gives great pleasure to everyone because they can not only enjoy the surroundings but the walk itself can be plenty of fun, especially if one is with friends or family.
There are several places to take walks in Tokyo e.g. there is one near Kawaranoshuku. This trail is ideal for hiking and one would have to travel about 9 miles to an elevation of 548 feet at a minimum and 1804 feet at a maximum. There are other walking trails in Tokyo. For example, one can try out the following route: Chiyoda-ku, Shinjuku-ku, Bunkyo-ku, Shibuya-ku, Toshima-ku, to enjoy peaceful strolls though old Japanese roads at Yanaka/Nezu. There are lot activities to do while walking along these routes.
There is the opportunity to do lots of shopping, enjoy gourmets, visit museums and of course, relish the beauty of Mother Nature all around. Some of the places that one will visit while walking along these routes will have great exhibitions of the endless beauty of nature that Tokyo has in store. Still others will have interesting places to visit like symbols of Japanese culture, amusement parks, shopping centers, industries etc. It is largely held that there is no better way to explore Tokyo than to walk on foot to the different exotic locations across the city.