Top 15 Hiking & Trekking Trips in Japan

1.Fushimi Inari Hidden Hiking Tour (Private Option Available)

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

Follow a certified MagicalTrip guide from Tofukuji through forest paths, bamboo, and a small hidden shrine before reaching Fushimi Inari-Taisha from the quieter upper trails. Expect about 7 kilometers, stairs, uneven ground, and limited crowds. Guides such as Naru, Yuko, Emi, and Hina add local stories and photos. Private options are available.

“A fair amount of walking uphill, but a good tour to the bamboo forest and to the shrine areas. The guide was very knowledgeable and accommodating, he provided a good overview of the area and history.”

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2.3-Hour Fushimi Inari Shrine Hidden Hiking Tour

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

Start near Tofukuji Station and approach Fushimi Inari from the quiet back side of Mount Inari. Your English-speaking guide leads you through forest paths, bamboo groves, small shrines, and thousands of vermilion torii gates before finishing at the main shrine. Expect about 7 kilometers, steep steps, bugs, and a real hike rather than a casual stroll.

“My boyfriend and I enjoyed our with Nobu and Jimmy our tour guides. They were amazing people and made the journey around Fushimi Inari all the more enjoyable. Thank you!”

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

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

Start at Hiroshima Station with guides such as Nana, Michi, or Naomi, then climb the Futaba Mountains through Hiroshima Toshogu and Kinko Inari shrines. The route includes about 500 steps, forest bathing, views of Miyajima and the Seto Inland Sea, and a Nodate tea ceremony at a mountaintop shrine. Groups are limited to six.

“Learned more about Japanese culture, religion and history, while hiking in a local part of Hiroshima.”

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

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

Leave Nagoya for a guided 8 km hike from Tsumago-juku to Magome-juku, two beautifully preserved Edo-era post towns. Guides such as Kim, Emily, Paula, and Polly bring the trail’s past to life, while a private vehicle handles the long transport. Bring lunch, water, and sturdy shoes for this rewarding but hilly day.

“Had an excellent trip with Emily and Nakanishi-san. It was a really fun trip and Emily was helpful and knowledgeable about the path and its history.”

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

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

Spend about eight hours exploring Kyoto’s wooded Kurama and Kibune area with a private English-speaking guide. Visit Yuki Shrine, Kurama-dera, Okunoin Maoden and both sections of Kifune Shrine while learning about Reiki, mountain religion, local legends and Japanese culture. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in Kyoto’s urban area and Kurama area.

“Excellent tour! The views on hike are spectacular. What made this tour most memorable was our tour guide. He was friendly , extremely knowledgeable and communicated throughout the day about history, culture and religion of Japan. Our guide asked what we were interested in seeing and ensured our requests were exceeded. We visited lesser known spots as well - this enriched our experience. HIGHLY recommend this tour.”

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6.Morning Hiking Tour with Open-air Tea Ceremony

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

Start near Hiroshima Station with a small group of up to six and hike through shrine-lined woodland to Futaba Mountain’s Peace Pagoda. Your English or Japanese-speaking guide explains Shinto, local history, and the route before preparing green tea outdoors. Expect about 500 steps, forest bathing, scenic views, and an optional breakfast.

“Our guide, Michiyo, was so friendly and knowledgeable. It made the hike such a pleasure. The whole experience was relaxing; the whole family enjoyed it.”

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7.Hike and Hot Springs in Kurama

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

Ride the Eizan train from Demachiyanagi into Kyoto’s cedar-covered north, then hike from Kibune toward Kurama Temple with an English or French-speaking guide. Expect steep steps, shrine legends, mountain views, and time in Kurama village for lunch or an optional hot spring bath. Guides such as Philippe and Chris are praised for local insight.

“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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8.Hike Hakone Hachiri

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

Join Tony for a private, approximately nine-hour hike along a 12-kilometer section of the old Tokaido Highway. Visit Amazake Chaya, walk beneath 400-year-old cedars, stop at Lake Ashi and Yamanaka Castle Ruins, and finish in Mishima. Expect history, Japanese culture, stone paths, and a moderate to challenging walk.

“This hike was amazing and the guide, Tony, was excellent. We would definitely recommend if planning to visit the Hakone area. The hike itself was rigorous and challenging, which we quite enjoyed. Felt we were able to experience the tRead more”

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9.Hike Japan Heritage Hakone Hachiri with certified mountain guide

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

Follow Japan’s Edo-period Hachiri route with guide Aki or Akihiro on a seven-hour hike from Hakone Yumoto to Mishima. Walk cobbled mountain paths, visit Lake Ashi, the cedar avenue, Hakone Checkpoint, and Yamanaka Castle Ruins, with local buses filling the gaps. Expect about 8 kilometers of walking, optional Mt Fuji views, and a small group of up to six people.

“This was a really great tour! Aki is so knowledgeable about the history and area it really was a great tour! Would definitely recommend doing this!”

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

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

Spend about six hours exploring the Nakasendo Trail between Magome and Tsumago with a government-licensed English-speaking guide. The roughly 5-mile hike suits active visitors short on time. Guides such as Hiroshi, Matt, Yumi, Elvis, and Kazue add history, help arrange food stops, and keep the walk on track. Public transport, meals, and entry fees cost extra.

“I had a wonderful day hiking the Nakasendo trail. I would highly recommend my guide Hiroshi. He was knowledgeable, enthusiastic and friendly. He elevated the hiking experience, arranging a stop for a soba lunch, and a visit to a waki-honjiRead more”

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

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

Join an English, Spanish, or French-speaking guide for an 8 km hike from Tsumago to Magome along Japan’s old Nakasendo route. You’ll explore preserved Edo-era buildings, pass forests, streams, waterfalls, and mountain villages, then return to Nagoya by comfortable small-group bus. Guides such as Kim and Mir add useful historical context.

“I would highly recommend this tour! The postal towns were absolutely stunning - very quiet and like stepping back in time. Kim, our guide, was welcoming and knowledgeable and offered lots of historic facts and local recommendations, and our driver was incredibly warm and friendly. The company was also very accommodating and responsive when we had to adapt the tour last minute owing to an ankle injury, and offered more time in Tsumago and Magome and a traditional Japanese lunch. This was definitely a highlight of our trip to Japan!”

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12.Fushimi Inari Hidden Hike (Private)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · from $62

Start near Tofukuji at 8:30 am and hike toward Fushimi Inari Taisha with a private English-speaking guide. You’ll leave the busiest paths for quieter mountain trails, pass bamboo groves and torii gates, hear about Shinto beliefs, and finish at the shrine’s Romon Gate. Guide Louis has led this route in rain and spring weather, with DSLR photos included afterward.

“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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13.Traverse Outer Rim of Hakone Caldera and Enjoy Onsen Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · from $158

Start from Hakone-Yumoto at 8:30 am and ride a chartered taxi to the trailhead. With a nationally certified guide, you’ll climb for 90 minutes, walk the outer rim of Hakone caldera for 2.5 to 3 hours, then descend to Togendai for lunch and an onsen. The six-person limit keeps the day personal.

“This was a great day's hike. Good views and a very interesting and patient guide. I think it's best for active families or individuals and there is uneven terrain but it was delightful day. We are glad we did the hike even though it was foggy and we couldn't see Fuji.”

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14.Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Hiking Tour（Hidden Temples）

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · from $52Best value

Meet your English-speaking guide at Saga-Arashiyama Station for a three-hour walk through the bamboo forest, mountain trails, and Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple. Guides such as Taira and Daizen lead groups of up to five, helping you avoid the busiest path and reach broad Kyoto views. The hike is a real uphill walk, so bring water and sturdy shoes. Admission to the temple costs 500 yen.

“We had an amazing tour of the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and surrounding mountains with our guide, Daizen. From the moment he met us at the train station, we felt welcomed and in great hands. He walked us to the bamboo forest, sharinRead more”

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15.Hakone Hachiri: Old Tokaido Highway Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 22 reviews · 7 hours · from $167

Walk about 8 km of the old Tokaido Highway with a certified mountain guide, usually Aki, from Hakone-Yumoto to Mishima. You’ll follow forest paths and Edo-era cobbles, visit Lake Ashi, the Hakone Checkpoint, Yamanaka Castle Ruins, Mishima Taisha, and Genbe River. The day includes traditional amazake at a 400-year-old teahouse.

“Great hike, nature and history September 2024 A really good experience on the old Taikado route. Had a good hike with a good tour guide, he shows the best spots. Aki explains also the history and culture of Japan, so you feel the real experience of the country. PS he also makes great pictures of you💪😊”

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