Our walking holidays in Japan are a great way to experience the natural beauty, fascinating culture and fine cuisine of this magical country. There are countless unique sights to discover, from exploring the ancient shrines of Kyoto to the mountainous trails along the Kumano Kodo.
We believe that a hiking trip in Japan is the best way to experience the country's hidden gems. As you trek through stunning UNESCO World Heritage sites, you can get up close to unique landscapes rich in history. Dense forests, picturesque valleys, quaint villages, awe-inspiring waterfalls and ancient temples are just some of the wonders you will encounter on our walking tours in Japan.
You will be accompanied by a knowledgeable, experienced tour guide every step of the way, to ensure you enjoy each destination at its best. Look at our Japan walking trips below to get started on your adventure.
Japan is a country filled with many beautiful landscapes and you can explore them when you choose Headwater for your guided or self-guided walking tour in Japan. Some of the places you can see include:
Many of our tours encourage you to explore the city of Kyoto for at least a day. Here you'll find an array of Buddhist temples and beautiful garden areas, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Plus, you can visit authentic teahouses to try the famous beverages with the locals.
This is the fourth largest main island in the country. It's the location of Japan's pilgrimage walk, Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage, which lets you experience the amazing island views. Around 150,000 people walk this trail every year (see below), seeking to reach the same levels of enlightenment as the Buddhist monk Kukai once did.
Tokyo is a thrilling city to explore during your Japan walking holiday. The capital is famous for its incredible shopping experiences, fascinating skyline architecture and countless delicious restaurants around almost every corner. There are numerous must-see places in Tokyo including the gardens of the Imperial Palace.
Self-guided pilgrimage
10 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 3
Stretching
Printed route
directions
Self-guided walking
10 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 2+
Moderate plus
Printed route
directions
Self-guided walking
10 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 2+
Moderate plus
Printed route
directions
Guided group walking
13 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 3
Stretching
Printed route
directions
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Where appropriate, we grade our holidays based on distance, terrain, elevation gain, remoteness, etc and categorise them into 4 relative groups. This is ultimately subjective and may vary slightly day to day; for more advice, please see the specific trip page or call one of our friendly team.
The most famous walk in Japan is the Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage. This follows in the footsteps of Kukai, who it is claimed in the 9th century visited each of the 88 Buddhist temples along the 1,200km trail. The history behind this spiritual journey is fascinating and our Japan walking tours can be self-guided, so you can explore at your own pace to take it all in.
The Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage walk is generally completed for the following reasons:
Japan is very walkable and our tours have a curated itinerary so that you can see everything that this beautiful country has to offer. You will have to get public transport along the way but it's super-efficient, so you'll be back walking in no time.
Our Japan walking tours mostly take place between March and November, which are great months to visit. However, we recommend travelling between October and November for optimal walking conditions and stunning autumnal scenery. The weather sits in the high teens and little rainfall can be expected – the rainy season is June-July – making it a comfortable walking experience.
Japan's weather and terrain can be unforgiving at times, so packing the correct equipment is essential. This includes:
With summer temperatures capable of rising above 30°C in Japan, keeping yourself protected from the sun is essential. We recommend wearing a hat, sunglasses and long-sleeved but lightweight clothing. Should it rain, then light waterproofs are necessary.
A good pair of walking boots is important, so you have adequate grip wherever the trail takes you on your walking holiday in Japan.
While a good base level of fitness is encouraged for walking in Japan, our tours vary in difficulty. Many of the city-based walks that you'll encounter are gentle and can be taken at a leisurely pace. For example, in Tokyo, you'll be able to stroll through the city with frequent stops for refreshments. Likewise, sections of the Nakasendo Way are less challenging and can be completed in around three hours, including time for breaks.
However, it's worth knowing that some of the climbs and hiking routes are challenging. For example, the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage involves a mountainous waterfall trek - as you can imagine, this involves several steep ascents, so we'd recommend training accordingly.
With this being said, most of our walking tours of Japan have been designed to be accessible and enjoyable regardless of fitness level. If you're not sure whether you'd be suited to one of our walking tours, speak to our team. They know the routes like the back of their hands and will be able to let you know whether they think you're a good candidate.
When you book a walking tour of Japan with us, you can expect long, scenic walks through undulating terrain and enough culture to last a lifetime. You'll wake up early (before sunrise some days!) and set off to explore iconic sites like temples, shrines and important historic memorials.
Our walking tours of Japan include local experiences to enrich your holiday. As well as sampling some of the best Japanese cuisine, you'll get to enjoy tea ceremonies and other traditional rituals.
When piecing together your itinerary, we think of everything so you don't have to. You can rely on us to provide well-organised tours that allow time to enjoy your trip and make memories that'll last a lifetime. Add luxurious accommodation into the mix and you'll get a quality experience and personal service.
Our near 40 years of creating incredible itineraries for worldwide locations means you can depend on us for a Japan walking holiday. Here are just some of the reasons you should consider Headwater when you book:
