Welcome to JAPANWILDS, your ultimate resource for exploring Japan’s natural beauty and cultural richness. We specialise in providing high-quality maps and comprehensive hiking guides to help you navigate Japan’s breathtaking landscapes.
Hidden between the Southern Alps and the Fuji Five Lakes Area, Mt Daigo (醍醐山 Daigo-yama 635m), is a relatively short and easy, low-altitude hike, best done in the late Autumn or early Spring. It’s recommended to start from Kaitokiwa station, on the Minobu line, and end at Shimobe Onsen, the next station down the line, where one can enjoy a refreshing hot spring bath at the modern “Shimobe-no-yu” before heading back. If time allows, why not try your hand at gold panning at the nearby Yu-no-oku Museum of Gold Mining History?
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Mt Hachibuse (Hachibuse-yama 鉢伏山 1929m), located near Northern Yatsuga-take and accessible by car from Matsumoto City, is a physically challenging but technically easy hike. The long climb, mostly along a rushing mountain stream, ends with a stunning panorama of the Northern Alps. Strolling along the level summit area between Mt Mae-Hachibuse and the Hachibuse Observatory, one can also see the Matsumoto Basin, Utsukushi-ga-hara, Southern Yatsugatake, the Southern and Central Alps, as well as Mt Fuji. Before heading back, make sure to take a restorative hot spring bath at Hinoki-no-yu.
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Mt Tana (Tana-yama 棚山 1171m), is a flat-topped mountain (the character in the name means “ledge”), located in the southern part of the Oku-chichibu mountain range. The starting point for this intermediate level hike, best done in the Spring and Autumn, is Hottarakashi Onsen and Campsite, featured in the Yuru Camp manga and animation (Laid-Back Camp in English). From the summit, one can get views of the Minami Alps on the south side, and Daibosatsurei on the east side. Before boarding the bus back to Yamanashi-shi station, make sure to enjoy the view of Mt Fuji from the outdoor bath at Fruit Onsen Puku Puku.
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The hardly known Benten-mine (弁天峰 265m) lies on a mountain range running from the centre of the Kunisake Peninsula to the south-east. The starting point of the hike, Hoon-ji Temple, can only be reached by car. The clockwise hike first leads through dense forest on a tarmac path, past Taga-jinja, to Benten-mine. Initially flat, the path becomes very steep towards the summit. Although one is hiking on the official section of the Kunisaki Long Trail (K-4), the path does not appear to be hiked very often. Experience beautiful countryside of the Kunisaki Peninsula, with lush forests, tranquil rivers, and serene mountain landscapes.
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Avenza Maps is a powerful tool for outdoor enthusiasts. It allows you to download and access our professional maps offline, ensuring reliable navigation even without an internet connection. With real-time GPS tracking, you can view your exact location, track your route, and mark waypoints on the map.
Discover Japan’s wild side with our specialised search tool for hiking enthusiasts! Explore a diverse range of trails and find routes featuring engaging blogs by experienced hikers and detailed bilingual maps created by a Swiss cartographer.
Whether you’re planning a leisurely hike or a strenuous climb, our search feature helps you find trails filled with expert advice and helpful navigation tools.
