The author on top of Kariba-yama 狩場山 1520m, Hokkaido.
Welcome to JAPANWILDS, your number one resource for exploring the natural beauty and cultural richness of Japan. We specialise in providing high-quality maps and comprehensive hiking descriptions to guide you through Japan’s stunning landscapes.
JAPANWILDS was founded in 2022 by Markus Hauser, a Swiss cartographer currently living in Switzerland and who also goes by the name The Hokkaido Cartographer. With over 30 years of professional experience as cartographer, he has been actively working on Japan-related projects since 2008. Before that, he was travelling through Tajikistan for over 15 years, producing maps aimed at tourists and schools for UNESCO and SDC Switzerland. For those curious to know more about these activities, please have a look here: Tajikistan – New topographic overview maps for schools and tourism.
But back to Japan! Markus’ collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment of Japan and Hokkaido University led to the creation of the first English/Japanese hiking map of Hokkaido’s highest mountain, Asahi-dake, which was featured in the Atlas of Design in 2018. More information about this project can be found here: Asahi-dake Hiking Map in the “National Report – Cartography in Switzerland 2015–2019”. Markus also conceived the A4 “minimaps” (design and folding) now used on HokkaidoWilds.org, showcasing our commitment to innovation and quality.
Japan has tremendous potential for all kinds of outdoor activities, from hiking and ski touring to cycling and kayaking. Accurate and up-to-date topographic maps are essential for navigating these outdoor activities. While Japan does have such maps (but not in Swiss quality), they can be challenging for non-Japanese speakers. This is where JAPANWILDS comes in. We provide bilingual maps of exceptional quality to help outdoor enthusiasts explore the unknown regions of Japan. Additionally, we offer access to the best hiking descriptions in English, ensuring that non-Japanese speakers can easily find valuable information and tips for their outdoor adventures.
Our vision is to inspire outdoor pursuits and deepen the connection between people and nature through exceptional cartographic products and engaging content. By promoting responsible travel and environmental stewardship, we aim to contribute to the conservation of Japan’s natural heritage.
High-Quality Maps: We produce meticulously crafted maps in the style of the awarded Asahi-dake map, ideally suited for hikers, travellers, and researchers. Our bilingual maps ensure accessibility for non-Japanese speakers and are available for download on the Avenza Maps website. Like other publishers of hiking maps in Japan, we use the official map data from the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI), the national organisation responsible for basic surveying and mapping. Since data can sometimes be outdated or even inaccurate, we make sure to check satellite images and conduct in-depth research using various online resources to ensure our maps have the most accurate and up-to-date information, which sets us apart from other publishers. For more information about the map making process please visit About The Maps.
Hiking Descriptions: Our links to hundreds of hikes across Japan provide detailed guides, practical advice, and first-hand accounts from active English-language bloggers. From beginner-friendly paths to challenging routes, our content is aimed at helping you make the most of your hiking experiences.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the following individuals for their invaluable input and feedback:
Special thanks to Tommy Adams (EntoDigital) for his patience and skill in creating this website.