I met a friend for a short hike at Pacific Spirit Regional Park, starting from the park centre and looping along several shaded forest trails toward the water. Despite the humid weather and light wildfire smog, it was a peaceful walk filled with friendly off-leash dogs and quiet scenery, ending with a relaxing picnic lunch.

Mt. Tanzawa, one of Japan’s 100 famous mountains, offered a challenging yet rewarding winter hike with stunning views of Mt. Fuji. Starting early, I climbed via Mt. Tonodake and continued to Mt. Tanzawa and Mt. Nabewari. Though steep and snowy in sections, the 8-hour trek was peaceful and unforgettable, especially with Fuji towering in the distance.

While planning my trip to Nara, I came across the Yamanobe no Michi Trail (山辺の道)—said to be Japan’s oldest recorded road. The idea of walking a path that’s been used for over a thousand years was too fascinating to pass up.

The trail winds gently through the foothills east of Nara, passing quiet villages, shrines, and ancient temples. It’s peaceful, easy to follow, and offers a glimpse of rural life far from the city’s bustle. Along the way, I found unmanned farm stands selling fruits and homemade pickles—payment left in a simple honesty box, a lovely reflection of countryside warmth.

By the end of the walk, I realized the Yamanobe no Michi isn’t just a hiking trail—it’s a journey through Japan’s living history, where nature, tradition, and everyday life intertwine beautifully.

I missed a train transfer that would’ve saved some time, and by the time I got off, I had just three minutes to catch the bus—and missed it. After a 30-minute wait, I finally started hiking around 10 a.m.

The trail began on a gentle forest road before crossing a small river and climbing a set of stairs. It wasn’t too difficult, though a short detour section was noticeably steeper. Near the summit, a rest house offered benches and toilets—a good place to pause before the final push.

At the top, strong winds greeted me, so I quickly threw on my jacket, took a few photos, and began my descent. Most hikers continue toward Arima Onsen, but I retraced my steps, enjoying the quieter trail. With two kilometers left, I realized the next bus was leaving in 15 minutes—so I sprinted the last stretch and made it just in time. Lucky me!

What was meant to be an easy stroll to Nunobiki Falls turned into an unexpected hike all the way up Mt. Maya (698m). The trail was steep and quiet, with only a few hikers passing by—no surprise, since the ropeway was closed for maintenance.

At the summit, I was greeted by the famous “ten million dollar view,” hazy but still stunning. As daylight began to fade, I made my way back down, reaching Shin-Kobe Station around 4 p.m. I’d planned for a quick walk, but it turned into quite the adventure—so much for an easy day!

I made a quick stop in Kojima, best known for its denim, but my main goal was to hike the Kaze no Michi Trail and visit Mt. Washu (133m). The trail follows the route of the old Shimotsui Electric Railway, with signs marking the former stations along the way.

Starting near Kojima Station, I followed the path until it branched toward Mt. Washu. The climb was easy—mostly paved, with a few stairs—and the view from the top was spectacular, overlooking the Seto Ohashi Bridge and the Seto Inland Sea. At the visitor center, the friendly staff even gave me a certificate for completing the hike.

On my way back, I stumbled upon a boat race, a fun and unexpected surprise, before grabbing some conveyor belt sushi near the station to end the day. A short stop turned into a memorable adventure.

I planned to start hiking at 8 a.m., but by the time I reached Konzoji it was already 9:15. After visiting the first few temples—Konzoji, Zentsuji, and Koyama—the real challenge began: a steep mountain trail crossing five peaks. The narrow, sandy paths tested my footing, and some sections had me crawling on all fours with chains to hold onto.

Reaching Mt. Gahaishi (481m) was a huge relief, but the descent remained tough. Along the way, I visited Shusshakaji, perched right on a cliff, where an older hiker generously shared chocolate and stories from over 50 years on this trail—an inspiring moment.

The final temples, Mandara and Iyadaniji, pushed my endurance even further, with Iyadaniji’s 500+ steps warning me of the difficulty. Surprisingly, I made it to the top without too much trouble and completed the hike at the train station, exhausted but elated. Today was far harder than I expected, but finishing it made it unforgettable.

I felt much better today thanks to the cooler weather. I took a train from Takamatsu to Kinashi Station, briefly panicking over whether IC cards would work—luckily, they did.

The route wound up a leafy mountain road, switching between trail and paved paths, leading first to Negoroji Temple, a quiet spot where I paid my respects. Halfway to Shiromine Temple, I discovered drinks left by a father in memory of his daughter—a touching gesture that kept me refreshed.

The final stretch to Tennoji Temple was tricky, with unclear signs, overgrown paths, and loose rocks, but I made it safely. With the next train approaching, I didn’t linger long, ending the day with a sense of accomplishment after a challenging but meaningful pilgrimage hike.

While in Shikoku, I decided to walk a section of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage. Though the full route spans 1,200 km, I focused on a small stretch around Mt. Yashima (293m), where Yashima Temple sits. The climb was steeper and sandier than expected, with a few tricky spots where the trail nearly led me the wrong way.

At the top, I met another pilgrim who was surprised to see a foreigner on the route in winter and kindly offered me a bottle of green tea. I spent some time at the temple before heading toward Yakuri Station, ultimately taking the train back to Takamatsu and walking to my accommodation. A short section, but a rewarding taste of the pilgrimage.

A train delay set me back this morning, but I still reached Sagamiko Station before 11 a.m. and walked through a quiet alley to the trailhead behind a temple. The climb started stiff and slow, with some muddy sections, but by Myouō Pass I had found my rhythm—and the view of Mt. Fuji was stunning.

At Jinba Peak, I stopped by the large concrete horse statue and the tea house to snap photos and refuel with a quick snack. The descent followed a new trail winding through tree roots, and by the time I reached the bus stop, I noticed a small scrape on my calf—a minor souvenir from a rewarding day on the trail.

I didn’t choose this hike for the views—I just wanted to get outside. Starting from Hakone-Yumoto Station, I made my way through forested trails to Mt. Sengen (804m), then detoured to Chisuji Falls. The waterfall’s delicate “thousand threads” of water were worth the extra climb.

From there, I hiked up to Mt. Takanosuyama (834m), then on to Hiryu Falls, where I helped a few hikers with a tricky river crossing. The descent led me along the historic Hakone Path, a cedar-lined trail with stone paving. I reached Motohakone just in time to catch the bus—five minutes to spare!

It takes about two hours from Kawasaki Station to the trailhead, and I left a bit later after enjoying the free hotel breakfast. The trail started busy, packed with visitors heading to Oyama Afuri Shrine, but soon became quiet.

Steep climbs and lots of steps warmed up my legs, and I overtook slower hikers along the way. The peak tea houses were crowded, so I opted to descend toward Hinata Yakushi. The trail offered new wooden steps, muddy sections, and stunning panoramic views. I arrived with plenty of time before the next bus, skipping the extra 5 km to Yakushi Shrine to relax instead.

Today was a travel day, but I squeezed in a hike to Mt. Takao (599m). I took Trail 6 up and found it easier than expected, even walking through a shallow stream. Energized at the top, I continued to Mt. Kobotoke-Shiroyama (670m), enjoying Mt. Fuji views along well-maintained trails. The descent took me past a historic waterfall spot before returning to the train station—plenty left to explore next time.

Originally planning to explore shrines and the town, I added a short hike from Hodosan Shrine to Mt. Hodosan (497m). The trail was gentle, quiet, and scenic, with beautiful mountain views from the peak. I descended via the Nagatoro Alps trail, arriving at Nogami Station with five minutes to spare—plenty more trails here to explore in the future.

Getting to Mount Mitake involved three trains, a bus, and a cable car, but the views were worth it. After visiting Musashi Mitake Shrine (921m), I continued to Mt. Odake (1266m), where a short rocky climb tested my hands and feet. I returned via the Rock Garden and waterfall trail, stopping at Nanayo Falls, and enjoyed the mossy river scenery. A rewarding mix of peaks, rivers, and trails—definitely coming back for more.

Staying in Hanno, I hiked Mt. Tenran (197m) and Mt. Tonosu (271m), taking it easy in the morning. Mt. Tenran offered panoramic views of the town, while Mt. Tonosu had muddy patches from rain. The trail along Atsuma Gorge was covered in fallen leaves, making for beautiful but tricky footing. I ended the day at the Hanno Riverbank before returning to my hotel to relax.

Just 35 minutes from Sendai, Rairaikyo Gorge is a peaceful spot lined with mossy rocks and a flowing river. The short 1 km trail winds right below onsen hotels and busy roads, yet feels completely quiet once you descend into the gorge. A quick, refreshing nature escape before heading back to the city.

From Mitazono Station, I walked through endless winter farmland to the Michinoku Trail Center, collecting my official passport. The staff’s warmth balanced the long, monotonous path, while snow and wind made the final stretch to Rikuzen-Takasago Station a test of mental toughness on the Michinoku Coastal Trail.

This section of the Michinoku Coastal Trail takes you from Hoso-Ura Station to Otomo Station, with stunning views of the Goishi Coast’s turquoise waters and dramatic rock formations. A mix of mountain paths, quiet villages, and sea breezes made it one of my favorite hiking days.

On New Year’s Day, I walked from Kesennuma Station across the windy Oshima Bridge, seeing both the city’s tsunami recovery and its changing character. Strong gusts and limited holiday buses cut my hike short, but reaching Oshima Island made for a powerful start to the year.