I’ve been hiking in Japan for many years and would like to share the experience by organizing hiking trips there. This will be a memorable experience with amazing food, views, and amenities that blends tourism, adventure, and camaraderie while exploring mountains very different from our own. If you are available for 2 or 3 weeks in late August and early September, and have an interest in an international destination for hiking and possibly scrambling, feel free to sign up for the info session by joining this trip. 

Generally the trails in Japan are well established, maintained, and are comparable to BC’s best front country trails. Full service huts called Sansos are common on the major routes, so you can bring daytrip gear for overnight trips. One night in a sanso ranges from $80-120 a night, which includes dinner and breakfast, and a full mattress, bed, and sheet set. Flushing toilets are standard, as is lighting and power plugs to charge devices. Think of them as 2-star mountain hotels. More will be shared in the planning sessions ahead of time, however here’s an example in a video I posted last summer (hut at the 5 minute mark): https://youtu.be/vUZqR7mebqY?si=NtKhYYPEHG3dRV_r  

 I’ll help arrange two weeks of lodging, transport, meals, translation, and guide our small group on the mountain itself, for $500/person. You’ll still need to cover airfare (I can make recommendations), accommodations, and food costs. You should have hiking experience, good clothing for various weather, and reliable footwear. I recommend being able to do the Grind (or a 10 km run) in under 80 minutes; a moderate pace will be the default, however it’s good to have an extra gear if the situation demands it.

For 2 weeks all in, I would budget $2,000-2,500 plus airfare, however it depends on how you like to travel. That budget can be reduced to $1,500 or stretched, depending on your choices. 

There will opportunities to buy gear prior to the outings from the many outdoor and sporting goods stores (prices are favourable, as is the currency conversion). If this is your first hiking trip abroad, I can advise you on that as well.

I’m proposing the following agenda and destinations, however if there is a special request, we’ll look at those options:

Week 1 Japanese Northern Alps Itinerary:

Arrive in Tokyo between Aug 25-28^th.

Day 1: Meet in Tokyo(Shinjuku station) then take shinkansen to Nagano for hotel check in and group dinner

Day 2: Bus to Hakuba, then hike up to Mount Shirouma (one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains, called Hyaku Meizan), and stay in Hakuba Sanso for the night

Day 3: Hike the high ridgeline trail to Tengu Sanso and stay the night. Side trip to hot springs is possible depending on our time.

Day 4: the most technical day, but nothing sketchy, sees some use of fixed chains and ladders as we make our way to Karamatsu and down to Hakuba.

An option is adding a night and visiting Goryu Dake. We can also stay in the quaint village of Hakuba in the valley if the team prefers.

Day 5 & 6 are a return to Tokyo (if desired), and possibly a few cultural outings as a group.

Week 2 Japanese Southern Alps Itinerary: Omote Ginza Trail

Day 1: Shinkansen to Nagano, bus to Kamikochi, hike to Mt Yari. Stay at sanso

Day 2: Summit Mt Yari, then traverse to Mt Otensho, and say at sanso there 

Day 3: Mount Otensho - Mount Jonen - Yokoo Sanso -  Kamikochi. Stay in Alps Mountain Villa lodge

Day 4:(optional) hike up Mt. Hotaka-dake (day hike or overnight)

 Information session will be held April 30^th for those seriously interested and able to commit. Zoom link will be added in forum