Hiking & Trekking in Hokkaido |
The central Hokkaido mountains comprise of the area north of the Hakodate Peninsula, south of Asahikawa and west of Obihiro. This is the area of densest mountain coverage in Hokkaido and there are hikes to suit all levels and interests found within. Of particular fame is Mt. Yotei, or "Fuji of the North", which towers impressively over the farmlands of the Niseko area. There are rustic mountain lodges and camping options scattered throughout the region, and access to mountains is general quite straightforward. Contact us for more detailed information.
|
Mountain |
Hiking Level |
Hiking Duration Round-trip / Time of Year |
Location |
Notable Features |
Mt. Maruyama |
Easy |
1 hr / All year |
Sapporo |
Views of downtown Sapporo; Proximity to Maruyama Park & Zoo |
Mt. Moiwa |
Easy |
2 hrs / All year |
Sapporo |
Views of Sapporo; Ropeway access; Summit restaurant |
Mt. Teine |
Medium |
4 hrs / All year |
Sapporo |
Waterfalls; Views of Sapporo & mountains; Reaches top of ski resort; Hot springs access |
Mt. Haruka Dake |
Medium |
4 hrs / All year |
Sapporo |
Sea of Japan views; Mountain lodge stay possible; Hot springs access |
Mt. Hakken-zan |
Easy |
1.5 hrs / May-Nov. |
Sapporo |
Stunning crumbling ridge peak; Mountain & valley views; Horse ranch, pond fishing & Genghis Khan; Hot springs access |
Mt. Kamui Dake |
Medium |
4 hrs / May-Nov. |
Jozankei |
Mountain Views; Hike along river & small dam; Citadel-type summit; Hot Springs access |
Mt. Kotengu Dake |
Medium |
2.5 hrs / May-Nov. |
Jozankei |
Steep ascent; Sapporo Dam views; Hot springs access |
Mt. Tengu |
Medium |
5 hrs / May-Nov. |
Jozankei |
Rugged peak; Hot springs access |
Mt. Yoichi |
Medium |
6 hrs / All year |
Jozankei |
Long ascent; Mountain views; Hot springs access |
Mt. Muine Dake |
Medium |
8 hrs / All year |
Jozankei |
Great mountain views (Mt. Yotei included); Mountain lodge stay possible; Long ascent along access road; Hot springs access |
Mt. Eniwa Dake |
Medium |
5 hrs / May-Nov. |
Lake Shikotsu |
Stunning volcano; Active fumerals; Final summit section slightly technical; Azure hidden lake views; Hot springs access |
Mt. Tarumae |
Easy |
1.5 - 5 hrs / May-Nov. |
Lake Shikotsu |
Stunning volcanic landscape (pictured above); Rim walks; Billowing fumerals; Can be combined with adjoining Mt. Fupushi Dake; Hot springs access; Mountain lodge stays possible |
Mt. Soranuma |
Medium |
6 hrs / All year |
Shikotsu National Park |
Hike along river; Two upland ponds; Mountain lodge stay possible; Ishikari Plain views; Waterfalls |
Mt. Yotei |
Hard |
10 hrs / June-Oct. |
Niseko area |
One of Japan's "100 Famous Mountains"; Mt. Fuji of the North; Rim walk around massive crater; Mountain lodge stay possible; Large elevation gain; Hot springs access |
Mt. Iwanopuri |
Medium |
2 - 8 hrs / May-Nov. |
Niseko area |
Highly active volcanic area; Can be combined with longer circuit hike; Scarred landscape; Hot springs access; Mountain hotel stay possible |
Mt. Shakotan |
Medium |
6 hrs / May-Nov. |
Shakotan |
Conical volcano; Stunning Shakotan Peninsula, coastline formations & Cape Kamui; Sea of Japan views; Hot springs access; Mountain lodge stay possible |
Mt. Shioya |
Easy |
3 hrs / All year |
Otaru |
Sea of Japan views; Hot springs access |
Mt. Shokambetsu |
Medium |
6 hrs / All year |
Mashike |
Uryunuma Marsh; Sea of Japan views; Ridge ascent; Mountain lodge stay possible; Waterfalls, Hot springs access |
Mt. Kogane Yama |
Medium |
2.5 hrs / May-Nov. |
Hamamasu |
Sea of Japan views; Steep but short ascent; Crumbling ridge peak; Hot springs access |
Mt. Poroshiri |
Hard |
10 hrs / May-Oct. |
Hidaka Range |
One of Japan's "100 Famous Mountains"; 25 River crossings; Rim walk; Mountain lodge stay possible |
Kompirayama |
Easy |
1.5 hrs / April-Nov. |
Lake Toya |
The so-called "Trail of Destruction" hike; Earthquake damage to buildings, vehicles, roads and a school from 2000 quake; A fascinating hike; Hot springs access |
Daisetsuzan National Park is Japan's wildest and largest national park, and its entirety is classified as Japan's "100 Famous Mountains." The massive chain of volcanic peaks rises and falls in endless undulations, revealing scarred landscapes, gigantic boulders, primary forest and of course, bears. This is one of the most spectacular hiking regions in Northeast Asia, and a must for serious hikers. We offer everything from half-day hikes to the unbeatable 5 day Daisetsuzan Grand Traverse Trek, which crosses the entire range from north to south. Please contact us directly for more information.
|
Mountain |
Hiking Level |
Hiking Duration Round-trip / Time of Year |
Location |
Notable Features |
Mt. Asahidake |
Medium |
4 hrs / All year |
Northern part of Nat'l Park |
Active fumerals; Ropeway access; Tallest peak of Hokkaido; Incredible views; Hot springs access; Mountain hotel stay possible |
Mt. Kurodake |
Medium |
5 hrs / All year |
Northern part of Nat'l Park |
Ropeway access; Steep ascent; Mountain lodge stay possible; Incredible views; Hot springs access |
Mt. Asahidake to Mt. Kurodake Traverse |
Medium |
7 hrs per day / May-Oct. |
Northern part of Nat'l Park |
A gorgeous and accessible hike; Ropeway access; Overnight at Kurodake mountain lodge; Incredible views; Hot springs access |
Mt. Pippu |
Hard |
7 hrs / All year |
Northern part of Nat'l Park |
Long ascent; Marsh, plains and mountain views; Northernmost peak of nat'l park |
Mt. Tomuraushi |
Hard |
10 hrs / May-Oct. |
Central part of Nat'l Park |
One of Japan's top 100 mountains; Long exposed ascent to the center of the nat'l park; Incredible views; Wilderness |
Mt. Biei |
Medium |
7 hrs / May-Oct. |
Southern part of Nat'l Park |
Gradual horizontal ascent; Views of the plains below; Mountain lodge stay possible; Hot springs access |
Mt. Tokachi Dake |
Hard |
7 hrs / May-Oct. |
Southern part of Nat'l Park |
One of Japan's "100 Famous Mountains"; Steep ascent; Active volcanic peak; Dramatic blackened moonscape; Mountain lodge and hotel stay possible; Hot springs access |
Mt. Furano |
Medium |
6 hrs / May-Oct. |
Southern part of Nat'l Park |
Great views of southern part of range; Access to Furano town; Hot springs access |
Southern Daisetsuzan Loop |
Hard |
6-8 hrs per day / May-Oct. |
Southern part of Nat'l Park |
A 3 day circuit hike with 2 overnights in mountain lodges; Mt. Biei --> Mt. Tokachi Dake --> Mt. Furano --> Tokachi Dake Onsen Resort |
Daisetsuzan Grand Traverse Trek |
Hard |
8 hrs per day / June-Sept. |
Entire range of Nat'l Park |
5 days; Endurance challenge; Absolutely spectacular in every way; One night camping, 4 nights mountain lodge stays; Escape routes |
Mt. Asahibetsu |
Medium |
6 hrs / June-Oct. |
Yubari Range |
While not technically part of Daisetsuzan Nat'l Park, access is very similar; Waterfall ascent; Exposed peak; Variety of flora; Hot springs access |
Hiking & trekking in Eastern Hokkaido offers majestic views, solitary peaks, excellent camping, and one great traverse at Shiretoko Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where visitors have a strong chance of spotting bears or at the very least, soaking in hot springs waterfalls at the end of a challenging two-day trek. Take a look at Eastern Hokkaido's hiking & trekking offerings below, and contact us for more information.
|
Mountain |
Hiking Level |
Hiking Duration Round-trip / Time of Year |
Location |
Notable Features |
Mt. Meakan Dake |
Medium |
5-6 hrs / May-Oct. |
Lake Akan |
Active volcano with billowing fumerals at the peak; Colored pond in the crater; Three routes to choose from; Stunning blue/green Lake Onneto access; Mt. Akan-Fuji side hike; Excellent views |
Mt. Oakan Dake |
Medium |
4-5 hrs / May-Oct. |
Lake Akan |
Lakeside; Inactive volcano; Excellent views; Hot springs access |
Mt. Shari Dake |
Medium |
4-5 hrs / May-Oct. |
Shari |
Located between Shiretoko & Lake Akan; One of Japan's "100 Famous Mountains"; Hike up a waterfall; Excellent views; Mountain lodge stay possible |
Mt. Mashu Dake |
Easy-Medium |
4-5 hrs / May-Oct. |
Lake Mashu |
Access from the fabled Lake Mashu; Crater rim walk; Impressive peak area; Sheer cliff |
Mt. Rausu Dake |
Medium-Hard |
6-7 hrs / May-Oct. |
Shiretoko Peninsula |
Highest mountain in Shiretoko Peninsula; UNESCO World Heritage Site; Two routes available; Hot springs access; Excellent views of Sea of Okhotsk and Kunashiri Island |
Shiretoko Five Lakes |
Easy |
1-2 hrs / May-Nov. |
Shiretoko Peninsula |
Easy loop-hike around 5 lakes area; Good chance of wildlife spotting; |
Shiretoko Traverse |
Medium-Hard |
7-8 hrs per day / May-Oct. |
Shiretoko Peninsula |
A two day traverse across Shiretoko Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Traverse over 6 peaks; Ridge camping; Ends at hot springs waterfall; Excellent sea views |
There are only two notable hiking destinations in Northern Hokkaido, but they are both well-worth the journey north. Imagine taking Mt. Fuji and putting it the Sea of Japan: that's Rishiri Island. The spectacular summit hike, with views all the way to Russia, is unmissable when visiting this region. The more humble Rebun Island is like a slice of Ireland in northern Japan, with rolling green hills that become dramatic cliffs as they plunge into the sea. Both locations offer hot springs, an abundance of wildflowers, gorgeous camping and pristine nature.
|
Mountain |
Hiking Level |
Hiking Duration Round-trip / Time of Year |
Location |
Notable Features |
Mt. Rishiri |
Medium-Hard |
8-10 hrs / June-Oct. |
Rishiri Island |
Conical volcano; 3 approach routes; 250 species of birds; wildflowers; Incredible Sea of Japan & Russia views; Hot springs access; Unstable weather |
Mt. Rebun |
Easy |
2-3 hrs / May-Oct. |
Rebun Island |
Easy hike to highest peak on Rebun Island; Wildflowers; Sea of Japan views; Hot springs access |
Rebun Island 8-Hour Trail |
Medium |
8 hrs / May-Oct. |
Rebun Island |
Traversing the entire length of Rebun Island, the hike takes in the beautiful Ireland-like coastline; Mostly flat hiking; Hot springs access; Wildflowers |
While not known for its abundance of mountains, Southern Hokkaido has one very special peak, Mt. Komaga Dake. Situated on the shores of the painting-like Onuma Lake with its tiny islets, Mt. Komaga-Dake looms overhead in a volcanic splendor. The craggy peak with sharp volcanic stones will put you directly in touch with the powerful forces of nature around you: fire, water, wind & Earth.
|
Mountain |
Hiking Level |
Hiking Duration Round-trip / Time of Year |
Location |
Notable Features |
Mt. Komaga Dake |
Medium |
4-5 hrs / May-Nov. |
Lake Onuma Quasi-National Park |
Sharp, attractive peak; Lake Onuma access; Great views; Camping & islets walks |
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