Hiking & Trekking in Hokkaido
For those with an interest in hiking & trekking, Hokkaido offers nearly unlimited terrain with well-maintained trails in pristine natural conditions. Unlike the rest of Japan, Hokkaido's low population density results in uncrowded trails, campsites and mountain accommodation.
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We guide all levels of hiking & trekking tours in Hokkaido - from forest walks to 2 week summit marathons -  and you can rest assured that you're in very competent hands: our guides have many years of local and international hiking experience, know the mountains intimately and will always assure your safety. We can add hiking & trekking elements to any Hokkaido itinerary at any time of year. For image searches on the hikes below, you'll have more success searching using Japanese mountain names. Please contact us for more details on any of the hikes below and others not listed.

Central Hokkaido: Most Popular Hikes

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
​円山登山
Easy
1 hr / All year
Sapporo
Views of downtown Sapporo; Proximity to Maruyama Park & Zoo
Mt. Moiwa
​藻岩山
Easy
2 hrs / All year
Sapporo
Views of Sapporo;  Ropeway access; Summit restaurant
Mt. Teine
​手稲山
Medium
4 hrs / All year
Sapporo
Waterfalls; Views of Sapporo & mountains; Reaches top of ski resort; Hot springs access
Mt. Haruka
​春香山
Medium
4 hrs / All year
Sapporo
Sea of Japan views; Mountain lodge stay possible; Hot springs access
Mt. Hakken-zan
​八剣山
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
​神威岳
Medium
4 hrs / May-Nov.
Jozankei
Mountain Views; Hike along river & small dam; Citadel-type summit; Hot Springs access
Mt. Kotengu Dake
​小天狗岳
Medium
2.5 hrs / May-Nov.
Jozankei
Steep ascent; Sapporo Dam views; Hot springs access
Mt. Tengu Dake
​定山渓天狗岳
Medium
5 hrs / May-Nov.
Jozankei
Rugged peak; Hot springs access
Mt. Yoichi Dake
​余市岳
Medium
6 hrs / All year
Jozankei
Long ascent; Mountain views; Hot springs access
Mt. Muine
無意根山
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
​恵庭岳
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
​樽前山
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 Dake
​空沼岳
Medium
6 hrs / All year
Shikotsu National Park
Hike along river; Two upland ponds; Mountain lodge stay possible; Ishikari Plain views; Waterfalls
Mt. Yotei
​羊蹄山
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. Iwaonupuri
イワオヌプリ
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
​積丹岳
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
​塩谷丸山
Easy
3 hrs / All year
Otaru
Sea of Japan views; Hot springs access
Mt. Shokambetsu Dake
​暑寒別岳
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
北海道黄金山
Medium
2.5 hrs / May-Nov.
Hamamasu
Sea of Japan views; Steep but short ascent; Crumbling ridge peak; Hot springs access
Mt. Poroshiri Dake
幌尻岳
Hard
10 hrs / May-Oct.
Hidaka Range
One of Japan's "100 Famous Mountains"; 25 River crossings; Rim walk; Mountain lodge stay possible
Kompirayama
金比羅　火口
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: Japan's largest

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
旭岳
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
​黒岳
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 Dake
比布岳
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
トムラウシ山
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 Fuji
美瑛富士
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
​十勝岳
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 Dake
​富良野岳
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, 3 nights in mountain huts; Escape routes
Mt. Ashibetsu
​芦別岳
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

Eastern Hokkaido: Most Popular Hikes

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
​雌阿寒岳
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
​雄阿寒岳
Medium
4-5 hrs / May-Oct.
Lake Akan
Lakeside; Inactive volcano; Excellent views; Hot springs access 
Mt. Shari Dake
​斜里岳
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
摩周岳
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
​羅臼岳
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
知床五湖
Easy
1-2 hrs / May-Nov.
Shiretoko Peninsula
Easy loop-hike around 5 lakes area; Good chance of wildlife spotting; 
Shiretoko Traverse
​知床連山
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 

Northern Hokkaido: Rishiri & Rebun Islands

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
​利尻山
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
​礼文山
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
​礼文島
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

Southern Hokkaido: A Solitary Peak

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
​木曽駒ヶ岳
Medium
4-5 hrs / May-Nov.
Lake Onuma Quasi-National Park
Sharp, attractive peak; Lake Onuma access; Great views; Camping & islets walks