Walking Trails & Forest Paths

Japan's most photographed trail passes through a dense grove of towering moso bamboo — the stalks of which can reach 30 metres — that creates one of the most intensely atmospheric landscapes in all of Japanese nature. The bamboo grows so thickly that midday light is filtered to a pale green glow; in wind, the stalks knock together in a sound designated by the Environment Ministry as one of "Japan's 100 soundscapes." The main path through the grove is short — just 400 metres — but connects to the broader Arashiyama trail network, including the Tenryu-ji temple strolling garden and the Saga Toriimoto historic preservation district. Arrive at opening time (5am) to experience the grove before crowds arrive.

The Nakasendo was one of five major highways of the Edo period, connecting Edo (Tokyo) to Kyoto through the mountainous interior of central Japan. The best-preserved section runs between the post towns of Magome and Tsumago through the Kiso Valley's cedar forests — a 8km walk that makes an ideal day trip from Nagoya or a segment of a longer multi-day journey. The flagstone-paved path passes through chestnut and cedar forest, crosses mountain streams on traditional wooden bridges, and arrives at Tsumago, one of Japan's best-preserved post towns, virtually unchanged since the Edo period. The Magome-to-Tsumago walk can be combined with a luggage forwarding service, allowing you to walk with just a day pack.

The Kumano Kodo is one of only two pilgrimage routes in the world designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (the other being the Camino de Santiago in Spain, with which it has an official exchange programme). The network of routes converges on the three Grand Shrines of Kumano — Hongu Taisha, Nachi Taisha, and Hayatama Taisha — deep in the mountains of the Kii Peninsula. The most popular route, the Nakahechi, covers approximately 70km through ancient cedar and camphor forest, passing stone-paved sections worn smooth by millennia of pilgrim feet, remote mountain guesthouses (minshuku), and waterfalls of extraordinary power including Nachi Falls, Japan's tallest at 133 metres. Multi-day sections can be walked independently with detailed preparation, or through guided tour operators.

Located just 50 minutes by train from Shinjuku Station, Mount Takao (599m) is one of the world's most visited mountains, yet its trails remain genuinely beautiful and wild. Eight numbered trails of varying difficulty climb through cedar and oak forest to the summit, where on clear days Fuji appears with startling closeness across the Kanto Plain. Trail 1 (the most direct route) is partially paved and passes Yakuo-in temple — an esoteric Buddhist site active for over 1,300 years — with its colourful tengu (mountain goblin) imagery. The cable car provides an alternative ascent for those preferring a shorter walk. Takao's autumn foliage, when the broad-leaved forest ignites in crimson and gold, is among the finest in the greater Tokyo area. Entry is free; cable car is optional at ¥490 one way.

Named for the Meiji-era philosopher Nishida Kitaro, who was said to have used this canal-side path for his daily meditative walks, the Tetsugaku-no-Michi is Kyoto's most beloved urban trail. The path runs 2km alongside the Shishigatani Canal between Nanzen-ji and Ginkaku-ji (the Silver Pavilion), lined with over 500 cherry trees that form a tunnel of blossoms in late March and early April. Outside of cherry blossom season, the path retains its contemplative quality through its connections to numerous small temples, shrines, and cafes — including Omen, a beloved udon restaurant that has been feeding philosophers and pilgrims since 1969. The path is entirely flat and stroller-accessible; allow 45–60 minutes for a leisurely walk with stops at Nanzen-ji's aqueduct and Eikan-do temple.

The seemingly infinite corridor of vermilion torii gates (nearly 10,000 of them) climbing the forested slopes of Mount Inari behind Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine is one of Japan's most iconic images — yet the trail beyond the crowded lower section offers a profoundly different experience. As you ascend past the Yotsutsuji intersection (where the crowds thin dramatically), the trail network winds through moss-covered secondary shrines, cedar forest alive with bird calls, and viewpoints over southern Kyoto. The full circuit to the summit (233m) and back covers 4km and takes 2–3 hours. The mountain is open 24 hours, and the experience of walking the upper trails by the glow of stone lanterns at dusk is genuinely unforgettable. No admission fee. Wear comfortable walking shoes; some sections involve wooden stairs that can be slippery in rain.