Given the beauty and historic value of the Kansai region, it's no wonder the best hikes in Kansai include some of Japan's most beautiful and enchanting trails. The Kansai Region stretches across the southern section of the main island, from Hyogo prefecture over to Mie, wrapping down to Wakayama. It includes some of Japan's most popular travel destinations including Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe. Perhps one of the most culturally rich hiking areas can be found in Kyoto, where fairly easy walks are paired with visions of UNESCO Heritage Temples, bamboo groves, gorgeous gardens, teahouses, and perhaps even the odd geisha. Outside the city are some worthwile mountain hikes: Kurama has trails up a nearby mountain supposedly protected by the mythical tengu, and Mount Hiei is a must-hike for students of Japanese history and Buddhist spirituality. Nearby Nara offers travelers the most unique of hiking companions, who could traverse primeval forests in the company of wild and adorable Sika deer. If you are fortunate to be hiking in late March, Nara's Mount Yoshino is an absolute must for hikers; the cherry blossom forest considered one of the greatest springtime sights in the whole country. Kansai isn't wanting for pilgrimage hikes to ancient temples. Wakayama prefecture contains the famed Kumano Kodo, a challenging hike across rugged terrain that connects the primary temples known as the Kumano Sanzan. Slightly less demanding (but no less spiritually fulfilling) hiking trails can be found at Mount Koya, meditation place of the famed Buddhist monk Kobo Daishi, with densly forested trails wind around the temple complex, not to mention its massive (and utterly fascinating) graveyard. There are top hiking paths in Kansai to be enjoyed in every season, as well as fulfilling for every challenge level. Consider adding one of the following top Kansai hikes to your next Japan vacation.
The Kyoto Hiking Trails offer the perfect mix of Japanese cultural treasures and breathtaking natural splendor. There are hikes within the city itself that showcase the city's magnificent temples and shrines, as well as hiking trails that take you up into the nearby hills in scenery that makes you feel like you've stepped into a traditional Japanese fairy tale. Whether you stroll the walking paths of Arashiyama between the Sagano Bamboo Grove and Togetsukyo Bridge, take the path under the Thousand Red Torii Gates of Fushimi Inari, or hike the trails up Mount Daimonji for a panoramic view of the whole city, hikers will certainly spend their time enchanted by Kyoto. Venturing to the outskirts of the city is the best opportunity to catch a glimpse of the local wildlife: wild deer, foxes, bears, boars, monkeys, and tanuki may be seen in the in the forests and mountains surrounding the city, especially when walking the Kyoto Isshu Trail - a 70 km path that winds around the old capital and is one of Kyoto's top hiking trails.
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Kyoto Hiking Trails
Kurama is a charming village in the Kitayama Mountains, the starting point for the Kurama-Kibune Hiking Trail. The Kurama Trail is a perfect blend of Japanese history and nature: including traditional shrines and temples, a twisted cedar forest full of mystery, a hidden bell tower, and other little cultural gems. The route is mostly paved, with some stone and dirt trails; perfect for beginning or casual hikers. Halfway through the hike sits the picturesque wayside shrine of Kurama-dera, in the forest wilderness at the base of Mount Kurama. This temple and the surrrounding woodland is important to the local Japanese culture, as it is believed that the tengu - enigmatic spirit beings from Shinto folklore, live in the area, and images of the tengu can be seen on the trail. The Kurama trail is open in every season, and is particularly lovely in spring and fall for cherry blossoms and autumn colors.
Kurama|
Mount Hiei is one of Kyoto's chief peaks and the Mount Hiei Trails present hikers with the perfect opportunity to see the beautiful landscape outside Kyoto, spot the curious wildlife living in the area, and visit one of the most historically siginificant locations in Japan. Mount Hiei is home to Enryakuji Temple: the chief temple of the Tendai sect of Japanese Buddhism, once home to the powerful warrior monks who were defeated by samurai leader Oda Nobunaga. Now Mount Hiei is known for its marathon monks, who embark on grueling hikes from the summit. The trail up to the temple is a moderate challenge for a hiker, with some narrow, steep parts of the trail in addition to paved sections. While exploring the trails around Mount Hiei, one may come across the sight of various woodland creatures such as deer, foxes, tanuki, or monkeys. Once hikers arrive at the end of the trail, they are rewarded with magnificent views down into Kyoto as well as a chance to sightsee around magnificent Enryakuji Temple.
Mount Hiei
Minoo Park is just outside metropolitan Osaka, and one of the top nature spots if you desire a pleasant hiking retreat from the big city. The park is an appealing woodland valley especially noted for its glorious autumn colors, although it is open for hikers in any season. Vivid shades of orange and red border the primary trail, which follows a river along an easy route leading to Minoo Waterfall: the region's chief feature. A few other hiking trails extend up behind the waterfall to different spectacular viewing areas in the surrounding hills. The main path is enhanced by the assorted old-fashioned shops, restaurants, and temples travelers pass along the way, including Ryuanji Benzaiten - a quaint Shugendo temple preceded by a picturesque vermillion bridge. Some of the local shops sell momiji tempura (maple leaf deep fried in oil), a local delicacy visitors can enjoy while hiking during the autumn season.
Minoo Park
Nara Prefecture is known as a top spot for hikers exploring the Kansai region, being the home of gorgeous Mount Yoshino as well as some of the most picturesque sections of the famed Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route. But the city of Nara itself is not without gorgeous hiking spots. The wild Sika deer wandering freely around Nara Park (and beyond) give visitors the feeling that Nara is a city in harmony with nature. Nara Deer Park is the best spot in town to take a pleasant stroll; the local deer are largely friendly and tame, and the path around the park is light and easy. Hikers looking for a more moderate challenge can take the trail up into the mountainous area directly east of the park. The Mount Kasuga Primeval Forest presents more moderate trails winding up through the hills, and though it is still within city limits it gives off an untouched sort of atmosphere.
Nara
Mount Yoshino is a mountain in Nara and a prime hiking spot as one of Japan's loveliest World Heritage Sites, home to some unforgettable classic temples. The mountain is good to hike in any season, but by far the best season for a hike up the mountain paths has to be mid-to-late spring. During this narrow window the sides of Mount Yoshino are covered large pockets of pastel-pink clouds: easily one of the top cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan. The mountain is divided into four sections increasing from easy to moderate hiking difficulty. Casual nature-lovers and beginning hikers stroll the lower levels at a leisurely pace, where the cherry trees accent old-fashioned shops and restaurants. But as hikers ascend the levels of springtime heaven, eagerly searching out the panoramic view that captivated the Edo-era artist Hokusai, they find more enchanting landscape and the feeling of stepping into an old-fashioned fairy tale. Blossoms at the top of the mountain bloom later than those at the bottom, so determined hikers who are past the full-bloom period may see some cherry blossoms at the end of the trail. Though it isn't as famous, the mountain also has exquisite autumn colors.
Mount Yoshino
Mount Rokko is a mountain located near the city of Kobe, and one of the Kansai region's most enjoyable hiking experiences, with a hiking trail of moderate difficulty. The trail becomes rocky at certain points, with nearby ropes and chains to assist climbers in reaching the summit. The path from end to end can take 4 to 5 hours, and hikers should prepare for some incredible views of Kobe by the bay, perhaps even a glimpse of Osaka in the distance. The path cuts through wooded areas that house a variety of reclusive wildlife including the Japanese wild pigs, known locally as "inoshishi". Tired and footsore hikers delight to reach the end of their trail at Arima Onsen, one of Kansai's most famous hot spring resorts. The hot springs at this resort specialize in footbaths for hikers who just completed the Mount Rokko Hiking Trail, and is perfect for those looking for a bit of local Japanese culture to wrap up a day of hiking.
Mount Rokko
Koyasan (or "Mount Koya") is a mountain in Wakayama prefecture known for a series of secluded temples that form the heart of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. The hiking trails around Koyasan range from easy to difficult, and pass through some of the most austere, spiritual, and beautiful features of the temple complex including Kongobuji - the head monastery, and Okunoin - the largest cemetery in Japan. Discover the original trail favored by pilgrims to the temple since the time of its founder - Koyasan Choishi Michi Trail. Choishi refers to one of the trail's most distinguishing features: large stone pillars each in the shape of a pagoda. Many of these impressive constructions line the path to the great Daimon Gate of Koyasan, and in between is around seven hours worth of lush natural beauty dotted with old-fashioned homes, shops, teahouses, little shrines, and other cultural treasures. The more adventurous hikers may take the Kohechi Trail - a part of the magnificent Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route, or pick from one of the other splendid trails that wind around the temple complex.
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Koyasan
The Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route is one of the top hiking trails in Japan for serious hikers. The pilgrimage routes criss-cross the Kii Mountain Range and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Though pieces of the route may be traversed by beginners, the whole of the Kumano Kodo passes over mountains with greater gains and losses in elevation than some of the more popular hiking routes (such as the Nakasendo). The result is a more off-the-beaten track hiking experience that takes you through some of Japan's most breathtaking rural landscapes. The most famous pathways connect the three most important shrines of the region, known collectively as the Kumano Sanzan. These routes, some of which are no more than lonely pathways surrounded by tall groves of trees, include grand mountain vistas with charming little villages, picturesque shrines with great wooden torii gates, teahouses, hot springs, and farmland: authentic rural Japan.
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Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage
