Tokyo: A Refined Beginning
Our journey begins in Japan’s dynamic capital, where contemporary design and centuries-old traditions coexist effortlessly. We gather for a welcome dinner and orientation, setting the tone for the week ahead before leaving the city behind the next day for Japan’s mountainous interior on one of Japan’s world-famous bullet trains.
This special itinerary was designed by Ryder-Walker guide Erik Larsen together with our Japan-based partner, Takuma Matsutani, following an extensive research journey through the Northern and Central Japan Alps. Created as Ryder-Walker’s first-ever Japan Alps trek, the route combines exceptional hiking with immersive cultural experiences, thoughtfully selected accommodations, and the distinctive hospitality for which Japan is known.
Central Alps & Aichi Prefecture
Our first hikes introduce Japan’s forested mountains and sacred peaks. On Mt. Horaiji, trails wind through ancient cedar forests to historic temple grounds, offering a quiet and atmospheric introduction to alpine Japan. In the Central Alps, scenic gondolas lift us high above the valley floor, where rugged terrain, volcanic landscapes, and expansive views define a full day in true alpine country.
These mountain regions reveal a quieter side of Japan, where traditional villages, alpine culture, and beautifully maintained trails create a hiking experience unlike anywhere else in the world.
The Nakasendo Trail: Walking Through History
One of Japan’s most storied routes, the Nakasendo once connected Kyoto and Edo (modern-day Tokyo). Walking between the beautifully preserved post towns of Magome and Tsumago, we follow stone paths through forests and rural villages largely unchanged for centuries. It’s an experience that feels both intimate and timeless.
Traditional wooden inns, quiet mountain corridors, and beautifully preserved architecture offer a glimpse into Japan’s Edo-period past, while the surrounding countryside provides some of the most peaceful walking of the journey.
Tateyama & the Northern Alps
The Tateyama region delivers some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the country. Traveling via a remarkable sequence of cable cars, gondolas, and alpine buses, we reach high elevation terrain where broad volcanic plateaus, alpine lakes, glacial features, and sweeping ridgelines define the landscape.
Autumn colors here are especially vivid, contrasting sharply with the rugged alpine environment of the Northern Japan Alps. Hiking elevations range from forested valleys around 2,000 feet to nearly 10,000 feet on our alpine days, creating a varied and visually spectacular mountain experience.
Kamikochi: A Grand Finale
Often considered the crown jewel of Japan’s mountain parks, Kamikochi offers pristine trails framed by jagged peaks, braided rivers, and larch forests glowing with fall color. Our final hikes explore one of Japan’s most iconic alpine valleys, where dramatic mountain scenery and exceptionally well-maintained trails create a fitting conclusion to the journey.
The combination of clear mountain rivers, volcanic peaks, suspension bridges, and peaceful forest walking makes Kamikochi one of the most memorable hiking destinations in all of Japan.
Where We Stay
Throughout the journey, we stay in a handpicked collection of refined boutique hotels and traditional ryokans that reflect the character of each region. Many feature natural hot spring onsens, an essential part of Japanese mountain culture and one of the highlights of traveling in Japan.
Evenings are designed to be restorative and memorable, pairing exceptional hospitality with beautifully prepared seasonal cuisine. Many dinners feature traditional multi-course kaiseki meals showcasing regional specialties from both the mountains and the sea.
One night is spent in a traditional alpine hut high in the Northern Japan Alps, adding a memorable mountain experience and a deeper connection to Japan’s alpine hiking culture.
Learn more about Ryder-Walker’s Japan Alps trek here.
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