Where to Go in Japan in October 2026: 6 Highland Autumn Gems
In October 2026, autumn reaches Japans highlands weeks before the Kyoto maples. Six hidden gems-the Northern Alps, Kiso post towns and old forests-at their best.
Tag hiking
Things to Do in Kamikochi 2026: A Local’s Valley Guide
Kamikochi is a car-free alpine valley in Nagano, open Apr 17-Nov 15, 2026. A local guide to things to do, getting there, where to stay, and when to go.
Jomon Sugi Trekking 2026: 22km Round Trip to Japans Oldest Cedar
The Arakawa Trail to Jomon Sugi is 22km round trip and 9-12 hours, ending in 30 minutes in front of a cedar that may be 7,200 years old. 2026 shuttle and forest-fee numbers, hour-by-hour breakdown, and what to actually pack.
Kamikochi Walking Guide 2026: Taisho Pond to Myojin Bridge in One Day
Nagano · Kamikochi · 2026 Kamikochi Walking Guide 2026 Taisho Pond to Myojin Bridge in one day — flat trail, 7 km, no boots required. The Azusa River and Hotaka mountains — the view that defines Kamikochi. Kamikochi opened for…
Togakushi Shrine Reopening 2026: 9 Dates & Access Guide
Togakushi Shrine’s 400-year-old cedar avenue in Nagano reopened in mid-April 2026 after a rare full-winter closure caused by avalanche risk and a surge in social-media-driven etiquette violations. The Okusha main shrine itself reopens in late April with the spring transfer…
7 Days in Kansai: A Journey Beyond Kyoto to Hidden Temples & Sacred Trails
I’ve spent a lot of time on temple paths and mountain trails around Japan. Kyoto’s famous pavilions and bamboo groves are worth seeing, but I keep coming back to the quieter places just past the usual tourist routes. This 7-day…
Climbing Mt Fuji in Winter: A Rescuer’s Urgent Warning
Do not climb Mt. Fuji outside official season Mt. Fuji’s official climbing season is early July to early September. Outside this window all trails are closed, all huts are shut, no resident rescue team is on the mountain, and conditions…
Haha no Shirataki: A Sacred Frozen Waterfall Near Mt. Fuji
In the mountains north of Lake Kawaguchiko sits Haha no Shirataki (母の白滝), the Mother’s White Waterfall. It is worth a visit in any season, but in the coldest part of winter the 15-meter falls freeze over completely, and that is…
Tsumago-juku: A Journey Back in Time on the Nakasendo Samurai Trail
Step into a living museum where the world of the samurai is perfectly preserved. Tsumago-juku, nestled in the heart of Nagano’s Kiso Valley, is not just a destination; it’s a journey back to the Edo period. This guide explores the…