Blazing a trail in Japan's mountains
It wasn't so long ago that trail running was considered to be something only nature geeks did in their spare time. I mean, who in their right mind would want to run up a mountain? Cue the sound of crickets chirping ... Things have changed ...
The open-air museum at the top of Nagano Prefecture
Art meets nature on the Utsukushigahara Highlands, where an idyllic mountain hike offering gorgeous views of the Japan Alps ends with a stroll through a quirky open-air sculpture museum.
How to climb Mount Fuji: A comprehensive guide
Not sure how to climb Mount Fuji, which route to take or what food or gear you need? Read our guide to the mountain to find out what you need to make a successful summer summit.
Top day and multiday hikes in the Japan Alps
With everything from breathtaking alpine vistas to relaxing hot springs, the Japan Alps have numerous hiking options for people of all levels.
Wes Lang and his quest to climb Japan's top 100 mountains
A love of hiking inspired avid mountaineer Wes Lang to scale all of Japan's hyakumeizan (100 top mountains). Now, he's co-written a comprehensive and user-friendly guidebook to hiking in Japan to inspire everyone else.
Taiwan's Zhuilu Old Road hike: A thin ledge, and then a sudden drop
A day trip from Taipei, the Zhuilu Old Road in Taiwan's Taroko National Park is considered to be one of the country's best hikes, though is only for those with a strong head for heights.
Last-minute Golden Week ideas if you’re staying in Japan
If you haven't made plans and are wondering what to do for the 10-day Golden Week, fear not. Here are our picks for some last-minute Golden Week travel ideas in Japan that won't break the bank.
Mount Ontake: Four years after its deadly eruption
Four years after its unexpected eruption, Mount Ontake's scenic hiking trails and summit are once again open for hikers. But will that be enough to bring back visitors?
Free the kids from the concrete jungle
Tokyo may be one of the most populous cities in the world, but it is also just a few hours by train from family friendly hiking trails
Mount Fuji: Cycling and climbing sea to summit for sunrise
Mount Fuji is trying to break me, one hairpin turn at a time. My bike groans with the strain of each pedal stroke and a fine drizzle coalesces into rivulets that run down my skin, cutting a path through the grime of the previous ...
Hitchhiking Japan: 5,000 kilometers in the company of strangers
"I have no idea if people can read this," I think to myself as I look at my first cardboard sign and the spidery writing scrawled across it. The hiragana couldn't be simpler, but I only manage a hesitant smile as I hold up the ...
Slow-paced Izu Oshima is anything but sleepy
A mere Jetfoil away from Tokyo, travelers to Izu Oshima island can expect volcanic hikes, fresh local cuisine and an abundance of hospitality.
