Trekking in Northern Japan Alps

The Northern Japan Alps hold the country's greatest high-mountain walking, and the classic traverse runs their spine — roughly a week on the ridge from Kamikōchi, linking Yari, the Hotaka peaks and, for the committed, Tsurugi, mostly around 3,000 metres. It is relentless in a straightforward way: climb to a col, drop to a hut, and repeat, day after day.

The revelation for most visitors is the huts. These are not the spartan bothies of other ranges but staffed mountain lodges that serve hot meals, lay out futons and sometimes pour a cold beer, at places you can only reach on foot. Walking hard all day and arriving at one is the rhythm of the entire trip.

The season is short — roughly July to early October, while the huts are open — and reservations became far stricter after 2020. Typhoon season overlaps the best walking weather, so build in slack days and keep a close eye on the forecast.

Huts open roughly July to early October and take reservations, which became far stricter after 2020. Typhoon season overlaps the best walking weather.