Snowless Mountains for Winter Hiking

Japan has both regions with heavy winter snowfall as well as those where it does not snow at all. Here we will introduce some hiking courses that can be enjoyed in the winter thanks to a lack of snowfall.

Broadly speaking, the areas of Japan with the heaviest snowfall are the northern island of Hokkaido and the side of the country that faces the Sea of Japan. Mountainous areas of the Tohoku region, Niigata Prefecture, and Nagano Prefecture on the Sea of Japan side have especially heavy snowfall, with some seeing as much as two meters of snow. In some years, the snowfall can exceed six meters. Hiking in areas like this requires proper winter hiking equipment. While the western half of Japan is warmer than its eastern half, high mountains on the Sea of Japan side of the country such as the Kuju Mountain Range (Kuju Renzan), the warmest of Japan’s main islands, can still see dozens of centimeters of snowfall.

The view of Mt.Fuji from Mt.Tonodake

The Greater Tokyo Area on the Pacific Ocean side of the country, meanwhile, sees little snowfall and many days of fair weather. Mt. Takao and the Tanzawa mountain range offer a clear view of a snowcapped Mt. Fuji. In the Kansai region, the area around the Rokko Mountains on the coast of the Seto Inland Sea rarely sees any snow accumulation, even in the winter.

Of course, even these areas have significant snowfalls a few times per year. There is also a danger of the trails freezing over. For this reason, you should always pay attention to the weather forecast before going hiking in the winter.

“Snowless Mountains for Winter Hiking” featured on this site are as listed below.

• Circulating Route on Mt. Tsukuba from Tukubasan-jinja Shrine Tour around the twin peaks that command a view of the Kanto Plain.
• Mt. Mitake: Cable Car and Rock Garden Circuit / Tokyo hiking A sacred tour of Mt. Mitake through its rock garden.
• Mt. Takao to Mt. Jinba Traverse / Tokyo , Kanagawa hiking An extended pleasant trail perfect for a first-time traverse.
• The Easiest Route Up Mt. Takao / Tokyo hiking Tokyo's most popular mountain, the fast way.
• Pyramidal Mt. Oyama, One of the Easier Tanzawa Peaks A Sacred Mountain and Japan Heritage Site.
• Tanzawa, Mt. Hinokiboramaru Round trip via the Tsutsuji Shindo Trail A popular Nishi Tanzawa peak with plenty of flowers along the way.
• Mt. Nabewari, Beginning at Okura (Round Trip) / Tanzawa hiking, Kanagawa Get your udon noodle fix on this popular mountain.
• Round Trip from Okura, through Mt. Tonodake, Mt. Tanzawa and Mt. Hirugatake Head for the center and the highest peak of the Tanzawa mountain range.
• Mt. Tonodake, Beginning at Okura Ridge (Round Trip) Shortest trail to the highest peak on the Tanzawa-Omote Ridge.
• Tanzawa Omote-one Ridge Traverse A diverse traverse with epic views.
• From Ashiya Rock Garden to Arima Onsen via the Totoya Trail / Kobe hiking The most popular route on Rokko Mountains.
• From Mt. Higashi Otafuku to Takarazuka via the Higashi Rokko Traverse and Mt. Rokko's highest peak / Kobe hiking Walking the climax of the Traverse of the Whole Rokko Mountain Range.
• Hike the Tengu Trail up Mt. Maya, Descending via the Aotani Trail / Kobe hiking Hike the Toughest Trail on the Rokko Traverse, Tengu Trail, to Mt. Maya
• Round Trip of Mt. Homan from Kamado-jinja Shrine Experience the history of religious faith in the sacred mountain of Shugendo.
• A Scenic Hike Around Kusasenrigahama in the Mt. Aso Area Hike through a scenic area while viewing grand, large-scale mountain vistas forged by active volcanoes.
• Hike Up to Mt. Tsurumi from Matogahama Set out from 0 meters above sea level and ascend the mountain that is as a symbol of Beppu Onsen.
• Round Trip of Mt. Yufu from the Front Trailhead Beautiful twin peaks surrounded by hot springs.
• Round Trip Hike of Mt. Kaimon from Kaimon Sanroku Fureai Park Enjoy the views of a laurel forest and the East China Sea.