Hiking & Cycling in Japan: Equipment and Levels

Hiking, trekking, and cycling tours designed for international visitors, available throughout Japan. Guided tours are available, and you can join even if you do not speak Japanese. Tours suitable for beginners are included. You can check availability and apply directly. Destinations include Kamikochi, Shirakami Sanchi, Kumano Kodo, Oze, Mt. Fuji, and the Seto Inland Sea, Shimanami Kaido.

Hiking & Trekking Clothing and Equipment
Hiking Level
Cycling Level

Walking

For outdoor walking, most tours allow participation in everyday clothing and sneakers.
Prepare according to the tour details.

Hiking

For trekking and mountain climbing, refer to the equipment list (PDF).

服装

上着・下着とも吸湿性・通気性・速乾性に富んだ素材が最適
※綿製は乾きにくく適しません。
夏場でも高山や高原の朝晩は冷え込むため、必ずフリースなどの防寒具を用意しましょう。
着脱して温度調整ができるように、重ね着を。

ズボン

動きやすい、伸縮性のあるもの、ゆとりのあるものがオススメ
※ジーンズ等の綿素材は濡れた時に乾きにくいため適しません。

帽子

一面につばのあるハットタイプがオススメ
日焼けや熱中症、ケガの防止のために必須。

ザック

日帰りやホテル・ロッジ宿泊なら20～30リットル前後が目安。
山小屋宿泊なら30～40リットル程度のものを。

靴

ハイキング: 防水性のトレッキングシューズがオススメです。

登山: 季節（無雪用・積雪用）や山のレベル、日数に応じた登山靴が最適。
底が厚く硬いものがオススメです。
くるぶしまであるハイカットが捻挫防止にも効果的。

雨具（カッパ）

上下で分かれたセパレートタイプを持参ください。自然の中では雨しのぎだけではなく防寒具としても利用します。
ポンチョや100円均一の雨具は風や耐性の面からお勧めしません。

Check equipment list (PDF)

Hiking Level

Walking tour
Hiking Tour
Trekking (Mountain Climbing) Tours

Walking tour

レベル	特徴	歩行時間
ウォーキング	初めての方でも安心！ほぼ平坦な道(おおむね舗装路)を歩きます。	5時間以内

Hiking Tour

レベル	特徴	歩行時間
ミニハイキング	標高差100m未満、歩行距離5km以内の舗装されていない道歩き。	2時間以内
入門	初めて「野山」を歩く方向き。標高差100m未満のほぼ平坦な道歩き。	3時間以内
初級	本格ハイクへのステップアップに！標高差100m以上、200m未満の登り下りがある道歩き。	2～5時間程度
中級	軽い登山も含む本格的なハイキング。標高差200m以上、300m未満の登り下りがある道歩き。	5時間以上

Trekking (Mountain Climbing) Tours

Level	Description	Walking Time & Distance per Day	Elevation Gain	Number of Guides (※1)
Beginner Mountaineering	This tour is ideal for those who are climbing for the first time or returning to climbing after a break. It does not include difficult sections.	Less than 4 hours Between 5 km and 10 km	300 m to 500 m	1 guide per 12 participants
Mountaineering – Basic A	Walking time and elevation gain increase compared to the beginner tour. Ideal for maintaining physical fitness or stepping up toward intermediate-level climbing.	Less than 5 hours Between 10 km and 12 km	500 m to 700 m	1 guide per 12 participants
Mountaineering – Basic B	Walking time and elevation gain increase compared to the beginner tour. Ideal for maintaining physical fitness or stepping up toward intermediate-level climbing.	Less than 6 hours Between 12 km and 15 km	500 m to 700 m	1 guide per 12 participants
Mountaineering – Intermediate A	This is a full-fledged mountaineering tour. Participants are requested to have completed beginner and basic-level courses beforehand.	Less than 7 hours Between 15 km and 17 km	700 m or more	1 guide per 10 participants
Mountaineering – Intermediate B	This is a full-fledged mountaineering tour. Participants are requested to have completed beginner and basic-level courses beforehand.	More than 7 hours 17 km or more	700 m or more	1 guide per 10 participants
Advanced Mountaineering	This includes routes requiring overall advanced mountaineering skills, not just long walking times or high elevation gain. Such routes clearly exceed intermediate level, with continuous difficult sections such as rocky areas, chains, iron ladders, unstable ground, river crossings, long multi-day traverses, and heightened risks of slipping or falling.	Depends on the tour	Depends on the tour	Depends on the tour (※2)

1) The number of accompanying staff includes lecturers, guides, mountain guides, and tour conductors (TD). However, for beginner/basic courses that include traverses or difficult areas, or Mt. Fuji climbing tours, the tour conductor is also counted as a guide.
*If the tour conductor holds a certified mountain guide qualification from the Japan Mountain Guides Association, they are also counted.

2)The number of guides must follow the standards set by the relevant mountain or region if such standards exist, and must also satisfy both the difficulty grade and guide ratio defined by JATA.
*Walking times are standard estimates based on maps, guidebooks, guide information, and past tour records.
Actual time may vary significantly due to weather, trail conditions, congestion, or participants’ fitness and skill levels.
*Walking time does not include breaks or waiting for other hikers. Actual activity time will be longer.
*Elevation gain refers to the difference between the highest and lowest points of the route. Traverse routes involve greater total accumulated elevation gain.

(！)マークについて	各レベルの末尾に(！)マークがついているコースは、連続する岩場・鎖場・鉄ハシゴ、悪路、渡渉、急な登降などの難所が含まれます。特に中級以上では、バランスに自信のない方や高いところが苦手な方はご遠慮ください。
(縦走)マークについて	各レベルの末尾に(縦走)マークがついているコースは、登山開始場所から下山場所が異なる縦走コースとなります。

Cycling Level

	Beginner	Basic	Intermediate	Advanced
Riding Time (time actually cycling) *Excludes meals and breaks.	Under 2 hours	2 to under 3 hours	3 to under 5 hours	5 hours or more
Distance guide	Under 30 km	30–45 km	45–75 km	75 km or more
Gentle Uphill (under 100 m)	Some	Somewhat many	Many	Many
Steep Uphill (100 m or more)	None	Some	Somewhat many	Many
Notes	Beginner level is ideal for first-time cyclists.	For basic tours, it is recommended to gain experience in beginner tours first.	Intermediate tours are intended for those who have already joined basic-level tours.	Regardless of level, some tours may require overall higher experience, fitness, and technical skills.