100 Famous Japanese Mountains

As the most famous mountain in Japan, it needs no introduction. Either come via an overnight bus for a "day" hike, or spend the night in a mountain hut.

When to climb July - August

One of the easiest hyakumeizans, most popular for its yellow Nikko Kisuge flowers which bloom in July.

When to climb May - October

The highest peak in the Yatsugatake mountain range. Possible as a "day" hike from Tokyo if you don't mind taking an overnight bus. Otherwise expect a night's stay in a tent or mountain hut.

When to climb Late May - mid-October

A straightforward beginner-friendly loop course, with good bus access. Particularly popular in May for its pink azaleas. You can also visit the nearby Akagi Shrine.

When to climb May - November

Shikoku 2/2. Pair together with Mt Ishizuchi.

Shikoku 1/2. Access via Matsuyama airport or Shinkansen. Accounting for travel time, may need up to 4 days to climb both Shikoku mountains if you are coming from Tokyo.

Oze National Park 1/3. Gorgeous scenery of the Oze Marsh. Can be combined as a 2-day hike with the neighbouring Mt Hiuchigatake.

Oze National Park 3/3. 4 hour drive from Tokyo or overnight train. Can pair with the other Oze hikes or also with the Nikko hikes.

The easiest mountain in the Northern Alps, and home of the highest bus stop in Japan. Can pair with Mt Ontake or Kamikochi / Mt Yake for a weekend trip.

A still-active volcano that last erupted in 2014. Can pair with Mt Norikura or Mt Kiso-komagatake for a weekend trip.

Day trip accessible via Shinkansen and local train to Doai station, the deepest train station in all of Japan. Very popular in autumn.

Nara 2/2. Will need to make it into an overnight hike (mountain hut available) if you want to take public transport, but possible as a day hike via car.

Nara 1/2. Quite an easy mountain, and has public transport access but not the greatest (I drove). Pair together with Mt Omine.

Hokkaido 2/9. In Daisetsuzan National Park. Tallest mountain in Hokkaido, but also with the best public transport access.

Hokkaido 3/9. The course is not too long, with stunning views into the crater's yellow lake. Unfortunately no public transport access.

Hokkaido 1/9. Has a stream-climbing portion for the adventurous, but also an alternate course. Unfortunately will require car or taxi to the trailhead.

Hokkaido 4/9. One of the longer Hokkaido hikes. With public transport, will need to spend the night near the start of the trail at a hut or hotel, or camp near the peak in the middle of bear country.

Kyushu 5/6. The second-lowest elevation hyakumeizan, climbable for many months of the year.

Kyushu 3/6. A still-active volcano which frequently gets closed off, so check before you go.

When to climb April to November

Kita Alps. Can be combined as part of a 3 (or 4) day hike with Mt Washiba.

Most popularly climbed as a snow hike in the winter, in which case there is public transport access and the course time is shortened to 3.5 hours. The 6.5h summer course does have a portion of chain-climbing over a steep rock-face.

A gorgeous introduction to the Chuo Alps, with the highest ropeway station in Japan. The closest you can get 3000m on a day trip hike from Tokyo.

A bit on the harder side as a day trip, with a 3.5 hour drive from Tokyo, but the course was easier than I expected as the elevation gain is not too steep. Taking public transport will require you to spend the night at the mountain hut.

Can do as a very expensive day trip via Shinkasen access to Yamagata station. Is right next to the popular Zao Onsen town.

The only hyakumeizan in Fukui. The nearest mountains you could drive to are Mt Ibuki, Mt Ena and Mt Haku, although none of them are that close.

Day trip access (albeit expensive) via Shinkansen to Maibara station. As of 2024, the main hiking trail is closed. Instead you can drive (or take a bus in the summer season) to right near the peak.

Kyushu 2/6. Stunning volcano views, good access via highway bus.

Kyushu 1/6. If you had to skip one of the Kyushu hyakumeizan, it would have to be this one. Public transport access will take the course time up to 7.5h.

This one's all one its own in Tottori prefecture. You'll probably take a plane to Tottori airport, climb this one and then fly back home.

Kyushu 6/6. Need to take a boat or plane from the Kyushu mainland to Yakushima island. Could maybe squeeze it as a day hike, or spend a night at one of the unmanned huts on the trail.

The highest mountain in Tokyo. The standard 20km course is overnight and the trail is long, but if you're fast a day hike is possible.

When to climb April - December

Stunning scenery if you like volcanoes. Courses vary from 1.5h to 6.5h depending on if you use the ropeway.

No public transport access, but quite a short hike so doable if you have a car. The summit is a huge field of rocks.

The bus timings are a bit dicey, so it might be better as an overnight hike if you want to take your time. But I found it to be quite doable as a daytrip with public transport. Since it's low-elevation you can climb it earlier than other hyakumeizans.

Is one of the rare few hyakumeizans near the ocean, although its views aren't too great due to the tree cover. With its low elevation, can be climbed in the off-season.

Although the course distance is short, it is deceptively hard as there are some steep climbs. Can be combined with the nearby Mt Kinpu as an overnight camping trip.

Fukushima 1/3. Accessible as an expensive day hike from Tokyo thanks to the Shinkansen. Recommending pairing with another Fukushima mountain. Very popular in the autumn season.

Short course, easily accessible from Tokyo, and great views of Mt Fuji if you are lucky.

When to climb Mid-April - December

The course is long at 18km, but well-maintained with lots of stairs and rest huts, and easy access from Tokyo. Can split it up into an overnight hike with a stay at one of the huts.

When to climb April - May, October - December

Day trip accessible via Shinkansen to Ueda station and then a local bus. Course can be as short as 3.5h by car, but with public transport expect it to take 7 - 8 hours. The best part of this hike is seeing the neighbouring peak of Mt Neko.

The lowest elevation mountain in the hyakumeizan, and a good beginner-friendly intro. Standard course is 4h.

Kita Alps. Can be combined as part of a 3 (or 4) day hike with Mt Washiba.

As a day hike, was quite a straightforward and easy trail. Can be combined with the nearby Mt Mizugaki as an overnight camping trip.

Nikko 1/2. Can pair with the nearby Mt Nantai for a weekend trip (good public transport between both).

Nikko 2/2. Can pair with the nearby Mt Nikko-Shirane for a weekend trip.

You can drive to right near the summit, so the drive is much longer than the hike itself. Recommend pairing with another mountain like Mt Kirigamine to make the most of your trip.

Oze National Park 2/3. Can be climbed together with Mt Shibutsu as an overnight hike.

The easiest mountain to access from Kamikochi, the gateway to the North Alps. Can use overnight bus if coming via public transport.

Slightly too far away from Tokyo so requires an overnight stay the night before, but doable as a day hike.

Unfortunately well-known as the most boring of the hyakumeizan with no scenery. It's 4 hour drive from Tokyo which makes it just a little bit out of reach of a day trip. Overnight buses also available.

Fukushima 2/3. Good public transport access, but just a little bit too far from Tokyo for a day trip. Recommend pairing with Mt Adatara for a weekend trip.

Fukushima 3/3. Do not get it confused with Mt Azuma-kofuji, which is a separate mountain. Worth pairing with Mt Bandai or Mt Adatara.

Kyushu 4/6. The only mountain in Kyushu I am yet to climb.

Aomori 1/2. Can climb together with Mt Iwaki as a 3-day weekend trip.

Aoromi 2/2. Can climb together with Mt Iwaki as a 3-day weekend trip.

Hokkaido 5/9. The northernmost hyakumeizan in Japan, and also on its own little island. You'll need to spend a night on the island, but otherwise can be done as a day hike.

Hokkaido 6/9

Hokkaido 7/9. It looks pretty similar to Mt Fuji.

Hokkaido 8/9. With a 17km trail, probably requires a stay at the summit.

Hokkaido 9/9. I've heard it to be one of the more difficult Hokkaido hikes. There can be a river crossing depending on the weather.