Six mountains under 1,000 meters to climb
Mount Takao 599 meters high.
DR
Marvelous hikes in the Japanese mountains
For budding mountaineers who don't yet have the stuff to tackle Mount Fuji, here is a list of accessible mountains with breathtaking views.
The majority of tourists (and even Japanese!) dream of climbing Mount Fuji at least once in their life. But for the less adventurous, or for those who have already taken up the challenge, Japan is full of mountains that are very pleasant to climb and offer magnificent landscapes . Discover six mountains less than 1,000 meters high , in six different prefectures , to make the most of Japan's relief .
View of Miyajima Bay from Mount Misen
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Mount Misen in Hiroshima (535 meters)
It is south of the city of Hiroshima , on the island of Miyajima , that this mountain is ideal for beginners in mountaineering. You can reach the top by three different paths : Daisho-in, Momijidani and Omoto. It is by taking the first of these routes that you will have the best views. In any case, it will take you about two hours , which will leave you enough time to enjoy the other activities in the area. The virgin forest that is on the mountain offers a great diversity of trees, plants and even stones. Once the ascent is complete, you will have a 360° panorama that is worth the detour!
See: Climbing Mount Misen
Mount Takao in Tokyo (599 meters)
Perfect expedition if you don't have the opportunity or the time to travel outside the capital but want to get away from the buildings for a day. Less than an hour from central Tokyo by train , climbing Mount Takao is a popular activity with locals and tourists alike , so avoid weekends and holidays if you can. You will see many Japanese people come for walks and test the different hiking trails according to their motivation or physical condition. Route n°1 is the least difficult and a funicular and a chairlift are also available to reach the summit without getting too tired!
See: Mount Takao
Tokyo from Mount Takao
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Mount Takao, near Tokyo.
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Mount Maya in Hyogo (699 meters)
It is a short walk from Shin-Kobe Station , about 30 minutes from central Kobe , that your ascent begins. Night or day , the view you will have from the top of Mount Maya is one of the most impressive in Japan, since it offers an incredible panorama over the bay of Osaka-Kobe . Plan on three to five hours of hiking up the mountain, depending on which trail you take. If you have exhausted all your strength during the climb, do not hesitate to take the funicular and the cable car of the Maya Viewline line to go down. On the way, you will come across, among other things, the sumptuous Nunobiki waterfalls ranked in the top 3 of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country.
See: Nunobiki
View of Kobe by night from the top of Mount Maya
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Nunobiki Waterfall.
Wikipedia
View of the cable car to get to the top of Mount Maya
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Mount Homan in Fukuoka (829 meters)
It is on the island of Kyushu , near the city of Dazaifu, that Mount Homan is located. It will take courage in both hands to climb the hundreds of stone steps from the main trail to the summit. Fortunately you will come across benches to rest. Half a day in the mountain should be enough to appreciate the panoramic view of the hills and the valley of Dazaifu. There is also a very atypical Shinto shrine at the top . You can then visit the many temples of the city where the power of Kyushu was concentrated before being transferred to Fukuoka . Prefer the end of winter to go around, it's the period of plum blossoms and those of Dazaifu are magnificent!
See: Dazaifu Tenman-Gu
Mount Homan in Fukuoka
Wikipedia
Kamado Shrine, atop Mount Homan
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At Mount Homan
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Mount Hiei in Kyoto (848 meters)
Mount Hiei is home to one of the most powerful Buddhist temples in Japan, Enryakuji Temple , a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the 16th century, more than 3,000 temples were on its sides, but Lord Nobunaga (1534-1582) set fire to the mountain, in order to destroy its temples and massacre its population. There are now only three sites left that you can cross during your ascent. To reach the top, you can leave from Kyoto or Shiga , on either side of the mountain, in order to take the cable car and arrive at the top in less than 15 minutes. But if you go there for sports, you will have to walk about three hours in the dense forest .
See: Mount Hiei
The path to climb Mount Hiei
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Enryakuji temple on Mount Hiei
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View of Mount Hiei
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Mount Kaimon in Kagoshima (924 meters)
The last challenge in our ranking, just below 1,000 meters, is in the far south of the archipelago in Kagoshima Prefecture. Sleeping volcano, this is Kyushu's Mount Fuji. For the ascent, you will need to climb a path strewn with stones and roots , and have real hiking equipment to reach the top. Ladders, ropes and panels are installed to help you in your adventure. But the reward is there, with a breathtaking view of the sea. On a clear day, you can even see the island of Yakushima , more than 60 kilometers from the Japanese coast.
See: Ibusuki
Mount Kaimon by the sea
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