[Nationwide ]10 recommended hiking trails to visit in spring, even if you have no mountaineering experience!

Located on the border between Yamagata and Miyagi prefectures, Zao is popular in winter for its ice and skiing, but in spring, visitors can enjoy hiking around the summit area. Trekking courses are available from the ropeway station at the top of the mountain, ranging from a short 30-minute hike to a 4-hour trek, allowing both inexperienced and intermediate climbers to enjoy Zao's natural beauty.
If you take the ropeway, you can ascend to a height of 1,661 meters in less than 20 minutes. Just strolling around the station, you will be healed by the lush greenery of the Zao mountains. After the stroll, you can enjoy a relaxing coffee break at the restaurant attached to the ropeway station.

Location: 229-3, Zao Onsen, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture
Fee: Adults (junior high school students and older) 3,500 yen / Children 1,800 yen
Opening hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Official website: https://zaoropeway.co.jp/winter/index.php

"Shirakoma Pond "in Nagano Prefecture is a quiet pond nestled in the Northern Yatsugatake Mountain Range. Located at an altitude of about 2,100 meters above sea level, this mysterious pond suddenly appears after passing through a deep primeval forest. You can drive to the pond and walk 15 minutes from the parking lot to "Shirakoma Pond ".
The 15-minute walk to "Shirakoma Pond "will take you through a moss forest. Just after it rains, you will be greeted by fresh moss that is full of life. There are many mountain huts scattered in the forest and near "Shirakoma Pond ", among which we recommend "Mugiso Hutte ". You can enjoy the forests of the Kita-Yatsugatake Mountains while being in a great location accessible by car. Spending café time in a mountain lodge where tranquility and warmth coexist in the quiet forest is exceptional.

Location: 2090-2, Oaza Chiyori, Koumi-machi, Minamisaku-gun, Nagano, Japan
Parking fee: 600 yen
Sales period：Late April to early November
Official website: https://yachiho-kogen.jp/article/shirakomanoike/

Popular as a mountain resort, "Kamikochi "is a place where even inexperienced climbers can enjoy nature at their leisure. When you arrive at the bus terminal and get off the bus, you will feel the cool, clear air. The paths along the Azusa River are well-maintained, and you can easily go hiking.
We recommend a 3-hour course that takes you across "Kappa Bridge ", which is synonymous with "Kamikochi ", and around "Taisho Pond ". Walking through the picturesque scenery created by the clear stream of Azusa River and the majestic mountains of the Northern Alps, you will arrive at "Taisho Pond "where you will be surrounded by silence. On a windless day, the mirror-like surface of the lake reflects the mountains surrounding "Taisho Pond ". Just sitting by the pond is sure to soothe you. This is a hiking course where you can feel the great nature surrounded by the mountains of Shinshu.

Parking lot location: 4159-14 Ajimu, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture
Parking fee: 700 yen
Shuttle bus fare: Adults 2,400 yen / Children 1,200 yen
Operating period: April 7 - November 15
Official website: https://www.kamikochi.or.jp/

Easily accessible from within Tokyo's 23 wards, the popular "Mt. Takao "is an easy challenge even for inexperienced climbers. You can walk from the station to the summit, but you can shorten your walking time and reach the summit by using the cable car. It takes about 70 minutes round trip from the cable car station, and you can enjoy Mt.
Along the way, "Saruen "and "Yakuoin "are also available for hiking while having fun. From the top of the mountain, you can see the city of Tokyo and Mt.
Takao Station "at the end of the cable car "has a variety of gourmet foods that can only be found here. When you descend from the summit of the mountain, enjoy the gourmet foods of Mt. Close to town ", Mt. Takao "is a mountain where you can enjoy nature in many ways.

Location: 2205 Takao-cho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo
Fee: Adults 950 yen / Children 470 yen
Hours: 8:00 - 18:30 (varies according to the season)
Official website: https://www.takaotozan.co.jp/

People have long been familiar with Mt. "Ikoma "in Osaka. It is easily accessible from Osaka City, and with "Ikoma-jojo Amusement Park "at the top of the mountain, it is a fun spot for families. You can enjoy hiking on foot from the nearest station, or take the cable car up and enjoy a picnic at the summit.
From the top of the mountain, you can see the Osaka Plain, and if the weather is fine, you can even see Osaka Bay and the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. The night view is also beautiful at night. Because the mountain is close to the city, it is well maintained, so even inexperienced climbers can easily enjoy nature.

Location: Higashi-Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Fee: Free of charge
Official website: https://osaka-info.jp/spot/mount-ikoma/

The Rokko mountain range rises right next to Shin-Kobe Station, the gateway to Kobe. A 10-minute walk from the station will take you into the lush green nature of Rokko. A 15-minute walk along a refreshing riverside path from Shin-Kobe Station will take you to "FUNABIKI NO TATAKI ". On days when the water volume is high, you can see the dynamic appearance of the waterfall.
"A short walk up the stairs from Nunobikino Falls "is "Taki no Teahouse "where you can have a light meal while viewing the waterfall. It is surrounded by trees, so it is cool even in summer, and you can spend an elegant time while listening to the sound of the waterfall. It is easily accessible from downtown Sannomiya, so it is recommended to stop by while sightseeing.

Location: Thatchiai-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo
Fee: Free of charge
Official website: https://www.feel-kobe.jp/facilities/0000000093/

Located deep in the mountains of Tokushima Prefecture, "Kenzan "is the highest mountain in Tokushima Prefecture at 1,955 meters above sea level. The elevation may seem like a hurdle, but you can take a lift from the parking lot up to 1,750 meters above sea level. The path from the lift station to the top of the mountain is well maintained and easy to walk, so even inexperienced climbers can safely climb the mountain.
The spacious "Kenzan "has a wooden path to the top of the mountain, where you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the Shikoku Mountains. From spring to early summer, you can enjoy the refreshing mountain scenery covered with greenery. This is a rare spot where you can enjoy an exhilarating hike in the high mountains.

Location：205-25, Higashizutani Sugawara, Miyoshi-shi, Tokushima
Fee: Adults 1,900 yen / Children 900 yen
Hours: 8:00 - 16:30 (varies according to the season)
Official website: https://www.awanavi.jp/spot/21600.html

Rising behind Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima Prefecture, "Yayama "is a popular hiking spot. You can walk up the mountain from Itsukushima Shrine, but if you want to enjoy both sightseeing and hiking on Miyajima, we recommend taking the ropeway. From the ropeway terminus, enjoy hiking while experiencing the history and nature of Miyajima.
Along the hiking trail lined with large, oddly shaped rocks, there is a hall associated with Kobo Daishi. "The summit of Mt. Misen "offers a truly spectacular view of not only the islands in the Seto Inland Sea, but also the mountains of Shikoku and Kyushu in the distance.

Location: Momijidani Park, Miyajima-cho, Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Fee: Adults 2,000 yen / Children 1,000 yen
Hours of operation: 9:00 - 16:30
Official website: http://miyajima-ropeway.info/

Located in Oita Prefecture, "Kuju Mountain Range "is a good hiking course for beginner climbers. Behind the "Kuju Visitor Center ", which also serves as the trailhead, there is a vast marshland that can be explored from the top of a wooden trail. After that, the trail becomes a full-fledged mountain trail, so climbing equipment is required. "After an hour's walk through the forest from Kujyu Visitor Center ", you will see the vast marshland of "Bogatsura ". You will be amazed at the vast grassland, which is hard to believe it is in Japan.
"Have a relaxing meal at Bogatsuru "while enjoying the view of the Kujyu mountains. "A 10-minute walk from Bogatsuru "is "Hokkein Onsen Sanso ", where you can take a hot spring bath. Enjoy the extraordinary feeling of soaking in the sulfur-scented hot spring while being embraced by the mountains.

Location：255-33, Oaza-Tano, Kuzu-cho, Jusu-gun, Oita
Fee: Free of charge
Official website: https://kujufanclub.com

Located in Kagoshima Prefecture, "Kaimondake "is a 924-meter-high mountain in the town of Ibusuki, famous for its hot springs. Because it rises at the southern tip of the Satsuma Peninsula, the view from the summit is spectacular. The round trip takes 5 to 6 hours, but the path is gentle and suitable for everyone from children to the elderly. From the summit, Lake Ikeda spreads out below you, and beyond that you can see Yakushima and other islands in the East China Sea. The Kirishima mountain range can be seen as far away as the land.
"Mt. Kaimondake "is also known as "Mt. Satsuma Fuji "and has a beautiful conical shape. After descending the mountain, it is recommended to soak in Ibusuki's hot spring water and enjoy the view of "Mount Kaimondake ".

Location: Kaimon Ju-cho, Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture
Fee: Free of charge
Official website: https://www.ibusuki.or.jp/tourism/view/kaimondake/

We have introduced hiking courses throughout Japan that you can visit in spring. There are many hiking trails where even inexperienced or novice climbers can easily get in touch with nature. You will feel refreshed as you feel the warm spring sunlight and see pretty flowers and lush trees. Get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and go hiking.