September 22–30, 2026
October 2–10, 2026
September 11-19, 2027
September 22-30, 2027
Over nine unforgettable days, experience the progression from urban trails to remote mountain paths where ancient routes meet alpine wilderness.
We start with Tokyo’s network of park runs and temple paths before heading for higher ground in the Northern Alps.
Each day brings new terrain: forested mountain trails, alpine meadows, ridgeline tracks with views stretching to Mount Fuji, and ancient paths connecting mountain villages. Our routes mix famous trails with hidden gems, including sections of Japan’s most celebrated ultra-running courses.
But it’s not just about the running – you’ll soak in outdoor hot springs, learn the proper etiquette for traditional bathhouses, taste local sake, and perhaps spot snow monkeys watching from the forest edge.
By journey’s end, you’ll have experienced a side of Japan that most visitors never see, where ancient traditions and modern adventure meet on the trail.
Travelers arrive at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (30 minutes from downtown) or Narita Airport (1 hour from downtown). Runners are encouraged to arrive by 1:00 PM Tokyo time. Transfer via limousine bus to T-CAT, then an 11-minute walk through quiet residential streets to our Tokyo hotel: Hamacho Hotel Tokyo in the peaceful Nihonbashi Hamacho district.
At 5:00 PM, join Tokyo’s after-work running ritual around the Imperial Palace – a 5km loop where salarymen in business attire share the gravel paths with serious marathoners, all circling the ancient moats and stone walls of Japan’s imperial heart.
Return to the hotel for a quiet dinner as your body begins adjusting to being in a very new time zone.
Wake to the gentle bustle of Tokyo morning life filtering through your windows. After breakfast, lace up for a 9.1-mile journey along the Sumida River that will take us beneath the towering Tokyo Skytree, across bridges that span centuries of architectural evolution, and nearby fiery autumn maples.
Lunch takes you underground to Gado-shita, a hidden world of izakaya and yakitori stalls tucked beneath Tokyo Station’s bustling concourses.
The afternoon is yours to explore: perhaps the neon-lit streets of Shibuya, the ancient temples of Asakusa, or the quiet gardens where the city’s pace finally slows.
Evening brings an intimate izakaya dinner, where wooden counters, warm sake, and the gentle clatter of ceramic plates make for a moment you won’t soon forget.
Board the legendary Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo Station to Nagano – 1 hour and 15 minutes of watching Japan blur past at 200 mph while Mount Fuji plays peek-a-boo through the windows.
A 30-minute drive through increasingly rural landscapes leads to your first real trail run: 8.5 miles around Togakushi Shrine. Three miles in, pause for the approach to the Upper Shrine – a dramatic corridor of towering cedars that have stood sentinel for centuries, their massive trunks creating a natural cathedral.
The run ends at Sobanomi restaurant for a restorative soba lunch. Check into Skala Lodge in Hakuba, a family-run haven where the walls still hold stories from the 1998 Winter Olympics and the morning air carries the promise of alpine adventures ahead.
End the day at Hie Izakaya with grilled yakitori, local mountain sake, and excitement about tomorrow’s climb.
We answer the mountains’ call today. After a fortifying breakfast at Skala Lodge, head to Happo-One Snow Resort where three consecutive ski gondolas lift you above the tree line and into alpine territory.
The ascent of Mount Karamatsu awaits – 6.3 miles that gain over 3,000 feet as you climb toward the 9,000-foot summit, rising above the unkai (the sea of clouds that pools in the valleys below).
For those preferring gentler terrain, the option to explore around Happo One pond offers mountain views without the lung-burning climb. Either way, a traditional bento box lunch tastes extraordinary when eaten with alpine vistas as your backdrop.
The afternoon is yours to either collapse gracefully into a local onsen (where mineral-rich hot spring water soothes trail-weary muscles while you gaze up at the peaks you just conquered) or wander Hakuba’s mountain town streets.
Dinner at And Mountain offers panoramic Northern Alps views through floor-to-ceiling windows while you dip thin slices of beef into bubbling shabu shabu broth.
Your final breakfast at Skala Lodge comes with a gentle shakeout run through Hakuba’s quiet streets before departing for the Central Alps.
The journey includes a cultural treasure: Shichiken, a historic sake brewery founded in 1750 at the foothills of Mount Kaikomagatake. Here, 13 generations of the same family have perfected their craft using local rice and underground spring water.
Check into Osotono Terrace (“outside” in Japanese). Here, tiny-house cabins built from domestic cedar offer private terraces with sweeping views across the Kōfu Basin toward Mount Fuji’s distant silhouette. As evening light fades behind the mountains, we’ll enjoy a barbecue dinner served on the hotel’s main terrace under the stars.
Drive 45 minutes deeper into the Central Alps for a 5.8-mile run through Kushigata’s diverse ecosystem – 1,500 feet of climbing and descending past views of Mt. Karamatsu (Japan’s second highest peak) while local mosses, alpine flowers, and mountain fauna create a living textbook of high-altitude ecology.
Return to shower off the trail dust before lunch at Tsukihareru. This 100-year-old traditional folk house has been transformed into a vegan-friendly cafe with Mount Fuji framed perfectly in the windows. Meet Domaine Hide, who left Tokyo’s corporate world during the pandemic to create wine and rice flour steamed breads in this mountain sanctuary.
The afternoon brings a hands-on experience at a local vineyard – pick muscat grapes while learning about high-altitude winemaking before transitioning to Toyo Sushi for dinner. This restaurant, run by a husband and wife team, represents everything authentic about Japanese hospitality: impeccable attention to detail, ingredients sourced that morning, and the quiet pride of masters practicing their craft.
Depart Osotono Terrace for the 1.5-hour journey to Mount Fuji’s domain. We’ll arrive to enjoy an 8.2-mile flat road run around Lake Yamanaka delivers the clearest possible views of Japan’s sacred mountain.
Lunch at Sanruoken transports you back in time – this robatayaki BBQ restaurant beside Lake Kawaguchiko occupies a relocated 150-year-old Hida farmhouse. On the menu: fresh iwana trout, plump scallops, seasonal vegetables, and premium meats over glowing charcoal around a sunken irori hearth that has warmed mountain families for generations.
Check into lakeside accommodations before dinner at High Spirit, where we’ll have an intimate 15-seat izakaya to ourselves.
The week’s most challenging run awaits: 8.2 miles following part of the legendary Mt Fuji 100 course, with over 3,000 feet of elevation gain and loss through technical mountain terrain that has humbled ultramarathoners from around the world.
For those preferring a gentler final day, alternatives include a walk around Lake Kawaguchi’s shoreline paths or browsing the Mt Fuji store for the perfect memento of your mountain adventures.
The final celebration dinner at Nagomi Yamanakako brings our group together one last time around bubbling shabu shabu pots. Thin slices of premium beef and fresh vegetables cook in rich broth while stories fill the room – the perfect farewell to nine days of Japanese mountain magic.
Optional morning activities allow for final glimpses of Mount Fuji or quiet reflection by the lake before departure arrangements. Some may choose one last run along familiar paths, while others prefer to enjoy a final Japanese breakfast while watching the mountain emerge from morning mist.
Either way, departure comes with the knowledge that Japan has worked its quiet power – leaving you planning your return before you’ve even left.
We are putting the finishing touches on our inaugural Run Japan trips. To be the first to hear about dates and details, join our priority list below.
The Japanese Alps and Mount Fuji region offer one of Asia’s most spectacular running experiences. This Japan running tour takes you through stunning landscapes where ancient pilgrim paths meet modern trail systems amid breathtaking mountain scenery.
Japan, renowned for its perfect blend of tradition and innovation, combines the allure of iconic landscapes with legendary hospitality and cuisine that will make you fall in love with the region. From serene temple trails to challenging alpine routes, this adventure showcases Japan’s natural beauty and cultural depth.
The run tour price includes pre-trip communication & guidance, airport transfers to and from Tokyo, 8 nights accommodation, all meals from dinner on the first day to breakfast on the final day, transportation, drivers, experienced running guides, local logistics team, organized supported runs, onsen hot spring experiences, cable car tickets, drinking water, and Rogue Expeditions swag.
The cost does not include flights to/from Tokyo, alcohol, tips, personal purchases, or transport to/from unscheduled destinations.
This Japan run tour is designed for experienced runners with a good fitness level. The longest runs could be up to 15 miles with significant elevation gain, and some days may involve challenging mountain trails with up to 2,000 ft of elevation change, though these will not be a daily occurrence.
Multiple distance options are always available for our run days, but some routes follow point-to-point trails that require adequate fitness to complete the full route (or skip and transfer by van to the next accommodation).
Expect diverse and sometimes technical terrain throughout your Japan running tour. You’ll encounter mountain trails, forest paths, pilgrim routes, ridgeline tracks, and some road running. The routes include single-track trails, dirt paths, and possibly some paved sections. Be prepared for technical terrain, especially in the Northern Alps region, and some sections with rocky footing that may require careful navigation.
The Japanese Alps deliver serious mountain running with significant elevation gains – Mount Karamatsu involves over 3,000 feet of climbing to nearly 9,000 feet elevation, and our Mount Fuji course section includes another 3,000+ feet of gain and loss. However, we always provide alternative shorter routes and flexible pacing
The running becomes a gateway to cultural experiences that typical tourists never access. You’ll experience authentic Japanese mountain culture through family-run mountain lodges, visits to 13-generation sake breweries, ryokan inn stays, and meals at hidden local restaurants.
Accommodations vary throughout your Japan running adventure, including Western-style hotels, traditional ryokan inns, and mountain lodges. Examples include comfortable hotels in Tokyo, authentic ryokans in the Mount Fuji region, and mountain lodges in the Northern Alps. Expect a mix of Western beds and traditional Japanese-style rooms with tatami mats. All accommodations feature the signature Japanese attention to detail and cleanliness.
Solo rooms will be not be available for this trip.
Weather can vary significantly given the diverse terrain and elevation changes. Generally, expect mild to warm days and cooler nights in spring and fall. Mountain weather can be unpredictable, so be prepared for sudden changes and potential rain during your Japan running tour. The Northern Alps region can experience cooler temperatures, especially in early mornings and evenings.
You’ll enjoy a variety of traditional dishes, from sophisticated Tokyo restaurants to hearty mountain lodge meals. Enjoy fresh seafood, seasonal vegetables, handmade soba noodles, and regional specialties. Experience multi-course dinners, warming mountain hut fare, and perhaps the famous Hida beef of the alpine regions. Most special diets can be accommodated, but please check with us in advance about any specific dietary requirements.
We’ve done our best to create a cancellation policy that balances flexibility with our advance costs. For detailed information on cancellations, transfers, and refunds, please review our full Booking Terms & Conditions. We strongly recommend obtaining travel insurance to cover potential cancellations.
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