Run Japan: Trail Running Through Ancient Paths & Alpine Peaks
Discover Japan's legendary trails on foot, from serene mountain temples to soaring alpine peaks.
This 9-day Japan running adventure combines technical mountain trails, authentic cultural experiences, and unforgettable moments in one of the world's most captivating destinations.
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Run JAPAN: Trip Highlights
If you've dreamed of running in Japan, join us in the Northern Alps where ancient pilgrim paths lead to breathtaking mountain views.
Tokyo to the Alps - Begin with urban runs through Tokyo's famous green spaces like Yoyogi Park and the Imperial Palace gardens before ascending into the Japanese Alps, where traditional mountain lodges become our homes for the next chapter of adventure.
Alpine Paradise - Challenge yourself on the technical trails and ridgelines of the Northern Alps, where peak after craggy peak stretches to the horizon and where crystal-clear mountain lakes mirror the sky.
Chasing Mount Fuji - While it's possible to run to Mount Fuji's summit (a challenging 3,000m vertical climb), we've selected the region's most scenic trails that offer perfect views of Japan's iconic peak while delivering superior running experiences. Run the shores of Lake Kawaguchi at sunrise to catch Fuji's reflection, or climb Mount Ishiwari for panoramic views of the sacred mountain.
Mountain Culture - Discover the quiet charm of Japanese mountain towns, each with its own specialty - from soba noodle masters to generations-old sake breweries. Some villages see more snow than visitors, keeping their traditions delightfully intact.
Trail Running Heritage - These mountains have shaped some of the world's most legendary mountain runners and ultra athletes. Our routes take us on sections of famous races like the Ultra-Trail Mount Fuji and Japan's original mountain marathon courses.
Natural Hot Springs - The Japanese Alps are dotted with natural onsen (hot springs), from simple mountain baths to luxurious thermal pools. After challenging runs, these mineral-rich waters become our daily ritual.
Culinary Journey - From Tokyo's sophisticated dining scene to family-run mountain huts serving hearty alpine cuisine, each region adds its own chapter to our culinary adventure. Look forward to handmade soba, fresh-caught mountain trout, and seasonal specialties.
Authentic Accommodation - Split your nights between Western-style hotels, traditional ryokan inns, and mountain lodges. Some nights you'll sleep on tatami mats, others in comfortable Western beds, but always with that distinctive Japanese attention to detail.
A Few JAPAN PHOTOS We’re (MORE THAN A LITTLE) obSESsed with
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RUn JAPAN - ITINERARY
Over ten days, you'll experience the progression from urban trails to remote mountain paths. 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.
*Trip details and itinerary are subject to change. Final routes and accommodations will be confirmed closer to departure dates.
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Trail Running in Japan: A Deeper Look at WHERE We’ll RUN
Here are some of the key regions that make running in Japan so special – from the soaring peaks of the Northern Alps to the cultural treasures of the Kamakura coast.
Mount Fuji & The Five Lakes: Running in the Shadow of an Icon
Japan's most famous peak has long captivated runners and mountaineers alike. While it's technically possible to run to Mount Fuji's summit – a challenging 3,000 vertical meters over 21 kilometres – the most rewarding running experiences often come from the network of trails that surround this sacred mountain. Here, you can enjoy perfect views of Fuji's distinctive silhouette while running through some of Japan's most scenic terrain.
The Fuji Five Lakes region, with Lake Kawaguchi at its heart, offers an extensive network of trails that combine authentic mountain running with postcard-perfect Fuji views. From ridgeline routes to lakeside paths, each trail provides a different perspective of Japan's most iconic peak.
Notable Trails & Routes:
The Ohachimeguri Trail network offers perfectly graded paths around Lake Kawaguchi, where Mount Fuji's reflection creates a mirror image on calm mornings
Mount Ishiwari delivers a rewarding mountain experience with panoramic Fuji views from its summit, featuring 500-700 meters of elevation gain over runnable terrain
The Lake Yamanaka trails provide a mix of forest paths and open ridges, serving up some of the region's most dramatic Fuji viewpoints
This region balances challenge with accessibility, offering routes for every ability level while maintaining that crucial element that draws runners from around the world: those perfect Mount Fuji views.
Nagano & The Northern Japan Alps: Winter's Epic Skiing Leads to Legendary Summer Running
When the snow melts from Nagano's legendary ski slopes, Japan's most dramatic mountain playground transforms into a trail runner's dream.
The Northern Japan Alps, anchored by the historic mountain town of Hakuba, have long been renowned for hosting the 1998 Winter Olympics and drawing powder-seekers from around the globe. But it's what happens after the thaw that makes this region truly magical.
As spring warmth creeps up the mountainsides, a network of trails emerges – from pilgrim paths to technical ridge routes that trace the spine of Japan's most dramatic alpine range.
The Northern Alps deliver a perfect mix of accessibility and true mountain wilderness, where crystalline streams tumble past mountain huts and rocky summits pierce through clouds.
Notable Trails & Routes
The iconic Hakuba Ridge Trail offers 15-25km of perfectly graded mountain running, mixing forests and open ridgelines with panoramic views stretching to the horizon
Mount Shirouma-dake presents one of Japan's most distinctive mountain experiences, where summer runners cross the remarkable Daisekkei Snow Valley en route to soaring alpine views
The Togakushi-jinja trail network combines technical mountain running with cultural significance, linking ancient mountain shrines through pristine forests
The running here ranges from moderately challenging valley routes to serious alpine adventures. What sets it apart is the infrastructure – traditional mountain lodges (many with natural hot springs) dot the range, offering Japanese hospitality in the most unlikely of places.
Running The Kamakura Alps: TEMPLE PATHS & COASTAL HILLS
The Kamakura Alps offer some of the most culturally rich trail running in Japan. Just 90 minutes from Tokyo's buzz, these coastal hills have been home to important temples and shrines for nearly a millennium, all connected by an intricate network of ridgeline trails that once served as natural fortifications for Japan's first shogunate.
What makes running here special isn't the challenge of the terrain but rather the constant interplay between nature and culture – you might round a corner to find a hidden shrine, pause at a centuries-old temple, or catch glimpses of the Pacific Ocean through bamboo forests.
Notable Trails & Routes:
The Daibutsu Trail connects the iconic Great Buddha statue to the bamboo groves and temples of western Kamakura, offering a perfect blend of cultural sites and natural beauty
The Ten'en Hiking Course provides the signature Kamakura running experience, linking ancient temples along ridgelines with constant views over the Pacific Ocean
The Zuisenji network leads runners through quiet valleys and past hidden temples, where carefully tended gardens transition seamlessly into wild forest
These trails offer an ideal introduction to trail running in Japan. The routes are surprisingly quiet despite their proximity to Tokyo, and the relaxed pace of Kamakura provides a perfect contrast to the capital's energy.