Open Travel Guide
Hiking in Yamanashi

Yamanashi Hiking & Trekking Guide 2026

Where to walk in Yamanashi — from easy half-days to serious treks, with honest difficulty grades.

By Updated Reviewed by Daniel Mercer

Yamanashi has 9+ hiking trails covered in this guide, led by Yoshida Trail to the Summit of Mount Fuji, Okaniwa Nature Loop, Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station and Nishizawa Gorge Loop Trail. Each entry below includes the practical details — what it costs, when to go, and how to plan around it.

Yamanashi Prefecture is a landlocked prefecture in the Chubu region of central Honshu, cradled in the Kofu Basin and ringed by mountains, most famously the northern slopes of Mount Fuji and the Fuji Five Lakes. Home to the Yoshida Trail, the most-used of Mount Fuji's four climbing routes, and to Japan's oldest and largest wine region around Katsunuma, Yamanashi pairs alpine and lakeside scenery with a proud viticulture and fruit-growing tradition, plus the jewelry and crystal-carving craftsmanship of its capital, Kofu City.

Top trails

Routes worth lacing up your boots for.

  1. 1

    Yoshida Trail to the Summit of Mount Fuji

    Approx. 14 km round trip (5th Station to summit and back)8–12 hours round trip, typically split across two days with an overnight mountain hut stayhard3,776 m summit; approx. 1,471 m gain from the 5th Station (2,305 m)

  2. 2

    Okaniwa Nature Loop, Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station

    Approx. 1.2 km loop30–45 minuteseasy2,305 m plateau, minimal gain

  3. 3

    Nishizawa Gorge Loop Trail

    Approx. 10 km loop3.5–4.5 hoursmoderateApprox. 350 m gain and loss around the gorge loop

  4. 4

    Shosenkyo Gorge Trail

    Approx. 4 km one way (Nagatoro entrance to the Kakuenbo overlook and ropeway summit station)1.5–2 hours one way on foot; the Shosenkyo Ropeway cuts the return trip to about 5 minuteseasyGorge floor around 650 m rising to 1,058 m at the ropeway summit station on Mount Panorama-dai

  5. 5

    Mount Kinpu via Zenzatoge

    Approx. 10 km round trip from the Zenzatoge trailhead6–7 hours round triphard2,599 m summit; approx. 750 m gain from Zenzatoge (approx. 1,850 m)

  6. 6

    Mount Mitsutoge

    Approx. 6 km round trip3.5–4.5 hours round tripmoderate1,785 m summit; approx. 800 m gain from the trailhead

  7. 7

    Aokigahara Nature Trail, Icespring Loop

    Approx. 1.2–1.9 km marked loop, depending on the entrance used30–60 minuteseasyApprox. 900–950 m, minimal gain

  8. 8

    Panoramadai Ridge Trail, Lake Motosuko

    Approx. 2.5 km round trip1.5–2 hours round tripmoderateApprox. 1,328 m summit (Panoramadai); approx. 300 m gain from the lakeside trailhead

  9. 9

    Mizugaki-yama Granite Dome Trail

    Approx. 8 km round trip5–6 hours round triphard2,230 m summit; approx. 700 m gain from the trailhead

Trail difficulty levels

Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.

Easy

Mostly flat, well-marked paths. Suitable for families and casual walkers.

Moderate

Some elevation gain, longer distances. Requires basic fitness.

Hard

Significant climbs and exposure. Requires good fitness and route-finding.

Expert

Technical terrain, scrambling, or alpine conditions. Experience essential.

Local hazards

What to watch out for on the trail.

High

Sudden weather changes — always carry rain gear and warm layers.

Medium

Wildlife encounters — make noise on the trail and store food properly.

Medium

Trail conditions can deteriorate after rain — check recent reports before setting out.

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