Customer Reviews

Hiking in Japan: An Adventurer's Guide to the Mountain Trails

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Being in the military and stationed in Japan can be troublesome to say the least. Especially when it comes to getting around outside of the local area and doing things that you love to do like hiking, backpacking, and camping. Paul's book really packs a lot into a small book that you can stick in your pack without taking up much room. I was estatic to find someone who talked about Northern Japan, where I am stationed. The "back country" of Japan is often overlooked especially the Northern region. Paul really enlighten's readers about what to do and what not to do while in this beautiful, yet geologically unstable country. There is nothing like going to a Japanese Onsen, hot bath, after a long day of hiking to soothe the body and Paul has illustrated the location of many of these fountains of youth. Maybe Paul can muster up the time and energy to write a new edition of this must have for Japanese travelers. I will recommend this book to all my hiking buddies, Japanese and American!

Paul Hunt has given everyone interested in hiking within Japan an excellent source for information! His selection of walks within the book is from basic to advanced, all producing fantastic scenery and something of the essence of living/hiking in Japan. There is a walk for everyone within this very handy and well-researched book. Even though it may seem out of date (being 10 years old now), it is not. The information is still extremely accurate. I have used his book for my own hiking and for a hiking club I started in Japan - the TSUKUBA WALKING AND MOUNTAINEERING CLUB. If you are coming or in Japan already, and are interested in hiking, then I`d recommend for you to buy this book.

Mr. Hunt created an invaluable, highly accurate book twelve years ago. I have used it for five.

The author provides you with trails for the occasional day-tripper to very long, difficult treks for the more experienced backpackers. Not only does he tell you how to access each region covered, but also provides numbers for local lodging and tourist information offices.

This book is an absolute must for any foreign hiker in Japan and while I've found myself (after a particularly brutal 16 mile hike) saying, "This is only a +++ difficulty rating? " I quickly apologized for blasphemizing this "bible".

I thought this book could be more comprehensive. It certainly covers a lot but focuses mostly on the major trails that are often crowded during the 'official climbing season'. The new Lonely Planet Hiking in Japan is a far better bang for your buck.

No pictures, and the maps are very basic. Was hoping for a little more comparison of the hikes...you really won't know what you're hiking until you're out there.

I've been living in Japan for many years and have done all or part of most of the hikes in this book. The introductory material is interesting and useful, and the text is consistently candid and well-written. The photocopied pages that I carry with me on the trips continue to be excellent company. Of course, it's also necessary to have detailed topographic maps such as those published by Shobunsha (recommended in this book). It's always wise to check the web for recent advice on practicalities, but the vast majority of information provided by Hunt is still very helpful, especially when you're on the trail. The hikes are rated in terms of difficulty and scenic value, and the descriptions are detailed enough to help you decide where to go and what to do when you get there. Fears of geological processes rendering this book out-of-date are sorely overstated. Fuji is still a tough slog, and Kamikochi is still spectacular. Wherever you choose to go, this book will make your trip safer, smoother, and more enjoyable.

I first moved to Japan in 1991 and I picked this book up back then, when it was the only English-language option. Despite what the cover says it has NOT been updated since then and at least one of the hikes described was apparently done in 1978 - 29 years ago!!! The book is also notorious for giving the details of a youth hostel near Tokyo that actually closed more than 20 years ago. It also misnames a mountain - called "Ontake-san" in the book - which is actually the name of a different, much more famous and much larger mountain. Basically the kanji (Chinese characters) for the mountain's name can be read in two ways and the author got it wrong. However the introductory section and the info on Japan's geology is interesting.

This was a good option in the 1980s but it isn't now and could well be dangerous - Japan's mountains have heavy precipitation, are prone to earthquakes and vulcanism and, in particular, are being badly affected by global warming so it is important to get CURRENT information before heading into the hills. Save your money and get the Lonely Planet guidebook (which is itself far from perfect) and check conditions with on-line sources before you go anywhere.

"Hiking in Japan" was first published in 1988, it was substantially updated in the mid-1990s. The author has been pushing the publisher to keep the book updated on every reprint, usually each year.