With mountains and forests dominating more than two-thirds of the country, nature has always held a special place in the hearts and the minds of the Japanese. Since ancient times people here have been traveling extensively through the mountains on foot for reasons ranging from commerce to religion, while influences from Europe and an improved economy after the second World War saw people begin to flock to the outdoors in droves for a new reason: recreation. Hiking and trekking became the default hobby for young and old alike, and this boom laid the foundation for even more trails, better maintenance, improved access and the fantastic infrastructure we have today (think: mountain huts). 

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Strangely however, running through the mountains is a relatively new thing for the average person, but one that is quickly becoming the new boom. The number of trail running races and participants is growing exponentially year over year, and it makes sense: Japan has it all when it comes to trail running. Pick your poison from extremely technical trails on exposed ridges at altitude with startling amounts of elevation gain, to remote and gentle forest trails past waterfalls and wildlife. We take the guesswork out of when to go, how to get there, where to stay and more, so that you can focus on the trail ahead and the scenic highlights along the way. Join us on a short one or half-day route to get a training run in while on vacation, or plan your Japan trip around one of the exclusive, extended multi-day fastpacking experiences that we recommend. 

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Keep reading to see what trail running and fastpacking routes we suggest, and come back often to hear about new additions, as we will be adding a slate of new destinations to our site in the coming months. Finally, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask; we are here to help you got the most out of your trip to Japan (and we know that successful trips start long before the day of departure.)