13 Dec Backpacking Around Japan: The Ultimate Guide

We have a secret to share with you, something that world’s best-travelled backpackers already know: Japan, with its varying terrain and magnificent beauty, is a backpacker’s paradise. The well-run Japanese railway system is a great way to get to destinations on your itinerary, too.

There are tour and holiday packages that travel companies offer. For example, the Japan tours offered by Japan Journeys can offer guests a “tailor-made” trip, replete with everything geared towards backpacking. This is a great service to use because while there’s so much material online, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and have a hard time deciphering between the many recommendations. Choosing a professional to help you will take you to the areas you want, need and must see, while providing you with any reservations you may need at any destination you plan to stop.

There are detailed and light-hearted blogs such as The Broke Backpacker which unsurprisingly, already visited and prepped Japan for you. You will also read that it is advisable to visit Japan either March to May and/or September to November, with the former being the ideal backpacking time.

`Wheelin’ – the best way for a backpacker to get around the country is on the metro and trains. We recommend you get a Japan Rail Pass which are available in seven, 14 and 21 day passes. There’s also a standard pass and a “Green Pass” (a.k.a. first class). The pass gives the holder limitless access to all JR national rail, the Shinkansen bullet trains and the Narita Express.

Steamin’ – Throughout the country, you can relax your muscles in an Onsen (hot springs).

Eats – In addition to outrageously fresh and delicious sushi (for a surprisingly reasonable to low price), you can have barbeque or ramen noodles, also for a great price (and also delicious).

Just because you are backpacking, doesn’t mean the entire trip has to be focused on Japanese hiking trails (although if you really wanted to, you could do that, too). Great places to visit include:

• Museums
• Nightclubbing
• Sumo (you need to plan ahead for this)
• Japanese gaming arcades

The Japanese are a respectful and extremely honest people. Most people who travel there always feel safe and you will very, very rarely hear of any crime (if any).

If you’d like to take a genuine outdoor adventure, you might try cycling from Osaka to Nara on Japan’s steepest road. Know that this is an extremely gruelling ride – but a rewarding one if you’re willing to tackle it. Backpackingman.com tackled it and his story and adventure is pretty hilarious (although we doubt he was feeling it was whilst he was cycling).

You should know:

• Climate varies greatly throughout the country, from north to south. Be sure you research this as you plan your trip.
• Japan is amazingly clean. You can drink from the tap anywhere, food is cooked hygienically and there’s healthcare at your disposal.
• Visitors from the UK are given a Visa upon Arrival (good for 90 days, extendable to double)

Here are some amazing events you should look into (and see if you can schedule your itinerary around one or more):

• Shougatsu
• Okayama Naked Man Festival
• Hina Matsuri
• Sapporo Snow Festival
• Yamagata Hanagasa Matsuri
• Golden Week
• Hanami
• Hakata Dontaku Festival

The respected site The Lonely Planet deems hiking in Japan as “one of the world’s best-kept secrets” and reviews the top five locations in Japan to hike. The Lonely Planet even has a book on the very topic. They note that it’s not only the tourists who flock to the popular hiking locations, the locals, they say “are very keen hikers.”

Rough Guides is another oft-visited website which is dedicated to those who love to hike and backpack. While singing the praises of its natural diversity, and calling it “well set-up for hikers,” Rough Guides presents the seven best locations to hike in Japan.