Winter Hiking
Oct 24, 2016, 10:27 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX
Programs: AA PLT / 2MM
Posts: 2,113
Winter Hiking
Hi, is there any good hiking in Japan to be had in the winter (December)? Either day hikes or multi-day hikes. Nothing that requires equipment or is dangerous in the winter or is generally unpleasant (lots of rain and snow). It's hard to tell if some of the popular trails in Kyuushu and Shukoku are going to be too miserable in the winter.
Oct 24, 2016, 10:41 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, AAdvantage, Southwest, HHonors, National
Posts: 528
I did a multi-day hike last December with WalkJapan and highly recommend them. My hike was in the Kunisaki area of Kyushu. From my experience, the winter in Kyushu is a lot milder than places like Nagano. I'd say it felt more like fall in the Northeast US. I did a TR and should give you an idea of what its like in northern Kyushu. As for equipment, the only things they required were a good pair of hiking boots and layered outdoor wear.
Oct 24, 2016, 10:51 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX
Programs: AA PLT / 2MM
Posts: 2,113
I did a multi-day hike last December with WalkJapan and highly recommend them. My hike was in the Kunisaki area of Kyushu. From my experience, the winter in Kyushu is a lot milder than places like Nagano. I'd say it felt more like fall in the Northeast US. I did a TR and should give you an idea of what its like in northern Kyushu. As for equipment, the only things they required were a good pair of hiking boots and layered outdoor wear.
I found your hike on WalkJapan's website, and it's $4k+ for 10 days. I've been to Japan several times and know it's not a cheap place, but we're on a budget. Did you investigate whether it'd be possible to do something like this as an independent hike for significantly cheaper than the organized hike?
Oct 25, 2016, 6:17 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, AAdvantage, Southwest, HHonors, National
Posts: 528
My tour was the shorter version of the one you mention. Its the Yufuin & Kunisaki Walk. When I did it, the tour length was 3 nights, 4 days. Now its 4 nights, 5 days. The link is here. The company now does self-guided tours, which are significantly cheaper. You might want to contact them and see if you can do a custom self guided tour.
Last edited by Gradfly; Oct 25, 2016 at 6:23 am