Escape summer in the city and head to the hills

With post-rainy season temperatures rising in the concrete jungle of Tokyo, and the ongoing effort to save energy (which means no or, if you’re lucky, low air conditioning), it’s definitely time to drop a few degrees by taking a hike somewhere in the lush, green hills of Japan.

Just a few hours out of Tokyo by train or car, you can enjoy these scenic sites without breaking into a sweat. Unless you want to, of course.

1. Kamikochi, Nagano Prefecture

Dubbed the Japanese Alps in 1877, when the breathtaking beauty of the snow-capped Nagano mountain range was discovered by English explorers, a trip to Kamikochi will leave you in awe of the picture-perfect setting -- and the convenience of omiyage shops, onsen, ice cream and snack stalls 1,500 meters above sea level.

But not to worry, while the shops and facilities are sufficient, the area is not touristy and far from overdeveloped, with just half a dozen hotels.

Private cars are also banned from Kamikochi, in favor of buses or taxis. Three hours are sufficient to cover around half of the mostly flat 15kilometer trekking route at a leisurely pace.

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Geographically, Kamikochi is basically a long plateau in the Azusa River Valley, surrounded by dramatic mountains starting from 2,455 meters in height.

Beginners are recommended to try the route from the turquoise Taisho Pond to Kappabashi Bridge, a suspension bridge where you’ll find restaurants and cafés nearby for a lunch break. Abundant birch trees add to the Alpine feel.

Kappabashi Bridge, spanning the Azusa River, is the main landmark here and a popular photo spot. In fact, so stunning is the scenery that you may well find an artist here who has dedicated his life to painting the vista of Kamikochi.

Another attraction is the Imperial Hotel Kamikochi of the prestigious Imperial Hotel chain, which was previously owned and partly funded by the Imperial family. Designed like an Alpine resort, sipping a spot of tea at the hotel café is on the wish list of many a sophisticated Japanese lady. Which just goes to show how Kamikochi is a hiking trek fit for royalty.

2. Goshiki-numa (Five-Color Lake), Fukushima Prefecture

Here you can row a pleasure boat on one of the largest lakes in the 800-meter-high Bandai Highlands, Lake Hibara, before embarking on a 3.6-kilometer route through the cluster of lakes at Goshiki-numa Park nearby.

This natural wonder was formed volcanically when Mount Bandai erupted on July 15, 1988. The main lakes in this park are called Akanuma, Bentennuma, Rurinuma, Aonuma and Bishamonnuma. The park is a must-see spot in the Bandai Highlands region.

Minerals from the devastating eruption tint each of the lakes a different hue, ranging from emerald green and cobalt blue to reddish green; the colors fluctuate throughout the year according to the weather. The easy trek can be completed in around an hour. 

3. Oze National Park, Gunma Prefecture

This sprawling 760-hectare marshland is well-loved for its charming wooden boardwalk paths through seemingly endless carpets of flora and fauna. The mizubasho or Japanese skunk cabbage, and nikko-kisuge (yellow alpine lily) are the signature blossoms here, though there is no lack of other rare mountain foliage at this strictly protected national park.

Visitors even have to scrub their boots on a special carpet before entering to prevent the introduction of non-native plants to this almost pristine park.

At some 1,700 meters above sea level, it’s also Japan’s highest moor. Oze is made up of the Ozegahara moor, Ozenuma lake and surrounding mountains.

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Trekkers tend to bunch up here as there is just one path, with one lane for each direction. Nevertheless, as can be expected of Japan, ramblers are thoughtful and there is often what seems to be a greeting competition to see who can “Konnichiwa” the oncoming trekker first.

The climb to the wooden path involves negotiating a few flights of steps first, which makes this slightly more challenging among the treks mentioned. But come here once, and you’ll be back for moor, so to speak.