I got into hiking while I was living in New Zealand.
I often went into the mountains with friends, and I really enjoyed those trips. After returning to Japan, I wanted to keep hiking, so I started exploring the mountains here as well.
This page brings together the mountains and trails I’ve actually walked in Japan and New Zealand. Some were short, some absolutely knackered me, and a few I’d happily do all over again.
Hiking in Japan
After getting into hiking in New Zealand, I started exploring mountains back home in Japan too.
Mt Fuji — Yamanashi / Shizuoka
My first Mt Fuji climb didn’t quite go to plan. I got no sleep at the mountain hut, lost my headlamp on the way up and started feeling sick near the summit.
I still made it up in time for sunrise, although by then I mostly wanted to get back down.
Mt Ryokami — Saitam
A roughly five-hour hike with an uphill climb that seemed to go on forever.
Surprisingly, the chain sections weren’t the hardest part for me. They were actually quite fun and broke up the relentless uphill walking.
See what the Mt Ryokami hike was like →
Mt Azumaya & Mt Neko — Nagano
My first hike in Japan after getting into hiking in New Zealand.
The summit of Mt Azumaya disappeared into the mist, but the sasa-covered ridge towards Mt Neko became my favourite part of the entire hike.
Follow my Mt Azumaya & Mt Neko hike →
Mt Akagi & Mt Kurobi — Gunma
A short three-hour hike, but much steeper than I’d expected. The stairs and steep climb tired my legs surprisingly quickly.
The views were brilliant, although now that I’m used to longer hikes, once was probably enough for me.
See what hiking Mt Akagi was like →
Hiking in New Zealand
New Zealand is where I got into hiking in the first place. Here are some of the tracks and mountains I walked while I was there.
Roy’s Peak — Wanaka
A tough 6–7 hour hike that had me questioning myself almost as soon as I started. My legs came close to cramping, but the views over Lake Wanaka kept me going.
Then I reached what I thought was the summit — only to find out I still had another half an hour to go.
Read about my Roy’s Peak climb →
Woolshed Creek Hut — Canterbury
An overnight hut trip with friends rather than just a climb to a summit.
We took the gentler track up, stayed in the mountains, saw the stars and played in the snow, then came back down a much steeper and slipperier route.
Read about our Woolshed Creek hut trip →
Mt Cloudesley — Canterbury
My first mountain above 2,000 metres — and one I might not have finished without my friend pushing me on.
The climb left me panting and close to cramping, but I eventually made it to 2,107 metres.
Read about my Mt Cloudesley climb →
Hooker Valley Track — Aoraki / Mt Cook
A much gentler walk than most of the mountain hikes on this page.
The track brought Mt Cook closer and closer until I eventually reached the glacial lake — where I made the mistake of putting my legs into the freezing water.
Walk the Hooker Valley Track with me →
Mt Vernon Park — Christchurch
I took the steep and rocky Dry Ridge Track, passing plenty of sheep before joining the Rapaki Track towards the top.
It only took me a couple of hours, although my back was pretty sore by the time I’d finished.
Read about my Mt Vernon hike →