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  • Japan is a hiker's paradise

  • Beyond the busy streets and bright lights of its cities Japan's mountains which cover over

  • 70% of its surface are a world in themselves

  • Hikers at any level can find inspiring trails all over the country, but for those willing to take on more challenging terrain

  • Japan offers some of its most breathtaking landscapes

  • For as long as mountain hiking has been popular in Japan the Japanese Alps

  • have been the ultimate playground for those looking for adventure in the mountains

  • And that is where I'll be hiking for the next two days

  • Here's the plan

  • In the northeast corner of Nagano Prefecture

  • Straddling the edge of the famous snow resort town of Hakuba lies Mount Shiroumadake

  • Shirouma has one of the most unique hikes in the Alps

  • The trail starts at 1250 meters above sea level

  • Then climbs up a perennial snow field called the Daisekkei and eventually reaches the mountains' ridgline

  • where I'll drop my pack off at a mountain hut and finish the ascent to the summit of Shirouma

  • Before finally heading back to the hut where I'll stay the night

  • The next morning after catching the sunrise

  • I'll hike along the ridge hitting the summit of nearby Shakushidake

  • before reaching our high point for the day Yarigatake

  • From there, I begin the long descent with one important stop along the way

  • Hakuba Yari Onsen a natural mountainside hot spring located at an elevation of 2100 meters and

  • After a relaxing soak. I'll make my way back to the trailhead.

  • I'm Joe Mignano, web developer and staff writer for Japan guide com

  • Today I'm on assignment in the northern Japanese Alps

  • Taking on one of japan's best mountain hikes

  • climbing Mount Shiroumadake

  • Day one

  • Welcome to the Daisekkei

  • In Japanese this literally means big, snowy, mountain stream

  • The Daisekkei is a year-round snow patch leftover from the massive amounts of snow this area gets in the winter

  • Before climbing it's best to check the conditions at the previous hut this area is known to have rock slides

  • We're at about 2,000 meters above sea level right now almost to the top of the Daisekkei

  • and just in the distance there is our destination

  • Shiroumadake

  • To the left, Yarigatake, our destination for tomorrow

  • We made it we're at the ridge line now

  • behind me is Yarigatake bathed in some clouds

  • we're at the ridge line and the

  • Mountain hut our destination for the night is just ahead

  • As well as the peak of Shiroumadake

  • Day two

  • We just made it to the top of Shakushidake

  • It's an intermediary peak between Shiroumadake and where we're headed today our highest point for today

  • Yarigatake

  • Once you get above a certain elevation

  • The world below you just disappears

  • Suddenly you're amongst the clouds dragon flies buzzing around your head

  • It's a different world

  • We've made it this is Hakuba Yari onsen

  • At 2100 meters above sea level, it's one of the highest

  • Onsen in all of Japan probably one of the most remote places to take a bath

  • I hope this video has given you a glimpse into the world of hiking in Japan and

  • maybe a little inspiration to hit the trail and explore Japan's incredible landscapes for yourself

  • For more information about hiking in Japan or to watch another video

  • Click the links on the screen now

  • Or head over to japan-guide.com your comprehensive, up-to-date, travel guide first-hand from Japan

  • Thanks for watching and be sure to subscribe for more videos about Japan

  • Happy travels

Japan is a hiker's paradise

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