A Country of Mountains and Volcanoes

Japan is part of the Circum-Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a geologically active region that has blessed the country with dramatic mountain ranges including over 200 volcanoes, 60 of which remain active. The Japan Alps, which run down the spine of Honshu (the country’s largest island), boasts peaks soaring over 3,000 meters. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions have shaped the land, creating some of the most striking landscapes in the world and some of the best hiking in Japan.

This natural beauty has deeply influenced Japanese culture. In the ancient Shinto religion, natural features like mountains, waterfalls, and forests are believed to contain spirits called “kami.” This reverence for nature has inspired countless pilgrimage routes and traditions, which are still celebrated today. Words like “komorebi” (the dappled light filtering through trees) and “kawaakari” (the glow of a river at dusk) capture the nation’s poetic connection to the natural world. Hiking in Japan feels like stepping into a landscape that feels both sacred and alive.

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