Today we are answering the question, “Is there a lot of walking in Japan?”

The short answer is Yes! Japan is a walking-focused society. On our tours, we usually walk five to seven miles (10,000-15,000 steps) every day! And it’s not only walking. There’s a lot of standing, inclines, and also stairs.

Walking in Major Cities

The major cities in Japan are very pedestrian friendly. The sidewalks are mostly flat and there are very few obstacles.

Elevators and Escalators

The major stations have escalators and elevators. Keep in mind that the elevators are sometimes a little small, which could be an issue if you’re traveling with large suitcases. Outside of the major cities, elevators and escalators are not as common.

Sitting and Relaxing

One thing that people on our tours often find surprising is that there are not a lot of places to sit and rest. Even at the parks, there aren’t a lot of park benches to have a seat and relax. Seats on trains are not always available. You’ll often have to stand when you’re riding a train.

Coffee Shops

The best place to take a break is to go to a coffee shop. The coffee shops in Japan are probably the most crowded you’ve ever seen anywhere in the world! This is because they’re some of the only places to actually sit down and relax.

If you’re tired and need to take a break, head to the nearest coffee shop. And then hope there’s a seat available!

Lots of Taxis

There are a lot of taxis in Japan. If you’re tired of walking, you can always hop in a taxi and be off to your next destination.

Don’t Forget Comfortable Walking Shoes

We can’t stress enough how important it is to have at least two pairs of very comfortable walking shoes. We advise people on our tours to bring one pair of light weight, breathable walking/running shoes and one pair of comfortable, water resistant shoes.

Shawn Recommends:

For his running/walking shoe, Shawn likes the Adizero running shoes by Adidas. They’re light weight, breathable, and ultra comfortable. For rainy days, he recommends a pair of leather Adidas Busenitz sneakers. They’re comfortable and help keep his feet dry on those wet sightseeing days.

Becki Recommends:

For her running/walking shoe, Becki also likes the Adizero running shoes by Adidas for all the same reasons. For rainy days, she recommends a pair of leather Adidas Cloudfoam Advantage sneakers. They’ve got extra padding in the sole for comfort and the leather helps keep her feet dry on wet days.

Visiting Temples, Shrines, and Castles

If you have difficulty walking, then temples, shrines, and castles may be challenging. The highlight of visiting the temples, shrines, and castles is that they are hundreds of years old. Because of this, many of the structures and grounds are maintained using the same techniques as when they were built.

Steep Hills

Temples, shrines, and castles are often located at the top of hills, which means you sometimes have to walk up steep inclines to reach the entrance. The walking paths are usually made of gravel or stone, and are not easy if you are rolling anything, such as a stroller, wheelchair, or a walker.

Stairs and Railings

Stairs are sometimes made out of rocks, logs, or even cuts into the hillside. Most often, there are no railings. If you need railings to climb stairs, then you might want to consider bringing walking sticks.

Castle Stairs

The preserved castles in Japan usually have the original stair design. Because the stairs were designed to keep out intruders, they’re very steep and ladder-like.

The castles that were built later on in the 50s and 60s, after World War II, are usually replicas of the original castle. The replica castles, such as Osaka Castle, have elevators and museums instead of the original interior.

Trails and Hiking

Japan is known for its famous trails, such as the Kumano Kodo and the Nakasendo Trail in the Kiso Valley. These trails are very ancient and very raw. Expect uneven and unpaved paths with lots of loose rocks and tree roots. Some areas have steep inclines and declines, especially on the Kumano Kodo.

Finish What You Started

Keep in mind that the trails are very isolated and have limited cell phone reception. Once you begin a trail, you either need to reach your next destination or turn back to where you started. There are not many opportunities to quit in the middle.

Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji is another famous hike. The trail on Mount Fuji is very rocky and uneven.

The hike can get really crowded. Because the trails are only open a couple months a year, in July, August, and the beginning of September, there are millions of people on the trails.

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