Japan is well-known for its crowded cities and industrial production, but few foreigners are aware that most of the Japanese islands are mountainous with many trekking opportunities. Increasing numbers of Japanese are escaping their cities for hiking trips into the mountains. Maps and guidebooks provide almost total coverage, but these are mostly in Japanese and incomprehensible to foreign visitors. In 1988, Kodansha International published "Hiking in Japan" by Paul Hunt. This is the only hiking guidebook in English for adventurers who wish to explore Japan's highest peaks. It is available at many bookstores worldwide, as well as over the internet. The author has much more information than is presented in the book about trekking in Japan, including thousands of photographs. He hopes to develop this internet site into an interactive means of communication for updated information on all aspects of trekking in Japan. Although the book is a valuable store of essential information it is impossible to keep it updated. Internet is the ideal means of providing recent information. Kodansha International reprinted the book in December 2000, including some updated information . As a beginning, the author offers direct email access to anyone who seeks more information about trekking conditions in Japan, or those who would like to provide recent details of their trekking experiences to aid those who may follow in their footsteps. Please send questions, comments, or details about trekking adventures directly to the author at: trek_japan@yahoo.co.uk
	Paul Hunt graduated from London University with a degree in Geography. He worked as a meteorologist at the University of Birmingham for two years, and also taught on a Master of Science meteorology course. Mr Hunt first came to Japan in 1978 to work with a team exploring for oil in the Japan Sea. He returned in 1979 and lived in Japan for five years, hiking the length and breadth of the country. He has also travelled extensively in Asia and Africa, and is now travelling around the world.
	There are 2 new youth hostels in Tokyo: Sky Court Koiwa, tel:0336724411 and Sky Court Asakusa, tel:0338754411 Takao Youth Hostel, mentioned on page 134 of previous reprints, has been demolished. The museum at Takao-san described on page 133, is now called "Takao Museum of Natural History". Admission is free. This museum, and a trek up Takao-san on the western outskirts of the Tokyo suburbs, is highly recommended as an introduction to the natural environment and mountains of Japan. In the introduction on page 9 it says, "The microtexture and precipitous valley slopes in Japan mean that losing the trail can be disastrous." Rather than "microtexture" it is more correct to describe the topography as "very dissected terrain" with sharp ridges and steep valleys.
	Author, Paul Hunt, on the summit of Mt. Ogi, west of Tokyo, in February Paul on Mt. Bandai in northern Honshu, in early June. Paul in Okutama National Park west of Tokyo, in February. Paul in the Yatsugatake mountains climbing Akadake, in November. Crowded summit of Mt. Fuji in late July. Descending the cinder slopes of Mt. Fuji in late July. Oze marshes and Mt. Shibutsu in late May. Oze marshes in late May. Jonen-dake and Jonen Mountain Hut on the pass, Northern Alps, early May. Yarigatake's famous peak in the Northern Alps, early May. Tsubakuro Hut in the Northern Alps, early May. Camping in snow at Tsubakuro Hut, early May. Ptarmigan (Raicho in Japanese) in the Northern Alps, early May. Bamboo - many species are found in the Japanese mountains.
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