If you're traveling or backpacking through Hokkaido you'll be on the doorstep of one of the best hiking spots in all of Japan.

If you've got the stamina and want to do a heroic 6 hour hike through the Daisetsu-zan National Park that takes in some monumentally epic views, then all you have to do is follow my simple step by step guide.

Necessary things to take on your hike

1. Two large bottles of water
2. suncream
3. Something for lunch (ie a couple of rice balls)
4. Two bits of cardboard with '十勝 岳 望岳 台' and '美瑛' written in large letters! The first set of kanji is the name where you're hitching to, and the last set of kanji means 'Biei' (the place I advise you to spend the night). However, if you're not staying in Biei change the last set of kanji accordingly. For more information about Biei - click here.
5. A pair of walking boots - Even though climbing in Crocs was a laugh (check out my 2 movies… here and here), it wasn't really that funny when I was sliding down the mountain and trudging through the snow!

Optional things to take

A hiking trail map - if you want to plan your own route through the Daisetsu-zan National Park it's probably best to plan it in advance. The only way to do that is to buy a local hiking map with all the trails on it.

You've now bought all your 'equipment' and you're keen to start your hike, in the Daisetsu-zan National Park. Well… you can't go wrong with the below itinerary.

Phase 1

Leave Biei (or Wherever you're staying) around 6: 30-45am to ensure you get a lift to the start of the trail via hitchhiking. That way you'll definitely get to the slopes of Mt Tokachi before 8:30 am. You'll want to get an early start to avoid the mid day heat whilst you're climbing. Because, trust me when I say it get's pretty hot up there! The car park where you'll begin your epic hike is called -十勝 岳 望岳 台.

Phase 2

On reaching台 岳 望岳 台take the path That everyone else is on. You're aiming for the tallest mountain in front of you - Mount Tokachi (The one that looks like Mount Doom - from the Lord of the Rings). If you're still confused about which way to go just follow the path that's marked by rocks with yellow paint on them.

Phase 3

On reaching the summit of岳 岳- behold all of Hokkaido! The views are absolutely unreal! The Japanese even have a word to describe the view you get from a mountaintop when the clouds below you look like an ocean -雲海- unkai (cloud, sea). If I had my time again, I would have taken about an hour to absorb the view. And don't worry about time, you've got plenty of it!

Phase 4

You'll then want to start hiking to your right (as you're coming up the mountain) towards Mount Kamihorokame. In the distance you will see a mountain covered in green that looks like something out of 'Avatar' the movie. By all means Trek to that one too… However, when I did it I couldn't figure out an easy way to get home from there.

Phase 5

After reaching the summit of Mount Kamihorokame there'll be a path to the right that leads you down the mountain to an onsen called -十勝 岳 温泉. If there's snow on the mountain I highly recommend going back on yourself just a little, and sledging down the slopes to a mountain hut. For a sledge you can use your first hitchhiking sign, seeing as you don't need it anymore. When you are full to the brim of 'childlike enjoyment' you can simply take the path down the mountain. My only advice is to take this part quite slowly, as before you know it, your trek will be over.

The walk down the mountain is gorgeous… and the landscape is Spectacular. It changes with every step you take - from lush Tropical landscapes to barren Wastelands.

Phase 6

After arriving into the十勝岳温泉car-park, you may be tempted to take a dip in the Onsen there.

But I wouldn't…

This is hand's down the worst Onsen I have ever been to. Save yourself the ¥ 800 cover charge and buy yourself and icecream instead.

Finally ...

It's time to whip out the other hitchhiking cardboard sign that you've been carrying around all day. You'll be amazed (well, seeing how it is a carpark) how quickly you get offered a lift back home.

And that's it - just remember to take your time and absorb every single moment. The hike only takes around 5-6 hours, so you have tons and tons of time before it gets dark to enjoy the view AND get a lift back home.

Conclusions

If I had my time again, I would have taken a sleeping bag and camped the night on the mountain in one of the shelters. I would then have continued walking across the spine of the mountain range until 4pm the next day and only then hitchhiked home. I really cannot describe how amazing it was. It really did feel like a once in a lifetime hike.