backpacking japan. needs help..

[selway1984]

hello there...

my name is rick i live in the uk. iam 24.

i have pack backed around europe in the past 3 years and now i long to travel to japan and backpack the rural areas of japan.

its a beautiful country with lots of history and lots of beautiful senery.

iam looking for either some advice of where is the best places to go see or someone else who is looking to do the same..

this is going to be on a small budget inside 3 months. i do though intend to look for a permenant job and living while over there but this will not interfere with the travels.

please any tips or help would be very welcome.

u can email me direct on [email protected] if u like.

[MMM]

The backpacking culture of Europe is completely different from the culture of Japan. Setting up camp anywhere is very discouraged. Hostels are few and far between, and inns are expensive.

I think you need to research a very specific plan using campgrounds (with reservations). Day hikes are easy and no problem, but extended hitchhiking treks don't work out as well.

Rural Japan is beautiful and should be explored, but it is difficult in the way you describe.

[Nyororin]

I`d say your best bet is to do a hike of one of the pilgrimage trails. They`re not exactly crowded, and the route is usually clearly marked... Plus you have the bonus of traditional sleeping accommodations along the way.
3 months though is going to be hard to pull off, although I suppose you could try to walk a large number of them (From what I understand it`s usually a week or two trip for each.)