• start here
  • about
  • group trips
  • brooke beyond

  • hiking guides
  • outdoor gear
    • hiking boots
    • hiking backpacks
    • cold-weather layers
    • backpacking tent
    • outdoor sleep system
    • backcountry food
    • day-hike packing list
    • hut-to-hut packing list
    • via ferrata packing list
    • backpacking packing list
    • mountaineering packing list

brooke beyond

Great Ocean Walk hike Australia Johanna Beach
Aus + NZ / Australia / Victoria

Apollo Bay to Twelve Apostles: A complete guide to solo hiking the Great Ocean Walk

8 July 2020

Last Updated on 13 May 2024

Winding along the southern Victorian coast just a few hours out of Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s most popular attractions, a sea of tourists cluttered around every beautiful viewpoint and an alarming number of signs reminding visitors to drive on the left in Australia. It’s popular for a reason; the wind-whipped sea cliffs, crescent coves, and flourishing koala population are enough to draw locals down the coast in equally high numbers.

But there’s still so much more to this region than can really be experienced along a paved road or at an over-crowded lookout— much of its magic lies deep in the Great Otway National Park, hours out of mobile reception on wild headlands and in sheltered coves. The Great Ocean Walk is an attempt to capture some of that magic, and in exchange for walking 104km with all of your own gear, you’ll be rewarded with the kind of breathtaking views that most road-trippers could only dream of.

Whether an experienced hiker or a novice looking to tackle their first multi-day trek, here is absolutely everything you need to know about planning and hiking the Great Ocean Walk on your own, including when to walk, how to get to the trail, how to reserve campsites, what each day on the trail looks like, itinerary suggestions, what to expect along the way, and a comprehensive packing list.

What's in this guide

Toggle
  • About the Great Ocean Walk
  • Planning the Great Ocean Walk
    • When to do the Great Ocean Walk
      • Summer
      • Winter
    • Reserving campsites on the Great Ocean Walk
    • Getting from Melbourne to Apollo Bay
      • Driving to Apollo Bay
      • Public transport to Apollo Bay
      • Twelve Apostles back to Melbourne
  • Hiking the Great Ocean Walk
    • Stage 1: Apollo Bay to Elliot Ridge
    • Stage 2: Elliot Ridge to Blanket Bay
    • Stage 3: Blanket Bay to Cape Otway
    • Stage 4: Cape Otway to Aire River
    • Stage 5: Aire River to Johanna Beach
    • Stage 6: Johanna Beach to Ryan’s Den
    • Stage 7: Ryan’s Den to Devil’s Kitchen
    • Stage 8: Devil’s Kitchen to Twelve Apostles
    • *Itinerary recommendations
  • What to expect on the Great Ocean Walk
    • Terrain
    • Navigation
    • Wildlife
    • Camping & facilities
    • Water
    • Reception
    • Safety
      • Be prepared for all weather
      • Be ready to respond to a medical emergency
      • Be able to call for help
  • Packing list for the Great Ocean Walk
    • Clothes
    • Personal items
    • Backpacking gear 
    • Food

About the Great Ocean Walk

The Great Ocean Walk is a 104km trail located about 3hrs west of Melbourne, providing a more intimate, slow-paced look at Victoria’s most coveted stretch of coastline.

From Apollo Bay in the east to the Twelve Apostles in the west, the Great Ocean Walk passes through towering eucalypt forests, traverses secluded beaches, and leads up wild, wind-whipped headlands to reach some of the state’s tallest and most dramatic sandstone cliffs several days later. It is, without a doubt, some of the most spectacular and varied scenery you’ll find on any walk in mainland Australia.

The Great Ocean Walk is officially divided into 8 stages, which I’ve broken down in further detail below— it’s possible to walk each stage as a separate day or combine various stages to suit an itinerary of any length.

At the end of each of these stages is a dedicated GOW campsite with simple tent sites and basic facilities (described below). This isn’t a luxurious hut-to-hut walk, but it’s still a reasonably easy trail accessible to hikers of all experience levels, so long as you are up for the adventure!

Great Ocean Walk hike Twelve Apostles
Twelve Apostles, the end of the Great Ocean Walk

Planning the Great Ocean Walk

When to do the Great Ocean Walk

Summer

Given its location on Victoria’s chilly south coast, the Great Ocean Walk will be at its warmest and sunniest during the summer months (November to February). Consequently, you can expect a large number of hikers on the trail and you’ll need to book campsites well in-advance, particularly if hiking during the school holidays.

Consider also that summer carries the greatest risk of bushfires, heat exhaustion, and also (lest we forget) SNAKES— as a solo hiker, I wouldn’t even consider doing this walk in summer without a very reliable EPIRB/PLB.

Some hikers have said they didn’t enjoy the Great Ocean Walk because of how crowded it was during summer, which is a HUGE shame on such a spectacular trail— but if you’re relatively new to bushwalking or you’re hiking solo, it’s possible that having a lot of people around might actually be a positive!

Winter

Personally, I’d suggest hiking during off-peak, either opting for the somewhat quieter but still reasonably nice spring months (March to May) or just diving in head-first for a winter walk (May to August).

Unpredictable winter weather means that it’s especially important to be well-prepared for quickly changing conditions, to have some basic backcountry skills in case of emergency, and to pack appropriate cold-weather gear— but the reward is hardly anyone else on the trail, plenty of last-minute availability at campsites, and no real risk of bushfires OR snakes.

I completed the Great Ocean Walk in July, basically the dead of winter in Victoria, and enjoyed sporadic sunshine mixed with a LOT of rain and nighttime temperatures just barely above freezing.

With adequate rain gear, a sturdy tent, and a thick sleeping bag, I had an absolutely phenomenal adventure— the wild weather only added to the intrigue of the walk and I also really liked the solitude!

Great Ocean Walk hike Australia beach female solo hiker
The sunniest of winter days

Reserving campsites on the Great Ocean Walk

There are 7 purpose-built Great Ocean Walk (GOW) campsites along the route and all need to be booked in advance using the super convenient ParkStay system by Parks Victoria. These are small hike-in campgrounds with just 8 sites— booking early in summer or over the holidays is essential!

Great Ocean Walk booking campsites hike map
Booking campsites along the Great Ocean Walk

Each campground along the Great Ocean Walk costs $17.20 per night, meaning that a 5-day hike will cost you $68.80 and an 8-day hike (staying at every single campsite) will come in at $120.40.

As soon as you book and pay for your camping, download the PDF itinerary, which includes detailed information about each of your chosen campgrounds, and check your email for the permits. It’s unlikely anyone will ask to see these, but it’s handy to have a screenshot just in case.

Read more about what to expect at each campground and my 5-day itinerary (staying at Elliot Ridge, Cape Otway, Johanna Beach & Devil’s Kitchen) below.

Great Ocean Walk hike Australia Elliot Ridge campsite
Elliot Ridge campsite

Getting from Melbourne to Apollo Bay

The Great Ocean Walk begins in Apollo Bay, about 3hrs west of Melbourne via Geelong, and then ends at the Twelve Apostles, further west along the Great Ocean Road. There are a few different ways to get to and from the trailhead:

Driving to Apollo Bay

Obviously the easiest way to get to the trailhead in Apollo Bay is to simply drive 3hrs from Melbourne and park at the information centre. You can then catch a shuttle from Twelve Apostles back to your car in Apollo Bay at the end of the hike.

Parks Victoria specifically recommend:

  • GOR Shuttle: 0428 379 278
  • Walk 91: 0439 893 950
  • Timboon Taxi: 0438 407 777
  • Christian’s Bus Company (V/Line): (03) 5562 9432.

Browse Australia tour packages

Public transport to Apollo Bay

If you’d rather use public transport, you can take the V/Line train from Southern Cross Station to Geelong (1hr) and then catch a V/Line bus towards Warrnambool (2.75hrs). All up, this journey will take you around 4.5hrs (including transfer time) and tickets are $30.80— book in advance on the V/Line website!

This is how I got to Apollo Bay and it was great not having to hassle with a shuttle or parking! The bus also delivers you directly to the Information Centre in Apollo Bay, which is the official start to the Great Ocean Walk.

V/Line itinerary for my Great Ocean Walk

Twelve Apostles back to Melbourne

At the end of your walk, you can either catch a shuttle back to your car in Apollo Bay (see recommended companies above) or catch the V/Line bus to Apollo Bay (1.5hrs; $11.20) and then follow the same bus/train route described above to get back into the city (4hrs; $30.80).

Great Ocean Walk hike Australia manna gum forest
Magical manna gum forest

Hiking the Great Ocean Walk

The Great Ocean Walk is officially divided into 8 stages, with the first 7 stages finishing at a designated GOW campsite (and the final stage culminating at the Twelve Apostles).

For each stage, here are the official distance given by Parks Victoria, the time it took me to actually complete (I’m a moderately quick hiker, for reference), my own assessment of difficulty, and some of my favourite highlights!

Stage 1: Apollo Bay to Elliot Ridge

Distance: 9.8km
Trail hours: 2h50m
Difficulty: easy/medium
Highlights: Beautiful stretches of beach walking along quiet Marengo, Three Creeks & Shelly Beaches; incredible ferns and towering trees in the Great Otway National Park; koalas at Elliot Ridge
Campsite: Elliot Ridge GOW Hiker Camp

Read more: GREAT OCEAN WALK (DAY 1): APOLLO BAY TO ELLIOT RIDGE

Great Ocean Walk hike Australia beach female solo hiker

Stage 2: Elliot Ridge to Blanket Bay

Distance: 12km
Trail hours: 2h45m
Difficulty: easy
Highlights: Wild coastal views out towards the cape, with some of the walk’s most dramatic sea cliffs; historic Cape Otway lighthouse
Campsite: Blanket Bay GOW Hiker Camp

Read more: GREAT OCEAN WALK (DAY 2): ELLIOT RIDGE TO CAPE OTWAY VIA BLANKET BAY

Great Ocean Walk hike Australia Blanket Bay beach camp

Stage 3: Blanket Bay to Cape Otway

Distance: 10.5km
Trail hours: 4hrs
Difficulty: easy/medium
Highlights: Beautiful forest scenery through Great Otway National Park; a muddy but very scenic descent to sunny Blanket Bay
Campsite: Cape Otway GOW Hiker Camp

Read more: GREAT OCEAN WALK (DAY 2): ELLIOT RIDGE TO CAPE OTWAY VIA BLANKET BAY

Great Ocean Walk hike Australia Parker Inlet

Stage 4: Cape Otway to Aire River

Distance: 9.6km
Trail hours: 2hrs
Difficulty: easy
Highlights: Pumping surf at Station Beach; views over the wetlands at Aire River Lookout
Campsite: Aire River GOW Hiker Camp

Read more: GREAT OCEAN WALK (DAY 3): CAPE OTWAY TO JOHANNA BEACH VIA AIRE RIVER

Great Ocean Walk hike Australia Aire River rain female solo

Stage 5: Aire River to Johanna Beach

Distance: 13.8km
Trail hours: 4hrs
Difficulty: easy/medium
Highlights: Wild coastal views between at Castle Cove; fairytale manna gum and grass tree forests; severals kms of walking across Johanna Beach; camping with an incredible view of the coastline
Campsite: Johanna Beach GOW Hiker Camp

Read more: GREAT OCEAN WALK (DAY 3): CAPE OTWAY TO JOHANNA BEACH VIA AIRE RIVER

Great Ocean Walk hike Australia Johanna Beach

Stage 6: Johanna Beach to Ryan’s Den

Distance: 13.8km
Trail hours: 4hrs
Difficulty: medium/hard
Highlights: Eastern Grey Kangaroos hopping through the rolling hills near Johanna Beach; sun at secluded Milanesia Beach
Campsite: Ryan’s Den GOW Hiker Camp

Read more: GREAT OCEAN WALK (DAY 4): JOHANNA BEACH TO DEVIL’S KITCHEN VIA RYAN’S DEN

Great Ocean Walk hike solo female
Rolling hills near Johanna Beach

Stage 7: Ryan’s Den to Devil’s Kitchen

Distance: 12.8km
Trail hours: 4h10m
Difficulty: medium/hard
Highlights: Wild coastal views from Moonlight Head & The Gables Lookout, perched on one of the highest sea cliffs in Australia
Campsite: Devil’s Kitchen GOW Hiker Camp

Read more: GREAT OCEAN WALK (DAY 4): JOHANNA BEACH TO DEVIL’S KITCHEN VIA RYAN’S DEN

Great Ocean Walk hike solo female

Stage 8: Devil’s Kitchen to Twelve Apostles

Distance: 16km
Trail hours: 4hrs
Difficulty: easy
Highlights: Glimpses of the Twelve Apostles down the coastline; beautiful scenery at the Gibson Steps; the incomparable Twelve Apostles & the end to the Great Ocean Walk!

Read more: GREAT OCEAN WALK (DAY 5): DEVIL’S KITCHEN TO TWELVE APOSTLES

Great Ocean Walk hike Twelve Apostles

*Itinerary recommendations

Some hikers take 8 days to complete the walk, staying at every campsite and treating each stage as its own day— but there are a number of very short stages (2-3hrs), so it’s also completely reasonable to pack the full Great Ocean Walk into a shorter time frame.

I did the Great Ocean Walk in 5 days, which was a bit of a challenge in the winter given the short daylight hours, but still a perfect amount of time for me. This involved 8hrs of continuous hiking on day 4, so if that sounds like too much, you probably need to break those stages apart.

  • Day 1: Travel from Melbourne & Apollo Bay to Elliot Ridge (9.8km)
  • Day 2: Elliot Ridge to Cape Otway (22.5km)
  • Day 3: Cape Otway to Johanna Beach (23.4km)
  • Day 4: Johanna Beach to Devil’s Kitchen (26.6km)
  • Day 5: Devil’s Kitchen to Twelve Apostles (16km)

By staying in Apollo Bay on the night before your planned departure (and if you’re a fast hiker), you can also reasonably condense the Great Ocean Walk into 4 days:

  • Day 1: Apollo Bay to Blanket Bay (21.8km)
  • Day 2: Blanket Bay to Aire River (20.1km)
  • Day 3: Aire River to Ryan’s Den (27.6km)
  • Day 4: Ryan’s Den to Twelve Apostles (28.8km)

If the thought of walking 6-9hrs for most of your days on the trail is unappealing, then a 6-day or 7-day walk may be more suitable!

If you only combine 2 stages for your whole trip, it should probably be Stages 3 & 4, since these are the shortest.

* Yes, I’m aware these distances don’t add exactly up to 104km, but it’s what Parks Victoria uses on the offical GOW site, so it’s what I’m using here.

Great Ocean Walk Elliot Ridge wild koala in tree
Koala at Elliot Ridge

What to expect on the Great Ocean Walk

Terrain

There is lots of varied terrain on the Great Ocean Walk, which is part of what makes the journey so interesting! Expect to walk across sandy beaches, narrow dirt trails, wider fire trails, some sections of gravel or paved road, slippery wooden bridged, and up/down stone steps, with a few kilometres of boardwalk scattered throughout.

Great Ocean Walk hike Australia solo female hiker rain
Great Ocean Walk hike Australia rain steps

The terrain really never includes gnarled branches or unstable rocks, but I’d still strongly recommend hiking in boots— this is coastal Victoria, so no matter the time of year, you can expect at least some mud and a lot of slippery wooden planks or steps to navigate. Walking long days, you’ll also be very appreciative of the ankle support.

Over the course of the Great Ocean Walk, you will gain and lose around 3,300m of elevation, which isn’t a massive amount compared to trekking in the Alps or the Andes— but it’s also nothing to scoff at, especially if you’re doing the walk in 4 or 5 days.

Very little of this walk is actually spent on flat ground, and although some of the ascents/descents are undulating or very gradual, others can be fairly steep. Trekking poles will be a massive asset to those, like me, burdened with knees beyond their years (I believe the medical term is bung knees).

Navigation

The Great Ocean Walk is impeccably signed, making navigation incredibly simple along the trail. All important junctions are marked with a yellow arrow and various points throughout the journey also have a sign indicating kms to major landmarks, including the nearest GOW campsite.

Great Ocean Walk hike Australia Otway National Park
Great Ocean Walk hike Milanesia Beach

There is an official Great Ocean Walk map available for purchase at the Apollo Bay Information Centre, but there is genuinely NO need to have this with you, nor is there a need for a GPS. It is 110% possible to navigate by signs, arrows, and common sense alone (although, obviously, get the map if you want the map).

I do not say this lightly, because I have the directional sense of a carrot, but: you would have to try bloody hard to get lost on the Great Ocean Walk.

Wildlife

One of the very best things about the Great Ocean Walk is the opportunity to see endemic Australian wildlife, particularly koalas and echidnas that are rare enough to excite even the most jaded native. Koalas are particularly common at Elliot Ridge and Cape Otway campsites— I had a delightfully close encounter with a koala at Elliot Ridge my very first night on the trail!

Although not a rare sight in country Victoria, there are also heaps of Eastern Grey Kangaroos in the rolling hills behind Johanna Beach, and this is also where I spotted an echidna digging into the grass. In winter, it’s even possible to see Southern Right Whales off the coast from The Gables (near Ryan’s Den).

Great Ocean Walk Elliot Ridge wild koala in tree
Great Ocean Walk hike kangaroo Johanna Beach

Camping & facilities

All 7 GOW campsites along the Great Ocean Walk have 8 tent sites, untreated rainwater tanks, drop toilets (with toilet paper, although it’s never a bad idea to pack some just in case), and three-wall shelters with a communal table.

If you want to plan your itinerary around specific campsites, or even if you just want to know what to look forward to, these are the 7 GOW sites along the trail in order from east to west (walking towards Twelve Apostles):

  • Elliot Ridge | shaded spot below towering eucalyptus trees
  • Blanket Bay | sunny campsite set a few steps back from the beach (nearby vehicle access)
  • Cape Otway | 600 metres from the Cape Otway Lighthouse, nestled in the forest (nearby vehicle access)
  • Aire River | located just off the river, near some larger public campgrounds (vehicle access)
  • Johanna Beach | situated on a bluff overlooking Johanna Beach, about 5min walk from the public campsites at the beach (nearby vehicle access)
  • Ryan’s Den | shaded spot in the trees along the cliffline
  • Devil’s Kitchen | remote site set amongst coastal woodland with great coastal views

In terms of favourites, both Elliot Ridge and Cape Otway are known for frequent koala sightings, while Johanna Beach and Blanket Bay have the best coastal views.

Great Ocean Walk hike Australia Johanna Beach
Johanna Beach campsite

Water

As mentioned, all 7 GOW campsites have untreated rainwater tanks, which will be your primary source of cooking and drinking water along the Great Ocean Walk.

It’s possible that these tanks may run low in summer and it’s also recommended to treat the water before drinking (although Australian park rangers will often tell you that they drink the rain water untreated), so it is highly recommended to bring a reliable water filtration device.

Worst case, you can boil your drinking water each night before bed or just take your chances with the rain water, but if the tanks are empty, you’re going to really need that filter to safely drink from a creek.

Great Ocean Walk hike Australia Cape Otway beach
Cape Otway

Reception

Certainly don’t count on having consistent mobile reception along the Great Ocean Walk, but given its proximity to the Great Ocean Road and several popular tourist sites, there is some mobile signal (I can vouch for Telstra only) at:

  • Blanket Bay
  • Cape Otway
  • Aire River
  • Johanna Beach
  • Ryan’s Den
  • Devil’s Kitchen
  • Gellibrand River & most of the way to Twelve Apostles
Great Ocean Walk hike Australia Castle Cove female solo
Approaching Castle Cove

Safety

All the gear and safety equipment in the world are no substitute for common sense and basic wilderness experience, but it’s still an essential part of a safe and happy hike. In my opinion, these are the three most important safety considerations for the Great Ocean Walk:

  • Be prepared for all weather
  • Be ready to respond to a medical emergency
  • Be able to call for help if the situation requires

Be prepared for all weather

The weather along Victoria’s coast is notoriously wet and unpredictable, and the Great Ocean Walk is absolutely no exception.

In winter, that means bringing warm clothes and rain gear, a durable tent with a rain fly and guy lines, and a cold-weather sleeping bag (rated to at least 0C).

In summer, pack plenty of sunscreen and a hat, make sure to carry enough water for the day (as well as a filter in case the tanks are empty), and stay alert for bushfire warnings.

Be ready to respond to a medical emergency

It’s also essential that you carry a well-stocked first aid kit in case of emergencies, probably the most concerning of which is a snake bite. This wasn’t an issue on my winter hike, but the summer months bring quite a few poisonous snakes to the region— so it’s VERY important to have the necessary items in your kit and to know how to use them.

Most first aid courses in Australia teach the Pressure Immobilisation Technique for snake bites (also works for some spider bites), but you can get the idea just from watching a video on YouTube.

Make sure you stock your kit with plenty of bandages, antiseptic, strapping tape, and assorted drugs (anti-inflammatories and antihistamines are a good place to start).

Be able to call for help

Lastly, you need to be able to call for help if you or someone else is badly injured (even correctly using the PIT for a snake bite, you have to be urgently rushed to hospital for anti-venom) or if weather conditions get too far out of hand and you’re worried for your safety (e.g bushfire in summer).

You should carry a mobile phone with a backup power bank, but also be aware that much of the walk is without reception— if you’re hiking in summer (especially if you’re alone), you should really have a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) or EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon).

Without the risk of snake bit or bushfire in winter, I felt comfortable with just my phone, but that is a decision every hiker needs to make for themselves.

Great Ocean Walk Apollo Bay girl solo hiker

Packing list for the Great Ocean Walk

Clothes

  • Hat + sunnies
  • 2x short-sleeve hiking shirts
  • Lightweight fleece
  • Insulated mountain jacket (synthetic, so you can hike in it)
  • Down jacket (winter)
  • Beanie
  • Goretex rain jacket
  • Waterproof gloves (winter)
  • Hiking shorts/pants
  • Fleece tights/trackies for camp (winter)
  • 3x pairs hiking liners
  • 2x pairs wool hiking socks (wear the first pair on days 1-3 and sleep in the second pair, and then wear the second pair on days 4-5 and sleep in dirty socks for just one night)
  • Sturdy hiking boots
  • Sandals for camp (I like Birkenstocks for this, since they are super light and you can wear them over socks)

Personal items

  • Sunscreen
  • Toothbrush + toothpaste
  • Body wipes (mountain shower!)
  • Hand sanitiser + toilet paper
  • First aid kit: anti-inflammatories, antihistamines, bandaids, medical tape, antiseptic, etc
  • Camera + extra batteries 
  • Phone + power bank
  • PLB (see Safety section above)

Backpacking gear 

  • 50L hiking backpack + rain cover
  • 2-3L bladder
  • Trekking poles
  • Tent with rain fly
  • Sleeping bag— recommended rating 0C or below for winter, it can get really chilly in the evenings
  • Sleeping pad
  • Camping pillow
  • Headlamp
  • Camp stove & lighter
  • 1 gas canister
  • Cookwear: bowls, cups, cutlery

Food

  • 4x Cliff Bars for breakfast
  • Cheese slices, 4x tuna cans, Jatz crackers, etc for lunch (5x days)
  • Other trail snacks, like Skittles or jerky
  • 4x powdered soup for dinner
  • 4x dehydrated dinners
  • 8x tea bags
  • Wine (I always hike with wine, it’s such a treat at the end of a long day!)
  • Water filter
Great Ocean Walk hike Australia Apollo Bay backpack
Great Ocean Walk hike Australia Otway National Park

Other multi-day hikes in Australia

THE OVERLAND TRACK: A COMPREHENSIVE DIY GUIDE TO TASMANIA’S MOST ICONIC MULTI-DAY HIKE

A COMPLETE GUIDE TO HIKING TASMANIA’S THREE CAPES TRACK

MULTI-DAY TREKKING IN SYDNEY’S BLUE MOUNTAINS: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HIKING THE SIX FOOT TRACK

ROYAL NATIONAL PARK COAST TRACK: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO SYDNEY’S BEST OVERNIGHT HIKE

8 BEST DAY HIKES AND MULTI-DAY TRACKS IN TASMANIA

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HIKING THE 3-DAY GRAMPIANS PEAKS TRAIL

TAGS:trail guides
16 Comments
Share
brooke beyond

Hey, I'm Brooke and I'm obsessed with getting off the beaten path, exploring backcountry gems & travelling beyond the ordinary! I left Australia 5 years ago after finishing a PhD in Biomechanics & have been travelling the world full-time ever since (joined by my life/climbing partner, James). Whether it’s road-tripping through Mexico, climbing alpine peaks in the Andes, scuba diving in the Red Sea, or tackling epic via ferrata in the Dolomites, I hope this blog will inspire your future adventures & help you find wonder in every corner of the globe. xx bb

Leave a Comment Cancel Comment

The Comments

  • Dianne
    20 February 2022

    Great blog Brooke, I debating which hike to tackle next on my leave in May, you’ve just help me make up my mind with al the detail.

    Reply
    • brooke brisbine
      Dianne
      5 March 2022

      So glad you found this post helpful, Dianne!

      The Great Ocean Walk certainly won’t disappoint, it’s one of the best hikes in Australia and an excellent choice for your upcoming adventure. Wishing you good conditions and happy trails!

      Reply
  • CHARLIEROSE
    29 December 2021

    THIS WAS AWESOME! SO HELPFUL! ABOUT TO DO THIS IN 2 DAYS SO I’M SO HAPPY I FOUND THIS. THANK YOU 🙂

    Reply
    • brooke brisbine
      CHARLIEROSE
      4 February 2022

      Hope your trek went well!

      Reply
  • Anna
    9 December 2021

    Hi Brooke,

    I am planning to do the walk but was wondering if there was a possibility to camp at undesignated campsites and if I could get away with that.

    Reply
    • brooke brisbine
      Anna
      10 December 2021

      Hi Anna,

      Officially, you’re not allowed to wild camp along the route (and honestly, there weren’t many places that looked terribly appealing– aside from the beach, it’s a lot of tree-covered trail and some farmland). I don’t want to advocate for circumventing the rules within a protected natural area, so all I’ll say is that no one ever came to check my camping reservation at ANY of the campsites I stayed at. If you’re visiting during a quiet period, off-season, mid-week, it’s unlikely you’d be taking a spot away from someone else– but do with that what you will!

      Happy trails!
      Brooke

      Reply
  • Victoria
    14 May 2021

    Wow Brooke
    thank you for such a comprehensive guide to the GORW. I am looking to do the entirety of the walk in 5 days as you did. I also have a fast pace. Did you need to book the campsites in advance in Winter or did you just take a chance? Great website by the way. Super informative. Love it.

    Reply
    • brooke brisbine
      Victoria
      24 May 2021

      Hi Victoria,

      So glad you found it helpful! Even in winter, you do still have to reserve campsites, but it’s an easy online process and you shouldn’t have any trouble getting reservations (since it’s not a super busy time).

      Happy trails 🙂
      -Brooke

      Reply
  • Gerrard Unmack
    16 April 2021

    Great information, and good to see different times for the walk for a faster paced Walker. Gives a guide to terrain conditions and effect on pace. 3km an hour is the standard measure, and like you I tend to have a faster pace.

    Reply
    • brooke brisbine
      Gerrard Unmack
      20 April 2021

      Thanks for reading, Gerrard!

      Reply
  • Katy
    27 February 2021

    Hi Brooke – your photos are beautiful. I’m wondering what you use as a camera?

    Reply
    • brooke brisbine
      Katy
      20 April 2021

      Thanks so much, Katy!

      I mainly use my Olympus OMD EM5 mirrorless camera for photos, but some of the photos in this post were also taken on my GoPro 🙂

      Reply
  • ritesh mittal
    20 January 2021

    Hi Brooke,
    Planning to do 3 days of Great Ocean Walk. Do you have recommendations on which sections are the most beautiful.

    thanks
    ritesh

    Reply
    • brooke brisbine
      ritesh mittal
      20 January 2021

      Hi Ritesh,

      I’d say the sections between Elliot Ridge and Johanna Beach are the most spectacular, so for a 3-day walk, you could start in Apollo Bay and finish at Johanna (which does have car access). This would follow the same itinerary as my first 3 days on the trail, for reference!

      Happy trails 🙂
      -Brooke

      Reply
  • Meaghan Timms
    1 December 2020

    This has some really great tips. Thankyou

    Reply
    • brooke brisbine
      Meaghan Timms
      4 December 2020

      Thanks for reading, and happy trails!

      -Brooke

      Reply

You May Also Like

2 February 2019

Three Capes Track (day 2): Surveyors to Munro via Arthur’s Peak

4 June 2017

Vivid Sydney 2017: The absolute best part of winter in NSW

15 December 2015

Greetings from New Zealand’s Lake Tekapo

hi, I’m brooke!

I'm obsessed with getting off the beaten path, exploring backcountry gems & travelling beyond the ordinary! I left Australia 5 years ago after finishing a PhD in Biomechanics & have been travelling the world full-time ever since (now joined by my life/climbing partner, James). I hope this blog will inspire your future adventures & help you find wonder in every corner of the globe. xx bb

read my story
currently exploring

currently exploring

mexico

read our gear guides

🥾 hiking boots

🎒 hiking backpacks

🌨️ cold-weather layers

⛺️ backpacking & alpine tents

🛌 sleeping bag & pads

🍪 backcountry food

📸 travel camera gear

✈️ travel clothing

trail guides

summit guides

itineraries

outdoor gear

GPS maps

recent posts

  • Climbing Iztaccíhuatl volcano

    2-week Mexico volcanoes itinerary: climbing Pico de Orizaba, Izta, Malinche & Toluca

    3 June 2025
  • Mexico City: the perfect 5-day itinerary for CDMX

    31 May 2025
  • Climbing Iztaccíhuatl volcano

    Driving in Mexico: essential road trip guide for foreigners

    28 May 2025
  • 10-day Rwanda road trip itinerary: gorillas, volcanoes & Lake Kivu

    25 May 2025
  • 2-week Patagonia itinerary: best of Torres del Paine & Los Glaciares/El Chaltén

    22 May 2025

@brookebeyond_
brooke ✨travel & mountain gal

@brookebeyond_

  • Takachiho Gorge, the most beautiful place in Japan 🇯🇵🌸✨

Cut by the bright turquoise Gokase River, this magical little gorge in central Kyushu is lined with towering basalt cliffs, their warped columns shaped by ancient lava flows from nearby Mt Aso, all leading towards the sparkling Minainotaki Waterfall. It’s one of those places that looks surreal in photos and somehow even better in person!

We stopped here on a 2-week Kyushu road trip and this spot completely blew us away— many people consider it the most beautiful place in Japan and I have to agree!!

Tips for visiting Takachiho Gorge:
- the site is open 8am-5pm
- entry is ¥1,000 per person + parking is available nearby
- reserve a row boat (30min) for ¥4,000 on weekdays or ¥5,000 on weeekends (boats do sell out!)
- the best light is after 10.30am, when sun hits the waterfall
- free paths run along both sides of the gorge, so you can enjoy great views even if you don’t hire a boat

Did you know Japan looked like this?! 🤩
  • More than 200,000 people climb Mt Fuji every year, but only a few dozen in the winter— it’s a notoriously dangerous ascent on steep snow and ice with insane winds, music to my ears. 

It was a gorgeous day, blue skies, not another climber on the mountain (except for me and my partner), and by all accounts it was PERFECT conditions for a Fuji summit. But then those infamous winds picked up… 🌬️

By the time we were 100m below the summit, gusts were up to 60km/hr and we dropped onto the snow every few minutes, axes dug in to brace against wild wind that threatened to rip us right off the mountain. Fuji is just a big sheet of ice at the top and the final part of the climb is a very exposed ridgeline where a slip would be fatal. We put up a good fight, but in the end, there was absolutely no way to continue safely. So we made the call to turn around.

And although this is far from the first mountain I’ve failed to summit, it was probably the most painful. 

Knowing when to turn back is one of the most important skills in climbing, but it’s still one I struggle with— the feeling of being SO close, of “failing” because you didn’t stand on the summit, is such a challenge for me because I’ve tied so much of my self-worth, particularly as a young female climber, to being strong enough/tough enough to *keep pushing*

But pushing through dangerous conditions isn’t really admirable, it’s just stupid…

And when you’re so fixated on the end goal, it’s easy to feel like the effort & accomplishment of the other 2,500m don’t mean anything without the final 100m. 

But a climb is so much more than the summit. And our worth as climbers (or hikers or PEOPLE) cannot come only from the successes. It has to come from the genuine pursuit, too. From the moments we try our best and don’t quite make it. And certainly from the moments we are strong enough to accept “not this time, but hopefully sometime in the future”.

This was a lesson I didn’t really want but certainly needed in celebrating every metre— NOT just the final ones— and climbing like I care about (staying alive for) the next summit.

So cheers from climbing & not summiting Fuji, because that’s ok to celebrate too 🍻
  • NARA, JAPAN 🦌🌸

The first permanent capital of Japan in the 8th century, Nara is packed with ancient temples, mossy lanterns, and wide-open parks full of sacred deer, who are believed to be messengers of the gods!

Of course we’d seen seen videos of bowing deer on Instagram before visiting, but we spent 2 days in Nara and fell in love with so many parts of this charming little city (and yes, ALSO fell in love with the deer, who were even CUTER in person!!)

DIY walking tour highlights:
- Kofuku-ji Temple: 5-story pagoda & Buddhist temple from 730AD (rebuilt in 1426)
- Nara Park: the main deer zone 🦌 (look for shikadamari, deer clusters relaxing in the grass + buy bags of deer feed for a few hundred ¥!)
- Kasuga Taisha: 8th century Shinto shrine draped in wisteria & stone lanterns
- Todai-ji: home to the Great Buddha (16m tall, 437 tonnes of bronze!)
- Daibutsu-den Hall: built without nails, once the largest wooden structure on Earth
- Nandaimon Gate: Japan’s largest temple gate
- Yoshiki-en Garden: peaceful, perfect for shinrin-yoku (forest bathing)
- Nakatanidou: famous red-bean mochi, must try!
  • Tokyo is the largest city in the world and it is many, MANY things all at once— steeped in history, dominated by incredible cuisine, bursting with alt-culture… an electric mosaic of tradition, innovation, and chaos.

2 weeks was hardly enough time to scrape the surface of the city (and 20 photos was not even close to enough for this round-up!!!), but we will 100% be back for more Tokyo magic in the future!

In the meantime, here are some of my absolute favourite things to do in Tokyo 😍🌸🍜
  • FUJI FIVE LAKES 🌋🌸🎌

Just north of Mt Fuji & a few hours from Tokyo, this scenic region is made up of five volcanic lakes formed by ancient eruptions— Kawaguchi, Saiko, Yamanaka, Shoji & Motosu— all offering incredible vantage points of Japan’s most iconic mountain. Here’s how to explore ↯

GETTING HERE
Train 2hrs from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko (direct train every 30min; 2200¥ = $15)

GETTING AROUND
The Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Bus is a super easy hop-on-hop-off service that loops around Mt Fuji’s northern lakes and major sights (departing Kawaguchiko Station). Start with the Red Line and if you’ve got more time, transfer to the Green or Blue Lines for Lake Saiko and Lake Shoji (¥1,800 for 1-day pass = $12)

WHAT TO SEE
- Mt. Fuji Panorama Ropeway (900¥)
- Tenjosan Komitake Shrine
- Lake Shoji (quiet views along the lake shore)
- Lake Kawaguchi Excursion Boat (1000¥)
- Hannoki Bayashi Shiryokan (traditional village & open-air museum)
- Kawaguchiko Train Station & Lawson (excellent views)
- hike/climb Mt Fuji, depending on the season!!

HOW MANY DAYS?
I spent 5 days in Fuji Five Lakes region (including a winter ascent of Mt Fuji ❄️), but most people will find 2–3 days plenty for sightseeing.

WHERE TO STAY
Kagelow Mt. Fuji Hostel was one of my favourite stays in Japan, with budget-friendly private pods or rooms, plus an awesome on-site restaurant, all an easy walk to the train station
  • QUICK GUIDE TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN TOKYO 🚆 

📲 the easiest way to tap on & off the metro in Tokyo is with a virtual SUICA transit card on Apple/Google Pay
—> go to the Wallet app
—> tap the + icon and select Transit Card
—> search for SUICA
—> add 1,000¥ to start (foreign VISA doesn’t work for some people, so use MasterCard or AMEX to add value to card)

💴 most inner-city trips cost 150-250¥ ($1-2)
—> with Suica loaded on Apple Pay, you’ll see the exact cost of your journey as soon as you tap off

🗺️ Google Maps is the absolute easiest way to navigate public transport in Tokyo. Some of the handy information provided:
—> entrance & exit directions— some of these stations are like small cities! Google Maps will tell you “enter at B15” or “exit 8” & these are always well signed around the station. 
—> which line you’re taking (ex. Maranuchi Line)— look for corresponding signs in the station
—> platform 
—> which train car to board for fastest exit
—> cost
  • tokyo on film ✌🏼

I almost always shoot mountain landscapes, so it was super fun taking my camera around the city (and editing with a film sim) to capture what it FEELS like to be in Tokyo.

📸 which is your favourite?? mine might be the 4th… but so hard to choose!
  • I don’t think I’ve ever arrived anywhere with higher expectations than I did Japan. 

For years, people have been appalled that I hadn’t been to Japan— a favourite country for just about everyone and therefore a glaring hole in my travel resume.

I’ve found myself gravitating more and more towards Latin America over the years, pulled to Europe for the climbing and occasionally to Africa for a bit of variety, but it’d been nearly a decade since I spent time in Asia. 

Even so, I’m not sure Japan can really be compared to these other places— the chaos of motorbiking through southern Vietnam, the wild jungle of barely inhabited Thai islands, the smoky shores of the Mekong River as it winds through Laos, the experience of train travel through China that I still don’t have an appropriate adjective for… Japan is a place entirely its own. 

And I finally understand why it has captivated the hearts of so many travellers.

Ok ok, I get it. Japan is mind-blowing, magical, incomparable, INCREDIBLE 🌸🇯🇵
  • I’ve been travelling the world full-time for nearly 5 years (with my fiancé for the last 2), and we explore 10-20 countries per year on an average budget of $80/day 💃🏻👏🏻✨

One of the ways we’ve found to maximise bucketlist travel on a budget is BALANCE— we can afford to stay in $3000/week Norwegian cabins because we also spend part of our year in AirBnbs that cost just $17 per night ($8.50 each)!!

** if you want to see a super-detailed breakdown of our spending as full-time travellers, check out the BUDGET highlight on my profile 💸
follow @brookebeyond_

travel beyond the ordinary

Explore my travel guides, custom itineraries & blog posts with an interactive world map ✨

all destinations

  • Takachiho Gorge, the most beautiful place in Japan 🇯🇵🌸✨

Cut by the bright turquoise Gokase River, this magical little gorge in central Kyushu is lined with towering basalt cliffs, their warped columns shaped by ancient lava flows from nearby Mt Aso, all leading towards the sparkling Minainotaki Waterfall. It’s one of those places that looks surreal in photos and somehow even better in person!

We stopped here on a 2-week Kyushu road trip and this spot completely blew us away— many people consider it the most beautiful place in Japan and I have to agree!!

Tips for visiting Takachiho Gorge:
- the site is open 8am-5pm
- entry is ¥1,000 per person + parking is available nearby
- reserve a row boat (30min) for ¥4,000 on weekdays or ¥5,000 on weeekends (boats do sell out!)
- the best light is after 10.30am, when sun hits the waterfall
- free paths run along both sides of the gorge, so you can enjoy great views even if you don’t hire a boat

Did you know Japan looked like this?! 🤩
  • More than 200,000 people climb Mt Fuji every year, but only a few dozen in the winter— it’s a notoriously dangerous ascent on steep snow and ice with insane winds, music to my ears. 

It was a gorgeous day, blue skies, not another climber on the mountain (except for me and my partner), and by all accounts it was PERFECT conditions for a Fuji summit. But then those infamous winds picked up… 🌬️

By the time we were 100m below the summit, gusts were up to 60km/hr and we dropped onto the snow every few minutes, axes dug in to brace against wild wind that threatened to rip us right off the mountain. Fuji is just a big sheet of ice at the top and the final part of the climb is a very exposed ridgeline where a slip would be fatal. We put up a good fight, but in the end, there was absolutely no way to continue safely. So we made the call to turn around.

And although this is far from the first mountain I’ve failed to summit, it was probably the most painful. 

Knowing when to turn back is one of the most important skills in climbing, but it’s still one I struggle with— the feeling of being SO close, of “failing” because you didn’t stand on the summit, is such a challenge for me because I’ve tied so much of my self-worth, particularly as a young female climber, to being strong enough/tough enough to *keep pushing*

But pushing through dangerous conditions isn’t really admirable, it’s just stupid…

And when you’re so fixated on the end goal, it’s easy to feel like the effort & accomplishment of the other 2,500m don’t mean anything without the final 100m. 

But a climb is so much more than the summit. And our worth as climbers (or hikers or PEOPLE) cannot come only from the successes. It has to come from the genuine pursuit, too. From the moments we try our best and don’t quite make it. And certainly from the moments we are strong enough to accept “not this time, but hopefully sometime in the future”.

This was a lesson I didn’t really want but certainly needed in celebrating every metre— NOT just the final ones— and climbing like I care about (staying alive for) the next summit.

So cheers from climbing & not summiting Fuji, because that’s ok to celebrate too 🍻
  • NARA, JAPAN 🦌🌸

The first permanent capital of Japan in the 8th century, Nara is packed with ancient temples, mossy lanterns, and wide-open parks full of sacred deer, who are believed to be messengers of the gods!

Of course we’d seen seen videos of bowing deer on Instagram before visiting, but we spent 2 days in Nara and fell in love with so many parts of this charming little city (and yes, ALSO fell in love with the deer, who were even CUTER in person!!)

DIY walking tour highlights:
- Kofuku-ji Temple: 5-story pagoda & Buddhist temple from 730AD (rebuilt in 1426)
- Nara Park: the main deer zone 🦌 (look for shikadamari, deer clusters relaxing in the grass + buy bags of deer feed for a few hundred ¥!)
- Kasuga Taisha: 8th century Shinto shrine draped in wisteria & stone lanterns
- Todai-ji: home to the Great Buddha (16m tall, 437 tonnes of bronze!)
- Daibutsu-den Hall: built without nails, once the largest wooden structure on Earth
- Nandaimon Gate: Japan’s largest temple gate
- Yoshiki-en Garden: peaceful, perfect for shinrin-yoku (forest bathing)
- Nakatanidou: famous red-bean mochi, must try!
  • Tokyo is the largest city in the world and it is many, MANY things all at once— steeped in history, dominated by incredible cuisine, bursting with alt-culture… an electric mosaic of tradition, innovation, and chaos.

2 weeks was hardly enough time to scrape the surface of the city (and 20 photos was not even close to enough for this round-up!!!), but we will 100% be back for more Tokyo magic in the future!

In the meantime, here are some of my absolute favourite things to do in Tokyo 😍🌸🍜
  • FUJI FIVE LAKES 🌋🌸🎌

Just north of Mt Fuji & a few hours from Tokyo, this scenic region is made up of five volcanic lakes formed by ancient eruptions— Kawaguchi, Saiko, Yamanaka, Shoji & Motosu— all offering incredible vantage points of Japan’s most iconic mountain. Here’s how to explore ↯

GETTING HERE
Train 2hrs from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko (direct train every 30min; 2200¥ = $15)

GETTING AROUND
The Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Bus is a super easy hop-on-hop-off service that loops around Mt Fuji’s northern lakes and major sights (departing Kawaguchiko Station). Start with the Red Line and if you’ve got more time, transfer to the Green or Blue Lines for Lake Saiko and Lake Shoji (¥1,800 for 1-day pass = $12)

WHAT TO SEE
- Mt. Fuji Panorama Ropeway (900¥)
- Tenjosan Komitake Shrine
- Lake Shoji (quiet views along the lake shore)
- Lake Kawaguchi Excursion Boat (1000¥)
- Hannoki Bayashi Shiryokan (traditional village & open-air museum)
- Kawaguchiko Train Station & Lawson (excellent views)
- hike/climb Mt Fuji, depending on the season!!

HOW MANY DAYS?
I spent 5 days in Fuji Five Lakes region (including a winter ascent of Mt Fuji ❄️), but most people will find 2–3 days plenty for sightseeing.

WHERE TO STAY
Kagelow Mt. Fuji Hostel was one of my favourite stays in Japan, with budget-friendly private pods or rooms, plus an awesome on-site restaurant, all an easy walk to the train station
Takachiho Gorge, the most beautiful place in Japan 🇯🇵🌸✨

Cut by the bright turquoise Gokase River, this magical little gorge in central Kyushu is lined with towering basalt cliffs, their warped columns shaped by ancient lava flows from nearby Mt Aso, all leading towards the sparkling Minainotaki Waterfall. It’s one of those places that looks surreal in photos and somehow even better in person!

We stopped here on a 2-week Kyushu road trip and this spot completely blew us away— many people consider it the most beautiful place in Japan and I have to agree!!

Tips for visiting Takachiho Gorge:
- the site is open 8am-5pm
- entry is ¥1,000 per person + parking is available nearby
- reserve a row boat (30min) for ¥4,000 on weekdays or ¥5,000 on weeekends (boats do sell out!)
- the best light is after 10.30am, when sun hits the waterfall
- free paths run along both sides of the gorge, so you can enjoy great views even if you don’t hire a boat

Did you know Japan looked like this?! 🤩
Takachiho Gorge, the most beautiful place in Japan 🇯🇵🌸✨

Cut by the bright turquoise Gokase River, this magical little gorge in central Kyushu is lined with towering basalt cliffs, their warped columns shaped by ancient lava flows from nearby Mt Aso, all leading towards the sparkling Minainotaki Waterfall. It’s one of those places that looks surreal in photos and somehow even better in person!

We stopped here on a 2-week Kyushu road trip and this spot completely blew us away— many people consider it the most beautiful place in Japan and I have to agree!!

Tips for visiting Takachiho Gorge:
- the site is open 8am-5pm
- entry is ¥1,000 per person + parking is available nearby
- reserve a row boat (30min) for ¥4,000 on weekdays or ¥5,000 on weeekends (boats do sell out!)
- the best light is after 10.30am, when sun hits the waterfall
- free paths run along both sides of the gorge, so you can enjoy great views even if you don’t hire a boat

Did you know Japan looked like this?! 🤩
Takachiho Gorge, the most beautiful place in Japan 🇯🇵🌸✨

Cut by the bright turquoise Gokase River, this magical little gorge in central Kyushu is lined with towering basalt cliffs, their warped columns shaped by ancient lava flows from nearby Mt Aso, all leading towards the sparkling Minainotaki Waterfall. It’s one of those places that looks surreal in photos and somehow even better in person!

We stopped here on a 2-week Kyushu road trip and this spot completely blew us away— many people consider it the most beautiful place in Japan and I have to agree!!

Tips for visiting Takachiho Gorge:
- the site is open 8am-5pm
- entry is ¥1,000 per person + parking is available nearby
- reserve a row boat (30min) for ¥4,000 on weekdays or ¥5,000 on weeekends (boats do sell out!)
- the best light is after 10.30am, when sun hits the waterfall
- free paths run along both sides of the gorge, so you can enjoy great views even if you don’t hire a boat

Did you know Japan looked like this?! 🤩
Takachiho Gorge, the most beautiful place in Japan 🇯🇵🌸✨

Cut by the bright turquoise Gokase River, this magical little gorge in central Kyushu is lined with towering basalt cliffs, their warped columns shaped by ancient lava flows from nearby Mt Aso, all leading towards the sparkling Minainotaki Waterfall. It’s one of those places that looks surreal in photos and somehow even better in person!

We stopped here on a 2-week Kyushu road trip and this spot completely blew us away— many people consider it the most beautiful place in Japan and I have to agree!!

Tips for visiting Takachiho Gorge:
- the site is open 8am-5pm
- entry is ¥1,000 per person + parking is available nearby
- reserve a row boat (30min) for ¥4,000 on weekdays or ¥5,000 on weeekends (boats do sell out!)
- the best light is after 10.30am, when sun hits the waterfall
- free paths run along both sides of the gorge, so you can enjoy great views even if you don’t hire a boat

Did you know Japan looked like this?! 🤩
Takachiho Gorge, the most beautiful place in Japan 🇯🇵🌸✨

Cut by the bright turquoise Gokase River, this magical little gorge in central Kyushu is lined with towering basalt cliffs, their warped columns shaped by ancient lava flows from nearby Mt Aso, all leading towards the sparkling Minainotaki Waterfall. It’s one of those places that looks surreal in photos and somehow even better in person!

We stopped here on a 2-week Kyushu road trip and this spot completely blew us away— many people consider it the most beautiful place in Japan and I have to agree!!

Tips for visiting Takachiho Gorge:
- the site is open 8am-5pm
- entry is ¥1,000 per person + parking is available nearby
- reserve a row boat (30min) for ¥4,000 on weekdays or ¥5,000 on weeekends (boats do sell out!)
- the best light is after 10.30am, when sun hits the waterfall
- free paths run along both sides of the gorge, so you can enjoy great views even if you don’t hire a boat

Did you know Japan looked like this?! 🤩
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
Follow
Takachiho Gorge, the most beautiful place in Japan 🇯🇵🌸✨ Cut by the bright turquoise Gokase River, this magical little gorge in central Kyushu is lined with towering basalt cliffs, their warped columns shaped by ancient lava flows from nearby Mt Aso, all leading towards the sparkling Minainotaki Waterfall. It’s one of those places that looks surreal in photos and somehow even better in person! We stopped here on a 2-week Kyushu road trip and this spot completely blew us away— many people consider it the most beautiful place in Japan and I have to agree!! Tips for visiting Takachiho Gorge: - the site is open 8am-5pm - entry is ¥1,000 per person + parking is available nearby - reserve a row boat (30min) for ¥4,000 on weekdays or ¥5,000 on weeekends (boats do sell out!) - the best light is after 10.30am, when sun hits the waterfall - free paths run along both sides of the gorge, so you can enjoy great views even if you don’t hire a boat Did you know Japan looked like this?! 🤩
17 hours ago
View on Instagram |
1/5
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
Follow
More than 200,000 people climb Mt Fuji every year, but only a few dozen in the winter— it’s a notoriously dangerous ascent on steep snow and ice with insane winds, music to my ears. It was a gorgeous day, blue skies, not another climber on the mountain (except for me and my partner), and by all accounts it was PERFECT conditions for a Fuji summit. But then those infamous winds picked up… 🌬️ By the time we were 100m below the summit, gusts were up to 60km/hr and we dropped onto the snow every few minutes, axes dug in to brace against wild wind that threatened to rip us right off the mountain. Fuji is just a big sheet of ice at the top and the final part of the climb is a very exposed ridgeline where a slip would be fatal. We put up a good fight, but in the end, there was absolutely no way to continue safely. So we made the call to turn around. And although this is far from the first mountain I’ve failed to summit, it was probably the most painful. Knowing when to turn back is one of the most important skills in climbing, but it’s still one I struggle with— the feeling of being SO close, of “failing” because you didn’t stand on the summit, is such a challenge for me because I’ve tied so much of my self-worth, particularly as a young female climber, to being strong enough/tough enough to *keep pushing* But pushing through dangerous conditions isn’t really admirable, it’s just stupid… And when you’re so fixated on the end goal, it’s easy to feel like the effort & accomplishment of the other 2,500m don’t mean anything without the final 100m. But a climb is so much more than the summit. And our worth as climbers (or hikers or PEOPLE) cannot come only from the successes. It has to come from the genuine pursuit, too. From the moments we try our best and don’t quite make it. And certainly from the moments we are strong enough to accept “not this time, but hopefully sometime in the future”. This was a lesson I didn’t really want but certainly needed in celebrating every metre— NOT just the final ones— and climbing like I care about (staying alive for) the next summit. So cheers from climbing & not summiting Fuji, because that’s ok to celebrate too 🍻
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/5
NARA, JAPAN 🦌🌸

The first permanent capital of Japan in the 8th century, Nara is packed with ancient temples, mossy lanterns, and wide-open parks full of sacred deer, who are believed to be messengers of the gods!

Of course we’d seen seen videos of bowing deer on Instagram before visiting, but we spent 2 days in Nara and fell in love with so many parts of this charming little city (and yes, ALSO fell in love with the deer, who were even CUTER in person!!)

DIY walking tour highlights:
- Kofuku-ji Temple: 5-story pagoda & Buddhist temple from 730AD (rebuilt in 1426)
- Nara Park: the main deer zone 🦌 (look for shikadamari, deer clusters relaxing in the grass + buy bags of deer feed for a few hundred ¥!)
- Kasuga Taisha: 8th century Shinto shrine draped in wisteria & stone lanterns
- Todai-ji: home to the Great Buddha (16m tall, 437 tonnes of bronze!)
- Daibutsu-den Hall: built without nails, once the largest wooden structure on Earth
- Nandaimon Gate: Japan’s largest temple gate
- Yoshiki-en Garden: peaceful, perfect for shinrin-yoku (forest bathing)
- Nakatanidou: famous red-bean mochi, must try!
NARA, JAPAN 🦌🌸

The first permanent capital of Japan in the 8th century, Nara is packed with ancient temples, mossy lanterns, and wide-open parks full of sacred deer, who are believed to be messengers of the gods!

Of course we’d seen seen videos of bowing deer on Instagram before visiting, but we spent 2 days in Nara and fell in love with so many parts of this charming little city (and yes, ALSO fell in love with the deer, who were even CUTER in person!!)

DIY walking tour highlights:
- Kofuku-ji Temple: 5-story pagoda & Buddhist temple from 730AD (rebuilt in 1426)
- Nara Park: the main deer zone 🦌 (look for shikadamari, deer clusters relaxing in the grass + buy bags of deer feed for a few hundred ¥!)
- Kasuga Taisha: 8th century Shinto shrine draped in wisteria & stone lanterns
- Todai-ji: home to the Great Buddha (16m tall, 437 tonnes of bronze!)
- Daibutsu-den Hall: built without nails, once the largest wooden structure on Earth
- Nandaimon Gate: Japan’s largest temple gate
- Yoshiki-en Garden: peaceful, perfect for shinrin-yoku (forest bathing)
- Nakatanidou: famous red-bean mochi, must try!
NARA, JAPAN 🦌🌸

The first permanent capital of Japan in the 8th century, Nara is packed with ancient temples, mossy lanterns, and wide-open parks full of sacred deer, who are believed to be messengers of the gods!

Of course we’d seen seen videos of bowing deer on Instagram before visiting, but we spent 2 days in Nara and fell in love with so many parts of this charming little city (and yes, ALSO fell in love with the deer, who were even CUTER in person!!)

DIY walking tour highlights:
- Kofuku-ji Temple: 5-story pagoda & Buddhist temple from 730AD (rebuilt in 1426)
- Nara Park: the main deer zone 🦌 (look for shikadamari, deer clusters relaxing in the grass + buy bags of deer feed for a few hundred ¥!)
- Kasuga Taisha: 8th century Shinto shrine draped in wisteria & stone lanterns
- Todai-ji: home to the Great Buddha (16m tall, 437 tonnes of bronze!)
- Daibutsu-den Hall: built without nails, once the largest wooden structure on Earth
- Nandaimon Gate: Japan’s largest temple gate
- Yoshiki-en Garden: peaceful, perfect for shinrin-yoku (forest bathing)
- Nakatanidou: famous red-bean mochi, must try!
NARA, JAPAN 🦌🌸

The first permanent capital of Japan in the 8th century, Nara is packed with ancient temples, mossy lanterns, and wide-open parks full of sacred deer, who are believed to be messengers of the gods!

Of course we’d seen seen videos of bowing deer on Instagram before visiting, but we spent 2 days in Nara and fell in love with so many parts of this charming little city (and yes, ALSO fell in love with the deer, who were even CUTER in person!!)

DIY walking tour highlights:
- Kofuku-ji Temple: 5-story pagoda & Buddhist temple from 730AD (rebuilt in 1426)
- Nara Park: the main deer zone 🦌 (look for shikadamari, deer clusters relaxing in the grass + buy bags of deer feed for a few hundred ¥!)
- Kasuga Taisha: 8th century Shinto shrine draped in wisteria & stone lanterns
- Todai-ji: home to the Great Buddha (16m tall, 437 tonnes of bronze!)
- Daibutsu-den Hall: built without nails, once the largest wooden structure on Earth
- Nandaimon Gate: Japan’s largest temple gate
- Yoshiki-en Garden: peaceful, perfect for shinrin-yoku (forest bathing)
- Nakatanidou: famous red-bean mochi, must try!
NARA, JAPAN 🦌🌸

The first permanent capital of Japan in the 8th century, Nara is packed with ancient temples, mossy lanterns, and wide-open parks full of sacred deer, who are believed to be messengers of the gods!

Of course we’d seen seen videos of bowing deer on Instagram before visiting, but we spent 2 days in Nara and fell in love with so many parts of this charming little city (and yes, ALSO fell in love with the deer, who were even CUTER in person!!)

DIY walking tour highlights:
- Kofuku-ji Temple: 5-story pagoda & Buddhist temple from 730AD (rebuilt in 1426)
- Nara Park: the main deer zone 🦌 (look for shikadamari, deer clusters relaxing in the grass + buy bags of deer feed for a few hundred ¥!)
- Kasuga Taisha: 8th century Shinto shrine draped in wisteria & stone lanterns
- Todai-ji: home to the Great Buddha (16m tall, 437 tonnes of bronze!)
- Daibutsu-den Hall: built without nails, once the largest wooden structure on Earth
- Nandaimon Gate: Japan’s largest temple gate
- Yoshiki-en Garden: peaceful, perfect for shinrin-yoku (forest bathing)
- Nakatanidou: famous red-bean mochi, must try!
NARA, JAPAN 🦌🌸

The first permanent capital of Japan in the 8th century, Nara is packed with ancient temples, mossy lanterns, and wide-open parks full of sacred deer, who are believed to be messengers of the gods!

Of course we’d seen seen videos of bowing deer on Instagram before visiting, but we spent 2 days in Nara and fell in love with so many parts of this charming little city (and yes, ALSO fell in love with the deer, who were even CUTER in person!!)

DIY walking tour highlights:
- Kofuku-ji Temple: 5-story pagoda & Buddhist temple from 730AD (rebuilt in 1426)
- Nara Park: the main deer zone 🦌 (look for shikadamari, deer clusters relaxing in the grass + buy bags of deer feed for a few hundred ¥!)
- Kasuga Taisha: 8th century Shinto shrine draped in wisteria & stone lanterns
- Todai-ji: home to the Great Buddha (16m tall, 437 tonnes of bronze!)
- Daibutsu-den Hall: built without nails, once the largest wooden structure on Earth
- Nandaimon Gate: Japan’s largest temple gate
- Yoshiki-en Garden: peaceful, perfect for shinrin-yoku (forest bathing)
- Nakatanidou: famous red-bean mochi, must try!
NARA, JAPAN 🦌🌸

The first permanent capital of Japan in the 8th century, Nara is packed with ancient temples, mossy lanterns, and wide-open parks full of sacred deer, who are believed to be messengers of the gods!

Of course we’d seen seen videos of bowing deer on Instagram before visiting, but we spent 2 days in Nara and fell in love with so many parts of this charming little city (and yes, ALSO fell in love with the deer, who were even CUTER in person!!)

DIY walking tour highlights:
- Kofuku-ji Temple: 5-story pagoda & Buddhist temple from 730AD (rebuilt in 1426)
- Nara Park: the main deer zone 🦌 (look for shikadamari, deer clusters relaxing in the grass + buy bags of deer feed for a few hundred ¥!)
- Kasuga Taisha: 8th century Shinto shrine draped in wisteria & stone lanterns
- Todai-ji: home to the Great Buddha (16m tall, 437 tonnes of bronze!)
- Daibutsu-den Hall: built without nails, once the largest wooden structure on Earth
- Nandaimon Gate: Japan’s largest temple gate
- Yoshiki-en Garden: peaceful, perfect for shinrin-yoku (forest bathing)
- Nakatanidou: famous red-bean mochi, must try!
NARA, JAPAN 🦌🌸

The first permanent capital of Japan in the 8th century, Nara is packed with ancient temples, mossy lanterns, and wide-open parks full of sacred deer, who are believed to be messengers of the gods!

Of course we’d seen seen videos of bowing deer on Instagram before visiting, but we spent 2 days in Nara and fell in love with so many parts of this charming little city (and yes, ALSO fell in love with the deer, who were even CUTER in person!!)

DIY walking tour highlights:
- Kofuku-ji Temple: 5-story pagoda & Buddhist temple from 730AD (rebuilt in 1426)
- Nara Park: the main deer zone 🦌 (look for shikadamari, deer clusters relaxing in the grass + buy bags of deer feed for a few hundred ¥!)
- Kasuga Taisha: 8th century Shinto shrine draped in wisteria & stone lanterns
- Todai-ji: home to the Great Buddha (16m tall, 437 tonnes of bronze!)
- Daibutsu-den Hall: built without nails, once the largest wooden structure on Earth
- Nandaimon Gate: Japan’s largest temple gate
- Yoshiki-en Garden: peaceful, perfect for shinrin-yoku (forest bathing)
- Nakatanidou: famous red-bean mochi, must try!
NARA, JAPAN 🦌🌸

The first permanent capital of Japan in the 8th century, Nara is packed with ancient temples, mossy lanterns, and wide-open parks full of sacred deer, who are believed to be messengers of the gods!

Of course we’d seen seen videos of bowing deer on Instagram before visiting, but we spent 2 days in Nara and fell in love with so many parts of this charming little city (and yes, ALSO fell in love with the deer, who were even CUTER in person!!)

DIY walking tour highlights:
- Kofuku-ji Temple: 5-story pagoda & Buddhist temple from 730AD (rebuilt in 1426)
- Nara Park: the main deer zone 🦌 (look for shikadamari, deer clusters relaxing in the grass + buy bags of deer feed for a few hundred ¥!)
- Kasuga Taisha: 8th century Shinto shrine draped in wisteria & stone lanterns
- Todai-ji: home to the Great Buddha (16m tall, 437 tonnes of bronze!)
- Daibutsu-den Hall: built without nails, once the largest wooden structure on Earth
- Nandaimon Gate: Japan’s largest temple gate
- Yoshiki-en Garden: peaceful, perfect for shinrin-yoku (forest bathing)
- Nakatanidou: famous red-bean mochi, must try!
NARA, JAPAN 🦌🌸

The first permanent capital of Japan in the 8th century, Nara is packed with ancient temples, mossy lanterns, and wide-open parks full of sacred deer, who are believed to be messengers of the gods!

Of course we’d seen seen videos of bowing deer on Instagram before visiting, but we spent 2 days in Nara and fell in love with so many parts of this charming little city (and yes, ALSO fell in love with the deer, who were even CUTER in person!!)

DIY walking tour highlights:
- Kofuku-ji Temple: 5-story pagoda & Buddhist temple from 730AD (rebuilt in 1426)
- Nara Park: the main deer zone 🦌 (look for shikadamari, deer clusters relaxing in the grass + buy bags of deer feed for a few hundred ¥!)
- Kasuga Taisha: 8th century Shinto shrine draped in wisteria & stone lanterns
- Todai-ji: home to the Great Buddha (16m tall, 437 tonnes of bronze!)
- Daibutsu-den Hall: built without nails, once the largest wooden structure on Earth
- Nandaimon Gate: Japan’s largest temple gate
- Yoshiki-en Garden: peaceful, perfect for shinrin-yoku (forest bathing)
- Nakatanidou: famous red-bean mochi, must try!
NARA, JAPAN 🦌🌸

The first permanent capital of Japan in the 8th century, Nara is packed with ancient temples, mossy lanterns, and wide-open parks full of sacred deer, who are believed to be messengers of the gods!

Of course we’d seen seen videos of bowing deer on Instagram before visiting, but we spent 2 days in Nara and fell in love with so many parts of this charming little city (and yes, ALSO fell in love with the deer, who were even CUTER in person!!)

DIY walking tour highlights:
- Kofuku-ji Temple: 5-story pagoda & Buddhist temple from 730AD (rebuilt in 1426)
- Nara Park: the main deer zone 🦌 (look for shikadamari, deer clusters relaxing in the grass + buy bags of deer feed for a few hundred ¥!)
- Kasuga Taisha: 8th century Shinto shrine draped in wisteria & stone lanterns
- Todai-ji: home to the Great Buddha (16m tall, 437 tonnes of bronze!)
- Daibutsu-den Hall: built without nails, once the largest wooden structure on Earth
- Nandaimon Gate: Japan’s largest temple gate
- Yoshiki-en Garden: peaceful, perfect for shinrin-yoku (forest bathing)
- Nakatanidou: famous red-bean mochi, must try!
NARA, JAPAN 🦌🌸

The first permanent capital of Japan in the 8th century, Nara is packed with ancient temples, mossy lanterns, and wide-open parks full of sacred deer, who are believed to be messengers of the gods!

Of course we’d seen seen videos of bowing deer on Instagram before visiting, but we spent 2 days in Nara and fell in love with so many parts of this charming little city (and yes, ALSO fell in love with the deer, who were even CUTER in person!!)

DIY walking tour highlights:
- Kofuku-ji Temple: 5-story pagoda & Buddhist temple from 730AD (rebuilt in 1426)
- Nara Park: the main deer zone 🦌 (look for shikadamari, deer clusters relaxing in the grass + buy bags of deer feed for a few hundred ¥!)
- Kasuga Taisha: 8th century Shinto shrine draped in wisteria & stone lanterns
- Todai-ji: home to the Great Buddha (16m tall, 437 tonnes of bronze!)
- Daibutsu-den Hall: built without nails, once the largest wooden structure on Earth
- Nandaimon Gate: Japan’s largest temple gate
- Yoshiki-en Garden: peaceful, perfect for shinrin-yoku (forest bathing)
- Nakatanidou: famous red-bean mochi, must try!
NARA, JAPAN 🦌🌸

The first permanent capital of Japan in the 8th century, Nara is packed with ancient temples, mossy lanterns, and wide-open parks full of sacred deer, who are believed to be messengers of the gods!

Of course we’d seen seen videos of bowing deer on Instagram before visiting, but we spent 2 days in Nara and fell in love with so many parts of this charming little city (and yes, ALSO fell in love with the deer, who were even CUTER in person!!)

DIY walking tour highlights:
- Kofuku-ji Temple: 5-story pagoda & Buddhist temple from 730AD (rebuilt in 1426)
- Nara Park: the main deer zone 🦌 (look for shikadamari, deer clusters relaxing in the grass + buy bags of deer feed for a few hundred ¥!)
- Kasuga Taisha: 8th century Shinto shrine draped in wisteria & stone lanterns
- Todai-ji: home to the Great Buddha (16m tall, 437 tonnes of bronze!)
- Daibutsu-den Hall: built without nails, once the largest wooden structure on Earth
- Nandaimon Gate: Japan’s largest temple gate
- Yoshiki-en Garden: peaceful, perfect for shinrin-yoku (forest bathing)
- Nakatanidou: famous red-bean mochi, must try!
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
Follow
NARA, JAPAN 🦌🌸 The first permanent capital of Japan in the 8th century, Nara is packed with ancient temples, mossy lanterns, and wide-open parks full of sacred deer, who are believed to be messengers of the gods! Of course we’d seen seen videos of bowing deer on Instagram before visiting, but we spent 2 days in Nara and fell in love with so many parts of this charming little city (and yes, ALSO fell in love with the deer, who were even CUTER in person!!) DIY walking tour highlights: - Kofuku-ji Temple: 5-story pagoda & Buddhist temple from 730AD (rebuilt in 1426) - Nara Park: the main deer zone 🦌 (look for shikadamari, deer clusters relaxing in the grass + buy bags of deer feed for a few hundred ¥!) - Kasuga Taisha: 8th century Shinto shrine draped in wisteria & stone lanterns - Todai-ji: home to the Great Buddha (16m tall, 437 tonnes of bronze!) - Daibutsu-den Hall: built without nails, once the largest wooden structure on Earth - Nandaimon Gate: Japan’s largest temple gate - Yoshiki-en Garden: peaceful, perfect for shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) - Nakatanidou: famous red-bean mochi, must try!
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/5
Tokyo is the largest city in the world and it is many, MANY things all at once— steeped in history, dominated by incredible cuisine, bursting with alt-culture… an electric mosaic of tradition, innovation, and chaos.

2 weeks was hardly enough time to scrape the surface of the city (and 20 photos was not even close to enough for this round-up!!!), but we will 100% be back for more Tokyo magic in the future!

In the meantime, here are some of my absolute favourite things to do in Tokyo 😍🌸🍜
Tokyo is the largest city in the world and it is many, MANY things all at once— steeped in history, dominated by incredible cuisine, bursting with alt-culture… an electric mosaic of tradition, innovation, and chaos.

2 weeks was hardly enough time to scrape the surface of the city (and 20 photos was not even close to enough for this round-up!!!), but we will 100% be back for more Tokyo magic in the future!

In the meantime, here are some of my absolute favourite things to do in Tokyo 😍🌸🍜
Tokyo is the largest city in the world and it is many, MANY things all at once— steeped in history, dominated by incredible cuisine, bursting with alt-culture… an electric mosaic of tradition, innovation, and chaos.

2 weeks was hardly enough time to scrape the surface of the city (and 20 photos was not even close to enough for this round-up!!!), but we will 100% be back for more Tokyo magic in the future!

In the meantime, here are some of my absolute favourite things to do in Tokyo 😍🌸🍜
Tokyo is the largest city in the world and it is many, MANY things all at once— steeped in history, dominated by incredible cuisine, bursting with alt-culture… an electric mosaic of tradition, innovation, and chaos.

2 weeks was hardly enough time to scrape the surface of the city (and 20 photos was not even close to enough for this round-up!!!), but we will 100% be back for more Tokyo magic in the future!

In the meantime, here are some of my absolute favourite things to do in Tokyo 😍🌸🍜
Tokyo is the largest city in the world and it is many, MANY things all at once— steeped in history, dominated by incredible cuisine, bursting with alt-culture… an electric mosaic of tradition, innovation, and chaos.

2 weeks was hardly enough time to scrape the surface of the city (and 20 photos was not even close to enough for this round-up!!!), but we will 100% be back for more Tokyo magic in the future!

In the meantime, here are some of my absolute favourite things to do in Tokyo 😍🌸🍜
Tokyo is the largest city in the world and it is many, MANY things all at once— steeped in history, dominated by incredible cuisine, bursting with alt-culture… an electric mosaic of tradition, innovation, and chaos.

2 weeks was hardly enough time to scrape the surface of the city (and 20 photos was not even close to enough for this round-up!!!), but we will 100% be back for more Tokyo magic in the future!

In the meantime, here are some of my absolute favourite things to do in Tokyo 😍🌸🍜
Tokyo is the largest city in the world and it is many, MANY things all at once— steeped in history, dominated by incredible cuisine, bursting with alt-culture… an electric mosaic of tradition, innovation, and chaos.

2 weeks was hardly enough time to scrape the surface of the city (and 20 photos was not even close to enough for this round-up!!!), but we will 100% be back for more Tokyo magic in the future!

In the meantime, here are some of my absolute favourite things to do in Tokyo 😍🌸🍜
Tokyo is the largest city in the world and it is many, MANY things all at once— steeped in history, dominated by incredible cuisine, bursting with alt-culture… an electric mosaic of tradition, innovation, and chaos.

2 weeks was hardly enough time to scrape the surface of the city (and 20 photos was not even close to enough for this round-up!!!), but we will 100% be back for more Tokyo magic in the future!

In the meantime, here are some of my absolute favourite things to do in Tokyo 😍🌸🍜
Tokyo is the largest city in the world and it is many, MANY things all at once— steeped in history, dominated by incredible cuisine, bursting with alt-culture… an electric mosaic of tradition, innovation, and chaos.

2 weeks was hardly enough time to scrape the surface of the city (and 20 photos was not even close to enough for this round-up!!!), but we will 100% be back for more Tokyo magic in the future!

In the meantime, here are some of my absolute favourite things to do in Tokyo 😍🌸🍜
Tokyo is the largest city in the world and it is many, MANY things all at once— steeped in history, dominated by incredible cuisine, bursting with alt-culture… an electric mosaic of tradition, innovation, and chaos.

2 weeks was hardly enough time to scrape the surface of the city (and 20 photos was not even close to enough for this round-up!!!), but we will 100% be back for more Tokyo magic in the future!

In the meantime, here are some of my absolute favourite things to do in Tokyo 😍🌸🍜
Tokyo is the largest city in the world and it is many, MANY things all at once— steeped in history, dominated by incredible cuisine, bursting with alt-culture… an electric mosaic of tradition, innovation, and chaos.

2 weeks was hardly enough time to scrape the surface of the city (and 20 photos was not even close to enough for this round-up!!!), but we will 100% be back for more Tokyo magic in the future!

In the meantime, here are some of my absolute favourite things to do in Tokyo 😍🌸🍜
Tokyo is the largest city in the world and it is many, MANY things all at once— steeped in history, dominated by incredible cuisine, bursting with alt-culture… an electric mosaic of tradition, innovation, and chaos.

2 weeks was hardly enough time to scrape the surface of the city (and 20 photos was not even close to enough for this round-up!!!), but we will 100% be back for more Tokyo magic in the future!

In the meantime, here are some of my absolute favourite things to do in Tokyo 😍🌸🍜
Tokyo is the largest city in the world and it is many, MANY things all at once— steeped in history, dominated by incredible cuisine, bursting with alt-culture… an electric mosaic of tradition, innovation, and chaos.

2 weeks was hardly enough time to scrape the surface of the city (and 20 photos was not even close to enough for this round-up!!!), but we will 100% be back for more Tokyo magic in the future!

In the meantime, here are some of my absolute favourite things to do in Tokyo 😍🌸🍜
Tokyo is the largest city in the world and it is many, MANY things all at once— steeped in history, dominated by incredible cuisine, bursting with alt-culture… an electric mosaic of tradition, innovation, and chaos.

2 weeks was hardly enough time to scrape the surface of the city (and 20 photos was not even close to enough for this round-up!!!), but we will 100% be back for more Tokyo magic in the future!

In the meantime, here are some of my absolute favourite things to do in Tokyo 😍🌸🍜
Tokyo is the largest city in the world and it is many, MANY things all at once— steeped in history, dominated by incredible cuisine, bursting with alt-culture… an electric mosaic of tradition, innovation, and chaos.

2 weeks was hardly enough time to scrape the surface of the city (and 20 photos was not even close to enough for this round-up!!!), but we will 100% be back for more Tokyo magic in the future!

In the meantime, here are some of my absolute favourite things to do in Tokyo 😍🌸🍜
Tokyo is the largest city in the world and it is many, MANY things all at once— steeped in history, dominated by incredible cuisine, bursting with alt-culture… an electric mosaic of tradition, innovation, and chaos.

2 weeks was hardly enough time to scrape the surface of the city (and 20 photos was not even close to enough for this round-up!!!), but we will 100% be back for more Tokyo magic in the future!

In the meantime, here are some of my absolute favourite things to do in Tokyo 😍🌸🍜
Tokyo is the largest city in the world and it is many, MANY things all at once— steeped in history, dominated by incredible cuisine, bursting with alt-culture… an electric mosaic of tradition, innovation, and chaos.

2 weeks was hardly enough time to scrape the surface of the city (and 20 photos was not even close to enough for this round-up!!!), but we will 100% be back for more Tokyo magic in the future!

In the meantime, here are some of my absolute favourite things to do in Tokyo 😍🌸🍜
Tokyo is the largest city in the world and it is many, MANY things all at once— steeped in history, dominated by incredible cuisine, bursting with alt-culture… an electric mosaic of tradition, innovation, and chaos.

2 weeks was hardly enough time to scrape the surface of the city (and 20 photos was not even close to enough for this round-up!!!), but we will 100% be back for more Tokyo magic in the future!

In the meantime, here are some of my absolute favourite things to do in Tokyo 😍🌸🍜
Tokyo is the largest city in the world and it is many, MANY things all at once— steeped in history, dominated by incredible cuisine, bursting with alt-culture… an electric mosaic of tradition, innovation, and chaos.

2 weeks was hardly enough time to scrape the surface of the city (and 20 photos was not even close to enough for this round-up!!!), but we will 100% be back for more Tokyo magic in the future!

In the meantime, here are some of my absolute favourite things to do in Tokyo 😍🌸🍜
Tokyo is the largest city in the world and it is many, MANY things all at once— steeped in history, dominated by incredible cuisine, bursting with alt-culture… an electric mosaic of tradition, innovation, and chaos.

2 weeks was hardly enough time to scrape the surface of the city (and 20 photos was not even close to enough for this round-up!!!), but we will 100% be back for more Tokyo magic in the future!

In the meantime, here are some of my absolute favourite things to do in Tokyo 😍🌸🍜
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
Follow
Tokyo is the largest city in the world and it is many, MANY things all at once— steeped in history, dominated by incredible cuisine, bursting with alt-culture… an electric mosaic of tradition, innovation, and chaos. 2 weeks was hardly enough time to scrape the surface of the city (and 20 photos was not even close to enough for this round-up!!!), but we will 100% be back for more Tokyo magic in the future! In the meantime, here are some of my absolute favourite things to do in Tokyo 😍🌸🍜
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/5
FUJI FIVE LAKES 🌋🌸🎌

Just north of Mt Fuji & a few hours from Tokyo, this scenic region is made up of five volcanic lakes formed by ancient eruptions— Kawaguchi, Saiko, Yamanaka, Shoji & Motosu— all offering incredible vantage points of Japan’s most iconic mountain. Here’s how to explore ↯

GETTING HERE
Train 2hrs from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko (direct train every 30min; 2200¥ = $15)

GETTING AROUND
The Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Bus is a super easy hop-on-hop-off service that loops around Mt Fuji’s northern lakes and major sights (departing Kawaguchiko Station). Start with the Red Line and if you’ve got more time, transfer to the Green or Blue Lines for Lake Saiko and Lake Shoji (¥1,800 for 1-day pass = $12)

WHAT TO SEE
- Mt. Fuji Panorama Ropeway (900¥)
- Tenjosan Komitake Shrine
- Lake Shoji (quiet views along the lake shore)
- Lake Kawaguchi Excursion Boat (1000¥)
- Hannoki Bayashi Shiryokan (traditional village & open-air museum)
- Kawaguchiko Train Station & Lawson (excellent views)
- hike/climb Mt Fuji, depending on the season!!

HOW MANY DAYS?
I spent 5 days in Fuji Five Lakes region (including a winter ascent of Mt Fuji ❄️), but most people will find 2–3 days plenty for sightseeing.

WHERE TO STAY
Kagelow Mt. Fuji Hostel was one of my favourite stays in Japan, with budget-friendly private pods or rooms, plus an awesome on-site restaurant, all an easy walk to the train station
FUJI FIVE LAKES 🌋🌸🎌

Just north of Mt Fuji & a few hours from Tokyo, this scenic region is made up of five volcanic lakes formed by ancient eruptions— Kawaguchi, Saiko, Yamanaka, Shoji & Motosu— all offering incredible vantage points of Japan’s most iconic mountain. Here’s how to explore ↯

GETTING HERE
Train 2hrs from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko (direct train every 30min; 2200¥ = $15)

GETTING AROUND
The Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Bus is a super easy hop-on-hop-off service that loops around Mt Fuji’s northern lakes and major sights (departing Kawaguchiko Station). Start with the Red Line and if you’ve got more time, transfer to the Green or Blue Lines for Lake Saiko and Lake Shoji (¥1,800 for 1-day pass = $12)

WHAT TO SEE
- Mt. Fuji Panorama Ropeway (900¥)
- Tenjosan Komitake Shrine
- Lake Shoji (quiet views along the lake shore)
- Lake Kawaguchi Excursion Boat (1000¥)
- Hannoki Bayashi Shiryokan (traditional village & open-air museum)
- Kawaguchiko Train Station & Lawson (excellent views)
- hike/climb Mt Fuji, depending on the season!!

HOW MANY DAYS?
I spent 5 days in Fuji Five Lakes region (including a winter ascent of Mt Fuji ❄️), but most people will find 2–3 days plenty for sightseeing.

WHERE TO STAY
Kagelow Mt. Fuji Hostel was one of my favourite stays in Japan, with budget-friendly private pods or rooms, plus an awesome on-site restaurant, all an easy walk to the train station
FUJI FIVE LAKES 🌋🌸🎌

Just north of Mt Fuji & a few hours from Tokyo, this scenic region is made up of five volcanic lakes formed by ancient eruptions— Kawaguchi, Saiko, Yamanaka, Shoji & Motosu— all offering incredible vantage points of Japan’s most iconic mountain. Here’s how to explore ↯

GETTING HERE
Train 2hrs from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko (direct train every 30min; 2200¥ = $15)

GETTING AROUND
The Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Bus is a super easy hop-on-hop-off service that loops around Mt Fuji’s northern lakes and major sights (departing Kawaguchiko Station). Start with the Red Line and if you’ve got more time, transfer to the Green or Blue Lines for Lake Saiko and Lake Shoji (¥1,800 for 1-day pass = $12)

WHAT TO SEE
- Mt. Fuji Panorama Ropeway (900¥)
- Tenjosan Komitake Shrine
- Lake Shoji (quiet views along the lake shore)
- Lake Kawaguchi Excursion Boat (1000¥)
- Hannoki Bayashi Shiryokan (traditional village & open-air museum)
- Kawaguchiko Train Station & Lawson (excellent views)
- hike/climb Mt Fuji, depending on the season!!

HOW MANY DAYS?
I spent 5 days in Fuji Five Lakes region (including a winter ascent of Mt Fuji ❄️), but most people will find 2–3 days plenty for sightseeing.

WHERE TO STAY
Kagelow Mt. Fuji Hostel was one of my favourite stays in Japan, with budget-friendly private pods or rooms, plus an awesome on-site restaurant, all an easy walk to the train station
FUJI FIVE LAKES 🌋🌸🎌

Just north of Mt Fuji & a few hours from Tokyo, this scenic region is made up of five volcanic lakes formed by ancient eruptions— Kawaguchi, Saiko, Yamanaka, Shoji & Motosu— all offering incredible vantage points of Japan’s most iconic mountain. Here’s how to explore ↯

GETTING HERE
Train 2hrs from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko (direct train every 30min; 2200¥ = $15)

GETTING AROUND
The Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Bus is a super easy hop-on-hop-off service that loops around Mt Fuji’s northern lakes and major sights (departing Kawaguchiko Station). Start with the Red Line and if you’ve got more time, transfer to the Green or Blue Lines for Lake Saiko and Lake Shoji (¥1,800 for 1-day pass = $12)

WHAT TO SEE
- Mt. Fuji Panorama Ropeway (900¥)
- Tenjosan Komitake Shrine
- Lake Shoji (quiet views along the lake shore)
- Lake Kawaguchi Excursion Boat (1000¥)
- Hannoki Bayashi Shiryokan (traditional village & open-air museum)
- Kawaguchiko Train Station & Lawson (excellent views)
- hike/climb Mt Fuji, depending on the season!!

HOW MANY DAYS?
I spent 5 days in Fuji Five Lakes region (including a winter ascent of Mt Fuji ❄️), but most people will find 2–3 days plenty for sightseeing.

WHERE TO STAY
Kagelow Mt. Fuji Hostel was one of my favourite stays in Japan, with budget-friendly private pods or rooms, plus an awesome on-site restaurant, all an easy walk to the train station
FUJI FIVE LAKES 🌋🌸🎌

Just north of Mt Fuji & a few hours from Tokyo, this scenic region is made up of five volcanic lakes formed by ancient eruptions— Kawaguchi, Saiko, Yamanaka, Shoji & Motosu— all offering incredible vantage points of Japan’s most iconic mountain. Here’s how to explore ↯

GETTING HERE
Train 2hrs from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko (direct train every 30min; 2200¥ = $15)

GETTING AROUND
The Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Bus is a super easy hop-on-hop-off service that loops around Mt Fuji’s northern lakes and major sights (departing Kawaguchiko Station). Start with the Red Line and if you’ve got more time, transfer to the Green or Blue Lines for Lake Saiko and Lake Shoji (¥1,800 for 1-day pass = $12)

WHAT TO SEE
- Mt. Fuji Panorama Ropeway (900¥)
- Tenjosan Komitake Shrine
- Lake Shoji (quiet views along the lake shore)
- Lake Kawaguchi Excursion Boat (1000¥)
- Hannoki Bayashi Shiryokan (traditional village & open-air museum)
- Kawaguchiko Train Station & Lawson (excellent views)
- hike/climb Mt Fuji, depending on the season!!

HOW MANY DAYS?
I spent 5 days in Fuji Five Lakes region (including a winter ascent of Mt Fuji ❄️), but most people will find 2–3 days plenty for sightseeing.

WHERE TO STAY
Kagelow Mt. Fuji Hostel was one of my favourite stays in Japan, with budget-friendly private pods or rooms, plus an awesome on-site restaurant, all an easy walk to the train station
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
Follow
FUJI FIVE LAKES 🌋🌸🎌 Just north of Mt Fuji & a few hours from Tokyo, this scenic region is made up of five volcanic lakes formed by ancient eruptions— Kawaguchi, Saiko, Yamanaka, Shoji & Motosu— all offering incredible vantage points of Japan’s most iconic mountain. Here’s how to explore ↯ GETTING HERE Train 2hrs from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko (direct train every 30min; 2200¥ = $15) GETTING AROUND The Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Bus is a super easy hop-on-hop-off service that loops around Mt Fuji’s northern lakes and major sights (departing Kawaguchiko Station). Start with the Red Line and if you’ve got more time, transfer to the Green or Blue Lines for Lake Saiko and Lake Shoji (¥1,800 for 1-day pass = $12) WHAT TO SEE - Mt. Fuji Panorama Ropeway (900¥) - Tenjosan Komitake Shrine - Lake Shoji (quiet views along the lake shore) - Lake Kawaguchi Excursion Boat (1000¥) - Hannoki Bayashi Shiryokan (traditional village & open-air museum) - Kawaguchiko Train Station & Lawson (excellent views) - hike/climb Mt Fuji, depending on the season!! HOW MANY DAYS? I spent 5 days in Fuji Five Lakes region (including a winter ascent of Mt Fuji ❄️), but most people will find 2–3 days plenty for sightseeing. WHERE TO STAY Kagelow Mt. Fuji Hostel was one of my favourite stays in Japan, with budget-friendly private pods or rooms, plus an awesome on-site restaurant, all an easy walk to the train station
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
5/5

  • start here
  • about
  • group trips
  • destinations
  • hiking guides
  • outdoor gear
  • custom GPS maps
  • privacy
  • contact

COPYRIGHT © 2025 BROOKE BEYOND. TRAVEL BEYOND THE ORDINARY. Site Powered by Pix & Hue.

 

Loading Comments...