[miho2]

We will be visiting Japan for 3 weeks in May for the first time and beside visiting the cultural highlights we would also like to experience some of the countryside while hiking. We will fly into/out of Narita and then travel around Kyoto, Nara, Himeji, Hiroshima, Takayama by Rail Pass. So we will be flexible to go to some other area.

Now it is too early in the year for Mt. Fuji and most of the walks in the central Alps round Kamikochi will likely still have too much snow and ice, also. Anyway, we could probably find similar hiking in the European Alps. So we are thinking about hiking in one of the volcanic areas. From guide books there are some interesting ones near Aso and on northern Honshu. Any ideas for day to multi-day hikes are welcome. I've got the Lonely Planet Walking guide but most of the hikes suggested there require camping gear.

Are there mountain huts for accomodation in any of these areas? We don't want to carry around camping gear for three weeks when using it only for a few nights.

Thanks for any suggestions,
Michael