Sam Godin

Sam Godin

Sam Godin is an educator and professional photographer based in Yokohama, Japan. His educational background focuses on Global Studies at the university level and Eastern Asian studies, but he has also uses a decade of experience in photography to instruct classes on basic skills related to photo composition and the camera.

Most of Sam's writing focuses on Japan's nuanced hiking culture and outdoor gear. Since moving to Japan in 2016, he has hiked half of Japan's "100 Famous Mountain Peaks" and has extensive knowledge on the Japanese Alps which he frequently writes about.

Godin is currently a professor at Meiji Gakuin University in the Department of International Communication and was previously a photography instructor at Kanda University of International Studies in Chiba, Japan. Prior to this, he graduated with a BA in East Asian Languages and Cultures and also holds a Masters degree in Education from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana.


Recent articles by Sam

A Hiker's Guide to the Hokkaido East Trail, Japan's New Long-Distance Trek

Traverse Volcanic Ridges, Farm Country, & Jazz Bars Along Japan's Hokkaido East Trail

Far from the frequently visited stops on Japan's north island, the country's newest long trail is a 250-mile walk in Hokkaido parts unknown

Japanese Outdoor Magazine Guide: 10 Print Titles for Gear Lovers

Japanese Outdoor Magazine Guide: 10 Print Titles for Gear Lovers

Even if you can't read Japanese, these expertly curated magazines will inspire you to seek greater adventures—and a new pair of rare hiking boots

Michinoku Coastal Trail Winter Hiking Guide: Epic Views & No Crowds

Why You Should Hike Japan's New Michinoku Coastal Trail Next Winter

Though the MCT is often hiked in the fall or spring, those who brave it in colder months will be rewarded with singular beauty and tastier fish

Restoring Trails & Building Community In the Heart of the Japanese Alps

Why I Hiked 13 Hours into the Japanese Alps to Restore the Trails Around a Remote Hut

Located in Chubu Sangaku National Park, the remote Kumonodaira Hut is a hiker's paradise—here's why I spent a week volunteering to help preserve it

16 Japanese Outdoor Brands You Should Know

16 Japanese Outdoor Brands You Need to Know About

Japan's longstanding culture of hiking, camping, skiing, and taking in nature is alive and well thanks to a growing group of design-minded gear makers

Japanese Alps Hiking Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Everything You Need to Know About Hiking the Northern Japanese Alps

North of Tokyo in the Nagano, Toyama, and Gifu prefectures, the peaks collectively known as the Hida Mountains or Japanese Alps are a hiker's dream

A Hiker's Guide to the Japanese Alps' Mountain Hut Shelter System

A Guide to the Eclectic Mountain Huts & Hiking Shelters of the Japanese Alps

Japan has a long tradition of hiking—here, we dive into the system of mountain lodges where hikers can take shelter and find a warm, home cooked meal