Mountain Log Japan was created to record your hikes with GPS and bring everything from planning to looking back together in one app. No account is required, and your data is stored on your device (if you turn on iCloud Sync in the Pro version, it is also stored in your own iCloud). There is no subscription. To use the App safely and comfortably, please read these Terms before you start.
These Terms of Use (the “Terms”) set out the conditions for using the iOS app “Mountain Log Japan” (the “App”). By using the App, you are deemed to have agreed to these Terms.
The App provides the following features:
The App supports Japanese and English. The display language switches automatically based on your device’s system settings. Translation data for mountain names, prefecture names and other terms is included in the App. We do our best to provide accurate translations but do not guarantee complete accuracy. Mountain names displayed in languages other than Japanese are based on romanization and common English names and may differ from official English names.
The App may hold limited-time in-app events. During an event, restrictions of the free version (such as the maximum number of saved hiking records) may be temporarily relaxed. Hiking records saved during an event can still be viewed and edited after the event ends. Event content, periods and benefits may be changed or ended without notice. Events may also be announced on the App Store in-app events page.
The App does not guarantee your safety while hiking. GPS accuracy varies depending on the environment, and recorded data is for reference only. Elevation data is a reference value obtained from the GSI Elevation API and GSI elevation tiles and may differ from the actual elevation. Weather forecasts are obtained from external services and may differ from actual weather conditions in mountain areas.
Course time plans are reference values calculated from trail distance and elevation change, and the actual time required may differ depending on your fitness, the weather, trail conditions and other factors. Routes suggested by shortest-route search are also for reference only and do not guarantee that trails are passable. Regardless of your course time plan, make appropriate decisions based on your own fitness, experience and the conditions on the day.
“Auto” courses in the course list are created automatically by connecting a trailhead and the summit along the shortest path in the trail data. They are not guaranteed to be standard hiking courses recommended by local governments or mountaineering organizations, nor to be passable. The trail data may include, without distinction, abandoned trails, collapsed or closed sections, sections closed in winter, and difficult routes unsuitable for ordinary hikers. Course time, distance, elevation gain and the course constant are also reference values calculated from this data. When choosing a course, always check the latest trail information, hiking maps and official information from local governments, mountain huts and others to confirm that the route suits your skills and is currently passable. If you choose a course that descends to a different trailhead with “Change Descent”, transportation back to your starting point (such as a parking lot) is not taken into account.
The offline map saved with “Plan with this course” covers only a limited area around the summit (about 10 km square, or an area that contains the whole course if it extends beyond that). Maps outside this area may not be shown where there is no signal, so check in advance that you have maps for the area you need, including escape routes and nearby mountain areas, and also carry a paper map.
The place names shown at the start and finish of course times are the names of nearby trailheads, parking lots, summits and other points shown automatically, and do not guarantee that the point is an actual trailhead or that the parking lot is available.
Trail search also treats paths mapped in OpenStreetMap as footpaths or steps (excluding sidewalks along roads and crossings) as trails. These may include paths in towns or facilities, paths on private land, and paths with restricted access, and their inclusion in a route does not guarantee that they are passable or that access is permitted. Searching for trails up to a distant section covers a wide area, so it may take time or fail depending on network conditions. In addition, trail data in offline maps downloaded before footpaths and steps were supported does not include them, so routes may not connect until you retrieve the data again with “Update trail data” in the download history. Before entering mountain areas without signal, retrieve the trail data you need and check your route.
Estimated arrival times at each checkpoint and finish times shown when you specify a departure date and time are estimates based on your course time plan. Actual passing times may differ due to a late start, more or less rest, the weather, trail conditions, congestion and other factors. Use estimated times only as a planning guide, and leave plenty of margin depending on the conditions on the day.
Recalculating course times where there is no signal uses only data stored on your device. Information obtained when connected to a network is not reflected, so the results may differ from the actual time required.
Mountain name search results are reference information based on data for famous mountains and other mountains bundled with the App, and the coordinates, elevation and location shown may differ from the latest official information. Locations shown in search results do not necessarily indicate trailheads or parking areas.
Trailhead, parking and bus stop information is reference information created from OpenStreetMap, National Land Numerical Information, official information from local governments and other sources, and the locations, names, restrictions and cautions may differ from the latest conditions. Trailheads marked “Unverified” have not been checked against official information. Road closures, entry restrictions, winter closures and similar information may not be reflected, and updates may be delayed. We do not guarantee the availability, capacity or fees of parking lots, or whether hikers are permitted to park there. Bus stops may be unavailable due to seasonal service, suspensions or discontinued routes, so check service status with the bus operator. Before entering the mountains, always check the latest official information from local governments, mountain huts, transport operators and other sources.
When creating routes that start or finish at a trailhead, parking lot or bus stop, sections that are not connected in the trail and road data are joined with straight lines to complete the route. Straight-line sections do not represent a path you can actually walk, and their distance and time are approximate. Do not try to walk a straight-line section as shown; check the actual path using signs and maps on site.
Directions to trailheads, parking lots and bus stops shown in a maps app (Apple Maps or Google Maps) are provided by that maps app, and the App does not guarantee them. Roads to trailheads may include forest roads, narrow roads and unpaved roads, and may be subject to closures, winter closures or vehicle restrictions. Follow road signs, traffic regulations and information from road administrators.
The course constant is an indicator of how physically demanding a course is, calculated from the standard course time, distance and total ascent and descent. It does not take into account the weather, snow, trail conditions, technical difficulty (rocky sections, chains, river crossings, etc.), the weight of your pack, or your own fitness and experience. Labels such as “suitable for beginners” do not guarantee that a course is safe for beginners. Make your hiking plan at your own discretion, also checking information such as trail gradings published by local governments.
Specifying the starting point (walking direction) only determines the order of the route and does not guarantee that you can enter the mountains from that point or that travel in that direction is permitted. Always check entry points and whether trails are passable using the latest trail information, signs on site, and official information from local governments, mountain huts and other sources.
“Previous route” in the course list reuses route data saved in a past hiking record and does not guarantee that the route is still safe to travel. Trail conditions change due to disasters, collapses, snow, construction, seasonal closures and other factors. Even when reusing a past route, always check the latest trail information and weather forecasts in advance. The time taken in a past record reflects the conditions at that time and does not guarantee the time required for your next hike.
Automatic walking pace settings are estimates based on past hikes and may differ from your actual pace depending on your physical condition, the weather, pack weight, trail conditions and other factors.
Timelapse videos are generated from GPS track data and may differ from your actual route due to GPS accuracy.
Statistics (monthly and yearly charts, total ascent, distance walked, personal records, completion rates, etc.) are reference values calculated from the GPS data in your hiking records and may differ from actual values depending on GPS accuracy and recording conditions.
AI-generated text (such as highlight card posts) is generated automatically by Apple Intelligence, and its accuracy and appropriateness are not guaranteed. Review the text before sharing and share it at your own responsibility. On devices that do not support Apple Intelligence, template-based text is generated.
Voice memo transcription is automatic conversion by speech recognition technology, and the accuracy of the results is not guaranteed. Please check and correct important content yourself.
Backup and restore helps preserve hiking records and image data, but restoration may not be possible due to backup file corruption, device status, storage capacity and other factors. You are responsible for storing backup files.
iCloud Sync uses Apple’s iCloud to sync hiking records and photos between devices. Sync may be delayed or fail, or data may not be reflected as intended, due to iCloud outages, network conditions, available iCloud storage, Apple ID sign-in status and other factors. Some data, such as course time plans, actual times and offline maps, is not synced. Photos may take time to sync depending on the number of photos and network conditions, and may not appear on other devices until syncing is complete. If you delete a hiking record or photo while iCloud Sync is on, it is also deleted from your other synced devices. Data deleted with “Delete iCloud Data” cannot be recovered. iCloud Sync is not a substitute for backups, so please save important records using the backup feature.
Downloaded offline maps are not included in device backups. If you restore your device from a backup or change devices, offline maps will not be restored. Before entering mountain areas without signal, always download the offline maps you need again and confirm that they display correctly.
Photo Scan detects hiking records automatically based on photo location and date taken, and the accuracy of the results is not guaranteed. Results that differ from your actual hikes may be detected, or hikes may not be detected, due to the accuracy of photo location data, matching errors with mountain coordinate data and other factors. Please review the results before registering them.
Location sharing is reference information based on GPS location and may differ from your actual position due to GPS accuracy, signal conditions and other factors. Do not rely solely on this feature to communicate your location in an emergency.
The heading shown at your current location on the map is reference information based on your device’s compass and other sensors, and may differ from the direction you are actually facing due to nearby metal, magnetism, electronic devices or the calibration state of your device. Decide which way to go together with a paper map, compass, signs on site and other means.
The sunset alert estimates your finish time from your walking pace and route information and warns you by comparing it with the sunset time. Sunset times are estimates obtained from an external service and may differ from actual daylight depending on terrain, weather and season. The estimated finish time is calculated from your walking pace excluding time spent stopped, so it does not include breaks you have yet to take. Your actual finish time may be later than estimated due to breaks or delays. Spoken alerts may not be audible depending on your device volume, connected audio devices such as earphones, wind, rain, surrounding noise and other factors. Regardless of whether the alert is triggered, descend with plenty of time to spare.
The route deviation alert is reference information based on the distance between your GPS position and your planned route, and deviation may not be detected accurately due to GPS accuracy, terrain, signal conditions and other factors. Route deviation detection starts only after you reach the start of your route, so you will not be warned if you go the wrong way before reaching it. Reaching the start is determined from GPS location, so detection may start late due to GPS accuracy and other factors. Regardless of whether the alert is triggered, always carry alternatives such as a paper map and compass.
A section suggested when you deviate from your route shows a nearby trail and the section up to it based on trail data. It does not guarantee that you can move safely from your current location to that point, or that the section or trail actually exists and is passable. Trail data may differ from actual conditions and may not reflect abandoned trails, collapses, closures or other changes. If you get lost, do not head toward a suggested section by crossing slopes or descending streams. As a rule, go back the way you came to a point where you are certain of your location. Decide for yourself whether to fill in a section, taking into account the terrain, signs, weather and your own fitness.
If you select Power Saving as the GPS accuracy mode, or if the App runs in Power Saving automatically because of your device’s Low Power Mode, location accuracy and the recording interval are reduced. As a result, the accuracy of recorded routes, distance, elevation and other data decreases, and route deviation alerts and sunset alerts may be delayed or may not work correctly. In sections where there is a risk of getting lost, also use alternatives such as a paper map and compass.
Automatic backup reduces the risk of losing hiking records, but recovery may not be possible depending on device status, storage capacity and other factors. Notifications that recording has stopped may not arrive, or may be delayed, depending on notification permission, device settings, Focus modes, OS restrictions and other factors. It may also take up to about 10 minutes after the App stops for the notification to arrive. Regardless of notifications, check from time to time during your hike that recording is continuing. We recommend saving important records using the export or backup feature.
The Lock Screen and Dynamic Island display uses iOS Live Activities and may not appear or may update late depending on the OS version, device status and system restrictions. Likewise, summits and descents recorded with the buttons on the Lock Screen or Dynamic Island may not be reflected or may be delayed depending on the status of your device or the App. Please check the record in the App afterwards.
Guidance through cards on the Climb screen explains how to operate the App and does not evaluate or guarantee the validity or safety of your hiking plan.
If location access is not allowed, features that use location, such as GPS recording, route deviation alerts and sunset alerts, will not work.
Translations of mountain names, place names and other terms in multilingual display are reference information and may differ from official English names used by public authorities.
Switching display units (imperial) converts data stored in metric units when it is displayed, and rounding may cause small differences in displayed values. Trail signs and maps in Japan generally use metric units, so take care when comparing values with information on site.
The cache clearing feature is intended to improve map display, but map tiles must be downloaded again immediately after clearing, so display may be temporarily slower.
Wikipedia links from the detail screens of famous mountains and other mountains (which may show a page for a different mountain with the same name, or a disambiguation page) and links to official information from the trailhead detail screen lead to external websites, and the App is not responsible for the accuracy or timeliness of information on linked pages.
When hiking, always check the latest weather information from multiple sources and bring appropriate equipment and maps.
The developer accepts no responsibility for any direct or indirect damages arising from the use of the App.
Records may be lost due to a dead battery, device failure, app malfunction or other causes. We recommend saving important records using the export or backup feature.
Share highlight cards, posts, timelapse videos and course time plan images to social media at your own discretion and responsibility. You can choose whether to include photos and route maps in highlight cards. Before sharing, make sure no unintended information is included. Take sufficient care with the information contained in shared content (photos, location information, hiking data, AI-generated text and timelapse videos). Location information sent by location sharing allows recipients to know your current position. Take sufficient care in choosing who you share it with. Content on the social media services you share to is handled in accordance with each service’s terms of use and privacy policy.
You must not:
The Pro version is purchased through Apple’s in-app purchase system. The Pro version is a one-time purchase (non-consumable), and no monthly or yearly subscription fees are charged. Refunds are subject to Apple’s policies. Pro features may be changed without notice.
The App uses the following external services. The terms of use of each service apply to its use.
Copyright and other intellectual property rights relating to the App belong to the developer. Hiking record data you create (including course time plans, actual times and timelapse videos) belongs to you. Trailhead, parking and bus stop data uses OpenStreetMap data (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0), data processed from National Land Numerical Information (Bus Stop Data) (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism), and information from the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan. The App’s trailhead data is published under the ODbL. Ownership of copyright in text generated by AI features is subject to Apple’s terms of use.
The developer may change features of the App, suspend its provision or terminate it without prior notice.
These Terms may be changed without notice. Changes take effect when they are posted on this page.
These Terms are governed by the laws of Japan.
Last updated: October 13, 2026