Japan Alps Kamikochi, Nagano

The clear stream of Azusagawa River and the mountains of Japan Alps with peaks on both sides. That is the scenic spot to represent Japan, Kamikochi. While watching magnificent views, walking with a refreshing climate is very pleasant.
Kamikochi located near the center of the North Alps, 1,500 meters above sea level. It is a part of the Chubu Mountains National Park, designated as Japan’s cultural heritage (special scenic spot, special natural treasure), is the leading mountain resort in Japan. As many as 1.4 million hikers and climbers visit yearly. A stream of clear water Azusagawa River flows, with the famous peak of North Alps rising on both sides. This landscape is truly moving. This climate is easy to spend around 22 ° C even in summer. Rather than going on a steep mountain path, the promenade is being maintained. So, from children to the elderly can enjoy hiking without impossibility.

Kamikochi’s hiking course can be roughly divided into three courses.

It is the most popular and it is a course that you can walk without difficulty even by tourists. Start from Kamikochi Bus Terminal, go down south of the left bank of Azusagawa River, go to Taisho pond and turn back to Kappa Bashi Bridge as the goal.

There is a little distance and up / down, but it is a course that enjoys varied scenery such as forest zone and wetlands. Start from Kappa Bashi Bridge, go north on the right bank of Azusagawa River, go to Myojin-ike Pond, cross the left bank back to Kappa Bashi Bridge.

In this course, there are few tourists, a course for advanced users who can enjoy full-scale hiking. From Myojin-ike Pond as the starting point, go north on the left bank of Azusagawa River, go to Tokusawa Garden, make a U-turn and return to Myojin-ike Pond.

Both courses are superb views that follow the magnificent scenery, and hiking will be felt in the blink of an eye.
Please try experiencing the Kamikochi hiking with plenty of nature’s power.

You will not get tired of visiting many times

Kamikochi area in Nagano Prefecture is a mountain resort representing Japan. You can see the magnificent view of the Hodaka mountain range, and you can enjoy from sightseeing and trekking to full-scale mountain climbing. Moreover, from day trips to lodging you can enjoy nature with various staying styles. There are also many attractive sights and you will not get tired of visiting many times.

“Special Place of Scenic Beauty” and “Special Natural Monument”

Kamikochi is a mountain scenic spot with an altitude of about 1,500 meters. It is designated as “Special Place of Scenic Beauty” and “Special Natural Monument” of the country because it is a lot of unspoiled nature and is called a treasure trove of great nature. These two titles are given only in the Kurobe Gorge in Toyama prefecture and here Kamikochi.

Access is easy to understand

To protect this precious nature, access to Kamikochi is regulated by the use of private car. From the direction of Matsumoto-shi, “Sawando parking lot”, from Takayama city to “Hirayu parking lot” you need to park your car and take a bus or taxi. Furthermore, there is a big bus terminal in Kamikochi, access is easy to understand, taxi is fixed rate fare system so people who visit for the first time are safe as well.

It is crowded with many tourists during the season

“Kappa-bashi Bridge” is the symbolic existence of Kamikochi that comes down from the bus or taxi and walks about 5 minutes walking. A wooden suspension bridge over the Azusa River, this is a great shooting spot that you can see beautiful river flow and Hotaka mountains and Yakedake in front of you. The neighborhood is called “Kamikochi Ginza” where hotels and restaurants are gathered, and it is crowded with many tourists during the season.

Mysterious landscape has appeared in many media

“Taisho Pond” is the largest pond of Kamikochi that Azusagawa River was blocked by a large amount of mud flow jetted out when Yakeyama erupted in 1915. The submerged forest has died and its mysterious landscape has appeared in many media.

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