This was the most beautiful yet the most exhausting place we visited during our Central Japan Tour last year.
Kamikochi in the Northern Japan Alps of Nagano Prefecture
The period during which casual visitors can come to Kamikochi is during the seven month window from mid-April to mid-November.
According to their website, this area will open again in April 17, 2026.
We joined a tour from Klook because it was the most efficient way going here. We left Nagoya at 8 AM. There were stops along the way and I suggest that you get snacks and drinks from the rest stop because Kamikochi can get crowded and you might not have enough time to form in line for food especially if you're doing Route 2.
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Before alighting the bus, the tour guide explained that there are two routes in Kamikochi. She also showed several photo spots to help you in your decision-making.
First - Taisho Pond - Tashiro Pond - Kappa Bridge (easy)
Second - Kappa Bridge - Myojin Bridge - Hotaka Shrine - Dakezawa Marshland (quite long)
Sounds of Kamikochi - Youtube Short
When I was looking at the videos I filmed, I noticed the different nature sounds in Kamikochi so here's a short one so you can hear birds singing, wind blowing, leaves rustling etc.
The places we wanted to see were all at the Second Route so we took that. It was a lot longer and more challenging compared to the first route. According to the photo timestamps, we started at 10:26 AM and ended at 1:24 PM. That's already 3 hours and if I recall correctly, we were only given 3 1/2 hours. Quite rushed but enough.
The bus will not wait for those who won't arrive on time so pace yourselves and try not to linger along the way. Some people are able to do the trail in 2 hours but we took lots of photos so it took us longer.
Anyway, in the collage above is the Kappa Bridge. Stores, picnic tables, hotels, restrooms are all within that area.
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| Hotaka Mountain Range I was watching Oguri Shun and Han Hyo Joo's Netflix Drama, Romantic Anonymous and they visited Kamikochi in one of the episodes. The view above was the one shown in the drama. A lot more beautiful in person, no wonder this is also known as "the place where Gods descend." Also, the view changes depending on the season, we visited last May 18, 2025. |
After crossing Kappa Bridge is the trailhead for Route 2.
There are rules before entering the Exploring Zone so make sure to check those out to ensure your safety.
There are bear bells in this area and while the chance of encountering bears is low, make sure to still ring those before walking along the wooden pathway.
Dakesawa Marsh
Those are dead trees, aren't they?
Anyway, I can totally see why Kamikochi's peak season is Autumn.
We saw two monkeys perched on the tree. They were busy eating and didn't mind us at all. I saw posts before where monkeys were nearer the trail though.
Feeding them is strictly prohibited.
Azusa River, Dakesawa Marsh
You'd also pass by other people who were mostly locals so prepare your konnichiwa because greeting others was the norm.
You'd also pass by other people who were mostly locals so prepare your konnichiwa because greeting others was the norm.
Myojin Pond
Myojin Pond or Myojinike
Addmission Fee: 300 Yen
Addmission Fee: 300 Yen
The water was crystal clear even if it rained the day before.
Every year on October 8th, the annual festival of the Hotaka Shrine Okumiya is held at Myojin Pond in Kamikochi. This traditional festival prays for mountain safety and is also known as the "Myojin Pond Boat Festival."
Myojin Bridge
The walk back to Kappa Bridge or the Left Bank Path was easier. It's mostly gravel trail with not a lot of incline.
The walk back to Kappa Bridge or the Left Bank Path was easier. It's mostly gravel trail with not a lot of incline.
Field of wildflowers called nirinsou in Japanese will greet you as you leave the Myojin Bridge. Lovely little white flowers that are impossible to ignore.
Make sure to remember your bus' plate number because as you can see, there are a lot buses at the parking lot.
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Private vehicles, including motorcycles and rental cars, are prohibited from entering Kamikochi year-round to protect its environment. Visitors must park at designated lots in Sawando (Matsumoto side) or Hirayu (Takayama side) and take a shuttle bus or taxi to the park, which is open from April 17 to November 15.
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Everything, in time. 💖
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