[Kamikochi Travel Guide] A Scenic Destination with Beautiful and Diverse Natural Landscapes

The monthly high and low temperatures in Kamikochi are shown in the table below.
These figures are averages calculated from 2022 data released by the Kamikochi Visitor Center (Ministry of the Environment).
Please use them as a reference when preparing what to wear.

Kappabashi Bridge was once a drawbridge-like wooden bridge built by extending timber out from both riverbanks.
It became a suspension bridge in 1910, and the current bridge is the fifth-generation suspension bridge, rebuilt in 1997.
This larch-wood suspension bridge is 3.1 meters wide and 36.6 meters long, and it has become a symbol of Kamikochi.
From the bridge, you can enjoy spectacular views of the Hotaka Mountain Range and Karasawa Valley on its slopes.

A pond formed when the Azusa River was dammed by the 1915 eruption of Mt. Yake.
The emerald-green surface beautifully reflects the mountains of Kamikochi.
The submerged forest stands eerily dead, creating a mysterious landscape. Located at an elevation of 1,490 meters, the area is at just the right altitude for white birch trees, and beautiful birch forests spread out around it.
The view of Taisho Pond reflecting the Hotaka Mountain Range on a clear day is beautiful, but the dreamy sight of mist rising early in the morning after rain and the star-filled night sky are also highly recommended.

A ropeway located deep in Takayama, in Shinhotaka Onsen of Okuhida Onsengo.
From the starting point, Shinhotaka Onsen Station, to the final stop, Nishihotakaguchi Station, you can enjoy a 3,200-meter aerial journey by transferring between the first and second ropeways.
After arriving at Nishihotakaguchi Station at an elevation of 2,156 meters, head to the observation deck on the station rooftop.
There, the mountains of the Northern Alps, including Mt. Nishi-Hotaka, Mt. Yari, and Mt. Kasa, spread out before you in a 360-degree panorama.
The magnificent view is so impressive that it was awarded two stars in the <i>Michelin Green Guide Japon</i>.

Quietly nestled in a conifer forest, Myojin Pond is one of Kamikochi’s most peaceful spots. The pond is made up of Ichinoike and Ninoike, and there are two routes to reach it, along the left or right bank of the Azusa River. Both make for a pleasant walk of about 1 hour from Kappabashi Bridge.
True to its former name, Kagamiike, or “Mirror Pond,” Ichinoike reflects the surrounding scenery on its crystal-clear surface. You can enjoy views that change with the seasons, from fresh greenery to autumn leaves, and may even spot wild birds such as mallards and mandarin ducks swimming by.

If you take the Nature Study Trail connecting Taisho Pond and Kappabashi Bridge, you can hike comfortably even in sneakers.
Many sections of the path are well maintained, so even beginners can enjoy it.
The appeal of the hiking area from Taisho Pond to Kappabashi Bridge lies in its grand nature, which changes with the seasons.
You can see rivers, mountains, wetlands, and other scenery with different kinds of beauty, making it a route you are unlikely to get tired of.
From here, we will introduce four courses in the area between Taisho Pond and Kappabashi Bridge.

For the Kappabashi-Myojin Nature Trail connecting Kappabashi Bridge and Myojin, hiking shoes are recommended.
Compared with the area from Taisho Pond to Kappabashi Bridge, the difficulty level is a little higher.
That also means you can better enjoy the hike itself.
In addition to atmospheric forest paths, one major attraction is being able to see seasonal flowers.
From here, we will introduce the two courses in the area between Kappabashi Bridge and Myojin.

The Oku-Kamikochi Nature Trail is a course that runs from Myojin to Tokusawa.
Although the route itself is flat, it is a long-distance hike, so it may be challenging for people who are not confident in their stamina.
The distance is just under 4 km, and the walking time is about 60 to 70 minutes. It will take longer if you include breaks.
Please make sure you are fully prepared, not only in terms of stamina but also with the right gear and clothing.
There are far fewer people along the way, so you can fully enjoy the atmosphere of hiking and take your time appreciating the natural scenery.

A restaurant on the second floor of the Kamikochi Tourism Center, facing Kamikochi Bus Terminal, which gets busy with many tourists and climbers during peak season. While enjoying views of the magnificent Hotaka Mountain Range, you can savor dishes made with ingredients from Shinshu.
It opens at 6:00am, making it convenient if you are heading out for trekking early in the morning.
The menu includes breakfast sets (Japanese and Western), as well as set meals, soba, rice bowls, and katsu curry.

A mountain lodge built in 1880 by Kamijo Kamonji, who served as a guide for Walter Weston, known as the father of modern Japanese mountaineering. Long loved as a place of rest in Kamikochi, a base for climbing in the Northern Alps, it is now run by the fifth-generation owner, Mizuho Kamijo, who carries on its history and tradition while welcoming overnight guests and diners.
Salt-grilled char cooked over the irori hearth is its signature dish without question.
For each order, the fish is scooped from a fish preserve set in the clear stream flowing in front of the lodge, skewered, and slowly grilled over the hearth fire. The result is truly exquisite, and eating it whole from the head lets you appreciate its flavor even more.

This hotel stands right in front of Kappabashi Bridge, one of Japan’s premier scenic destinations and Kamikochi’s central landmark, and is also just a 5-minute walk from the bus terminal.
It is conveniently located close to spots such as Taisho Pond and Myojin Pond, making it a great base for exploring Kamikochi. On clear days, you can enjoy beautiful views of the Hotaka Mountain Range.
The guest rooms come in a variety of types to suit different travel styles, including rooms with sweeping views of the Hotaka Mountains across the windows and sophisticated rooms blending Japanese and modern design.

Opened in 1933 as Japan’s first full-scale mountain resort hotel.
Its red triangular roof and log cabin-style exterior remain unchanged from those early days, and beyond the doors you will find a warm wooden interior centered around the hotel’s symbolic fireplace.
The hotel also has excellent facilities, including restaurants, allowing guests to enjoy an elegant stay embraced by great nature.
There are 74 guest rooms in total, with seven room types ranging from mountain lodge-style rooms that make use of the sloping roofline in the ceiling design to suites with living rooms.