Explore the Pristine Alpine Highland of Kamikochi

Kamikochi is a highland area of magnificent mountain vistas, crystal-clear river waters and numerous hiking options. It is celebrated as a destination for mountaineering excursions, forest bathing, riverside walks and stays in relaxing accommodations, and provides spectacular scenery in all four seasons.

The jewel of the Hotaka Mountain Range and the Chubusangaku National Park, Kamikochi is generally open only from mid-April to mid-November but is easily reached by bus from Takayama or Matsumoto. Autumn is by far the most popular time to travel to Kamikochi, with visitors peaking around the middle of October, because its many white birch trees turn golden with yellow leaves until early November.

Some 1,500 meters above sea level and stretching through marshland and rivers, Kamikochi is surrounded by tall peaks including Mt. Okuhotakadake (3,190 m) and Mt. Mae-Hotakadake (3,090 m). These mountains form a dazzling alpine landscape, best viewed from spots such as Kappabashi bridge, a suspension bridge at the center of the valley and its most popular photo spot. Here, a short walk from the Kamikochi Bus Terminal, the Azusa River flows blue and green, forming a network of natural pathways in the surrounding forests.

After taking in the full spectacle of the Hotaka Mountains from the bridge, many visitors venture upstream or downstream along the Azusa River. One of the easiest ways to enjoy the valley is to hike the trails along the Azusa River from Taisho Pond, formed by the 1915 eruption of Mt. Yakedake, to Myojin Pond, a tranquil body of water set in a virgin forest. This only takes a few hours and, since the trails are flat, it’s easy even for beginner hikers. Along the way you can take in views of Mt. Yakedake, the memorial plaque to clergyman Walter Weston, Dakesawa Marsh, which is fed by underground springs, and Konashidaira campsite, which is popular among climbers and backpackers.

Farther along the valley, to the east, the Tokusawa campsite is situated on a former pasture. Beyond this point, hikers can enter trails that eventually lead up to the summits of Mt. Yarigatake, Mt. Chogatake and other peaks. Some can be scaled in a single day, such as Mt. Yakedake, while others require two or three days, such as Mt. Yarigatake or Mt. Okuhotaka. As you walk along the valley of Kamikochi and into the mountain slopes, be sure to look out for Japanese macaques, wild mallards, and Japanese serows (kamoshika), not to mention the beautiful birch trees and alpine flowers.

The British Anglican missionary Walter Weston (1861–1940) advocated for the preservation of Kamikochi during his 15 years in Japan. Along with Edward Bramwell Clarke, Weston is credited with introducing Japan to mountain climbing as a recreational activity.

Through his writings, such as Mountaineering and Exploration in the Japanese Alps (1896), and expeditions into the Japan Alps including scaling Mt. Yarigatake, Weston encouraged people in Japan to practice mountaineering as a sport. To commemorate Weston’s work in making Kamikochi a special place for mountaineering in Japan, the Japan Alpine Club erected a bronze relief sculpture of him on the mountainside.

Building on this interest in Kamikochi, Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s novel Kappa (1927), depicting mythological kappa water imps in the valley, helped generate popular interest. Soon after, the Imperial Hotel opened in 1933, and buses carrying visitors began passing through the Kama Tunnel. Since then, Kamikochi has continued to grow as Japan’s premier mountain playground, drawing millions of visitors from around the world while carefully maintaining its natural environment.