The Hida mountain range overlooks the Azusa River in remote Kamikochi, Japan. (Matthew Eppers/Stars and Stripes)
When it comes to hiking in Japan, Mount Fuji often garners much of the attention from international visitors.
For those seeking a less strenuous trek, there are numerous opportunities to experience Japan’s natural beauty without climbing the country’s highest peak — with scenery and views that are every bit as spectacular.
Kamikochi is one such hike. And with the summer hiking season now open, it’s a great time for a leisurely, relaxing stroll in the mountain region known as the Japanese Alps.
Roughly meaning “where the gods descended,” Kamikochi is an alpine valley within the Hida mountain range in Nagano prefecture’s section of Chubu Sangaku National Park, about 150 miles west of the Tokyo area. It has been designated as a National Cultural Asset and is on Japan’s lists of Special Natural Monuments and Special Places of Scenic Beauty.
Most of the hiking trails in Kamikochi, Japan, are wide and easy to follow through the alpine forest. (Matthew Eppers/Stars and Stripes)
The Hida mountain range overlooks the Azusa River in remote Kamikochi, Japan. (Matthew Eppers/Stars and Stripes)
Kamikochi’s main hiking trails run along the Azusa River, whose crystal-clear azure waters flow through the length of the valley, with stunning views of the mountains beyond. The trails wind through centuries-old forests dotted with marshes and mountain ponds, including Myojin Pond, site of the popular Hotaka Shrine, and Taisho Pond, which was formed in 1915 when an eruption of the nearby volcano Mount Yakedake dammed part of the river.
Much of the valley sits at an elevation of nearly 5,000 feet, but the trails are largely flat with little climbing, making for easy hikes through the terrain. Most of the trails are wide and easy to follow. Many in the most popular areas have wooden footpaths.
The Hida mountain range overlooks marshland in Kamikochi, Japan. (Matthew Eppers/Stars and Stripes)
The Tokusawa campground is near the northern end of Kamikochi, Japan. (Matthew Eppers/Stars and Stripes)
Getting to Kamikochi requires some planning. Because the area is protected, private cars are prohibited from entering. However, multiple bus lines from the nearby cities of Matsumoto and Takayama have frequent routes to the central terminal. Longer bus trips are available from major cities like Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka. Recreation offices on U.S. installations near Tokyo occasionally lead bus trips to the area.
For those looking for more than just a day hike, several accommodations are available, including three campgrounds and over a dozen hotels spread throughout the valley, from traditional Japanese ryokans to Western-style lodges.
All accommodations have restaurants on site, and there are several additional food stalls and cafes at the central bus terminal and the area around the Kappa Bridge a short walk away.
Bells are placed along the trails of Kamikochi, Japan, so hikers can ward off bears and other wildlife. (Matthew Eppers/Stars and Stripes)
On the QT
Directions: Kamikochi is reachable by bus from the nearby cities of Matsumoto and Takayama. The trip from either takes about 1 ½ hours to the central terminal.
Times: The area is open from mid-April to mid-November. The gates open at 5 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. in the spring and autumn and 8 p.m. in the summer. The last buses leave the central terminal around 6 p.m.
Costs: The trip from Matsumoto Station to the central bus terminal costs 4,550 yen round trip. The trip from Takayama Bus Center is 5,190 yen round trip. Nightly rates at hotels range from 8,000 yen per person to as much as 60,000 yen per person.
Food: There are several dining options available for those without hotel reservations at the bus terminal and around the Kappa Bridge.
Information: Park information can be found online at kamikochi.org.
