Kamikōchi (上高地) in Japanese literally means “the ground that God descends upon”. It is the perfect name to describe how beautiful this area is. Surrounding by the magnificent Northern Japanese Alps, it is the ultimate tourist destination for nature lovers. There is not a single day that Kamikōchi looks the same because nature changes as the seasons pass.
Kamikōchi in Nagano Prefecture is the plain lying between the Northern Japanese Alps. While it is located 1,500 meters above the ground, the trekking courses are fairly flat and well-maintained in Kamikōchi. These tracks are up to 10 km long. There are rivers, ponds, forests, and wetlands along the tracks. All of these have disappeared from the life of most people nowadays.
This is why over 1.5 million Japanese or foreign tourists choose Kamikōchi when they are after a getaway from their busy urban life! And if you are an experienced hiker, basing at Kamikōchi to hike the spectacular Hotaka mountain range can be a great choice as well (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
Table of Contents
- Explore Kamikōchi With a Guided Tour
- The Best Time to Visit Kamikōchi
- The 5 Rules to Follow in Kamikōchi
- The Scenic Spots in Kamikōchi
- What to Bring to Kamikōchi
- What to Wear at Kamikōchi
- How to Get to Kamikōchi
The Scenic Spots in Kamikōchi
Taishō Pond to Kappa Bridge Trekking Course
- Taishō Pond (大正池)
- Tashiro Marsh (田代湿原) and Tashiro Pond (田代池)
- Tashiro Bridge (田代橋)
- Kamikōchi Onsen Hotel (上高地温泉ホテル)
- Kamikōchi Lemeiesta Hotel (上高地ルミエスタホテル)
- Weston Monemunt (ウエストン碑)
Kappa Bridge to the Myōjin Area Trekking Course
- Dakesawa Marsh (岳沢湿原)
- Hotaka Shrine (穂高神社), Myōjin Pond (明神池), and Myōjin Bridge (明神橋)
- Resort Konashi (森のリゾート小梨)
Myōjin Area to Yokoo Area Trekking Course
Click HERE for a complete map of Kamikōchi on their official website.
Explore Kamikōchi With a Guided Tour
You can book a guided tour with either Viator or Klook.
Book Through Viator
Book Through Klook
- 2D1N Kamikochi & Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Tour from Tokyo
- Kamikochi & Matsumoto Castle One-Day Tour from Nagano/Matsumoto
- Kamikochi Day Tour from Nagoya
Other Guided Options Include:
- Multilingual Mountain Guides
- They have a Kamikōchi Nature Tour. You can choose from 2 hours, 4 hours, and full-day options depending on your preference.
- Please refer to HERE for further details.
- NIGN (Nagano Interpreter / Guide Network)
- Customized private tours with an English-speaking guide.
- The fee varies according to your plan.
- Please email them at [email protected] to further details and a quotation.
- Karuizawa Guide Service (KGS)
- They have various tour plans for you to choose from. Whilst currently they don’t have one in Kamikōchi, you can go for the customized option.
- The fee varies according to your plan.
- Please refer to HERE for all the tour plans available.
- For experienced hikers, you can consider joining the Norikura Kōgen＆ Kamikōchi Tour.
- A 3-Day tour that will guide you through hiking through Mt. Norikura and Kamikōchi.
- Please refer to HERE and translate it to English by Google Chrome’s translation function at the right of the address bar for further details.
The Best Time to Visit Kamikōchi
Kamikōchi is open to the public from late April to mid-November each year. Because the temperature is still chilly even in mid-summer (August in Kamikōchi has a similar temperature as May or June in Tokyo), there is not a standout tourist season.
From April to mid-May, as well as November (November depends on when the first snow of the year happens), you are able to see the Japanese Alps covered in snow.
By the way, from late May to mid-June, the number of tourists is usually not as many as in other months. It is probably the best time to enjoy Kamikōchi (although it is also the rainy season). But be aware the weather is still cold, with around 6 to 10 degrees in the early morning and at night, 12 to 17 degrees during the day.
If you plan to camp at Kamikōchi, visiting during the warmer months in July and August is probably better. The fall color will start replacing the vibrant green summer color in October. The autumn foliage can be best seen from mid to late October.
Lastly, on the 11th of August each year, the Shikatayama Festival (四方山祭り) is held at Kamikōchi. You will find it particularly interesting if you love to stroll around craft markets (^_-)-☆.
The 5 Rules to Follow in Kamikōchi
Before we move on to introduce this stunning place to you, please take note of the below 5 rules when you get there:
- Don’t pick any plants or try to capture any insects
- Don’t feed the wild animals here
- Take all your rubbish home
- Don’t bring your pets of different species to Kamikōchi
- Don’t walk off the promenade
Following the above 5 rules will ensure that Kamikōchi’s beauty is able to pass down to future generations!
The Most Relaxed Trekking Course: Taishō Pond to Kappa Bridge
Taishō Pond ⇒ Tashiro Marsh & Tashiro Pond ⇒ Tashiro Bridge ⇒ Kappa Bridge
The walking track between Taishō Pond (大正池) and Kappa Bridge (河童橋) is the easiest track in Kamikōchi. With the track almost flat, even for those who don’t normally enjoy trekking, the one hour course should still be a great experience with beautiful nature.
When we walked back to Taishō Pond from Kappa Bridge in the late afternoon, we even ran into a flock of wild monkeys! There were even little ones, and one was on the mother’s back!
Taishō Pond (大正池)
If you take a bus to Kamikōchi, the Taishō Pond would be the first stop after the bus enters what the Japanese called the ground that God descends upon. Especially if you take the nighttime express bus from Tokyo, we highly recommend getting off the bus here instead of staying onboard until reaching the Kamikōchi Bus Terminal. Why? because the pond is best known for its sunrise scenery!
For more information about the stunning pond, refer to our Taishō Pond article!
Click HERE to return to the list of Kamikōchi’s scenic spots.
The Stunning Spot Between Taishō Pond and Tashiro Marsh
Not far from Taishō Pond, a wide area covered by white sand and pebbles is at the end of the wooden promenade above a small stream. Head left, and you will get to the Azusa River. This is another spot where you can take picturesque photos of Mt. Yake and the surrounding mountains.
Compared to the Taishō Pond, you will be closer to the vegetation across the water.
Tashiro Marsh (田代湿原) and Tashiro Pond (田代池)
While not as famous as Kappa Bridge or Taishō Pond, Tashiro Marsh (田代湿原) and Tashiro Pond (田代池) located between the two scenic spots are picturesque throughout the year. Especially in the morning of the colder months, you will find these two spots extra stunning because the plants are covered by a thin layer of frost!
Refer to our article on Tashiro Marsh and Tashiro Pond for more information!
Which Course Will You Choose to Get to Tashiro Bridge from Tashiro Marsh?
Not far away from Tashiro Pond, there is an intersection. You have 2 courses to choose from, the Azusa River Course (梓川コース) or the Forest Course (林間コース). If you don’t have time to explore both courses, we recommend going with the Azusa River Course because you will get a greater variety of views!
Walking along the Azusa River, apart from being surrounded by the spectacular mountain range, because the water is so clean and clear, you can also see the fish swimming in the river!
Click HERE to return to the list of Kamikōchi’s scenic spots.
Tashiro Bridge (田代橋)
Soon after the two divided tracks merge, there is another intersection just in front of Tashiro Bridge. Here, you need to make a decision again, whether to go with the Left Bank Course (左岸コース) and the Right Bank Course (右岸コース).
If you choose not to cross the Tashiro Bridge, take the Left Bank Course. This course consists of a really smooth road, and the first half has a nice view of the Hotaka Mountain Range.
If you cross the Tashiro Bridge, you are on the Right Bank Course. This course is for those after a great view of the Roppyakusan mountain (六百山) and who like to detour to different attraction spots. You can also utilize the free foot spa in front of Kamikōchi Onsen Hotel (the 2nd and the 3rd photo in the IG post).
Tip: If you often take toilet breaks, we recommend choosing the Right Bank Course because the only public toilet you will get from here to Kappa Bridge is on the other side of the Tashiro Bridge. Or, utilize the toilet not too far away from Tashiro Bridge if you prefer the Left Bank Course.
By the way, you might find many cute monkeys lingering around Tashiro Bridge. They are really used to humans, so taking a selfie with them shouldn’t be a hard task (keep your distance, of course). But please don’t feed them or they will start to grab food from future visitors.
Kamikōchi Onsen Hotel (上高地温泉ホテル)
If you choose the Right Bank Course, Kamikōchi Onsen Hotel is not far away from Tashiro Bridge. As you have been walking for a while, how about resting at the free foot spa (足湯) outside of the Kamikōchi Onsen Hotel?
Note the temperature is a bit high, so don’t put both of your feet into the onsen water all at once. If it is around lunchtime, you should be able to buy some lunch from the hotel’s restaurant as well (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
Moreover, the hotel allows day visitors to use its hot spring facility. So, if that is what you are after, purchase a ticket from the vending machine next to the onsen entrance (the 3rd photo in the IG post). Towels can also be rented.
Kamikōchi Lemeiesta Hotel (上高地ルミエスタホテル)
Around Kamikōchi Onsen Hotel and Kamikōchi Lemeiesta Hotel, there are quite a few benches and tables, perfect for a picnic! Of course, carrying a picnic box with you to trek Kamikōchi is pretty cumbersome, which is why lunch boxes are sold at Kamikōchi Lemeiesta Hotel!
The lunch boxes look mouth-watering, but there are probably no vegetarian options. So, if you like to picnic in Kamikōchi’s nature, it is probably a good idea to get some onigiri (rice ball) and snacks from the convenience stores in Nagano (or wherever you board the bus bound for Kamikōchi)!
Or, you can always utilize our Essential Japanese Travel Phrases for Vegetarians and Vegans article to check with the staff (^_-)-☆.
Click HERE to get back to the list of Kamikōchi’s scenic spots.
Weston Monument (ウエストン碑)
Passing the Kamikōchi Lemeiesta Hotel, you will see this relief of Walter Weston. He was a British missionary and mountaineer. Without him, we probably would only know about the charm of Kamikōchi after the internet boom!
The park nearby is named after him as well.
From Weston Park, the view is also stunning. It is the spot that many photographers come to Kamikōchi for. The view of Mt. Kasumizawa (霞沢岳) and Roppyakusan mountain (六百山) is just splendid!
Also, on the first Sunday in June each year, there is Weston Festival held here. If you are interested, plan your trip ahead!
The most important to us, however, is the public toilet in the park (´▽｀*). Without knowing there is a toilet there, we probably wouldn’t dare to drink much water or tea…
You might also spot a couple of wild monkeys in this area (refer to the 3rd and the 4th photo in the IG post).
How to Get to Weston Monument
The Weston Relief is located around a 20-minute walk from Kappa Bridge!
Click HERE to get back to the list of Kamikōchi’s scenic spots.
Kappa Bridge (河童橋), Kamikōchi Bus Terminal (上高地バスターミナル), and the Nearby Facilities
If you take the Left Bank Course, you will walk past Kamikōchi Bus Terminal before reaching Kappa Bridge. On the other hand, the Right Bank Course will get you to this landmark in Kamikōchi first. Regardless of the angle and part of the bridge, your photo is guaranteed to be stunning.
Most important facilities in the area are located close to the bridge, including the Kamikochi Bus Terminal. This part of Kamikōchi is like a transport hub that allows tourists to gain the necessary information to explore the area and rejuvenate.
For more information about what you can do around Kappa Bridge, including restaurants, refer to our article on The Guide to Kappa Bridge and the Nearby Facilities. You can even send a postcard to your families and friends from the post office here!
Click HERE to get back to the list of Kamikōchi’s scenic spots.
Klook.comThe Trekking Course from Kappa Bridge to the Mysterious Myōjin Area
Kappa Bridge ⇒ Dakesawa Marsh ⇒ Hotaka Shrine and Myōjin Pond ⇒ Myōjin Bridge ⇒ Resort Konashi ⇒ Kappa Bridge
This loop course starting from Kappa Bridge will take around 2 hours. While the scenery is extraordinary, there aren’t as many attraction spots as the trekking course between Taishō Pond and Kappa Bridge. This is perfect for all nature lovers who just want to indulge in Kamikōchi’s beauty!
Compared to the trekking course from Taishō Pond to Kappa Bridge, the course leading to Myōjin Area has a deeper slope. While it is not as hard as mountain climbing, you may get tired if you don’t normally exercise. We therefore highly recommend wearing proper trekking footwear to complete this course.
Tip: Make sure you go to the bathroom before you start this journey. The only toilet in this loop course is at Myōjin Shrine, an hour away from Kappa Bridge.
Dakesawa Marsh (岳沢湿原)
If you choose the Right Bank course (the track on the side of the Parklodge Kamikōchi), after walking for 10 to 15 minutes in the coniferous forest from Kappa Bridge, you will reach Dakesawa Marsh.
The view of Roppyakusan Mountain from Dakesawa Marsh is just spectacular! Ensure you get onto the wooden deck because that is where you will get the best photo!
Different from the Tashiro Pond, the pond at Dakesawa Marsh is a sapphire color. Reflecting the bright blue sky and the greenery nearby, the view is just a painting itself!
The moss that grows on the tree is also beautiful (^_-)-☆.
Click HERE to return to the list of Kamikōchi’s scenic spots.
Hotaka Shrine (穂高神社), Myōjin Pond (明神池), and Myōjin Bridge (明神橋)
Trekking further for another hour upstream of the Azusa River, you will reach the Myōjin Area. Here is the ground of God. Not sure if it is because this is where God lives, the atmosphere around the area is just different from Kappa Bridge.
Unless you plan to trek to the Yokoo area, the Myōjin Bridge is the return point of the loop course.
Refer to our article on the Myōjin Area for more information!
Resort Konashi (森のリゾート小梨)
Resort Konashi, also known as the Konashi-daira Campground (小梨平でキャンプ場), is the most affordable accommodation in Kamikōchi. You can choose whether to spend a night in one of their tents or cabins.
While you have to cook your own food at night, they have a shop selling ingredients for you to prepare your dinner, so come with enough clothes and your wallet and you will be able to survive a night in Kamikōchi!
For further information about everything you need to know, they have the Official Website and translate it to English using your browser’s translation function.
Important: The temperature at Kamikōchi rarely exceeds 23 degrees, even in summer (which is why it is the perfect spot to escape summer heatwave). Especially at night, it can be freezing cold. So before you book one of their tent sites, ensure you are prepared and bring eough clothes to Kamikōchi!
Resort Konashi’s Access Information
- To get to the Resort Konashi, take any bus services bound for Kamikōchi and get off at the last stop – Kamikochi Bus Terminal (上高地バスターミナル).
- The Resort is just a 10-minute walk away from the bus stop.
- Note the area is closed for travelers from mid-November to late April.
Click HERE for more information about how to access Kamikochi!
Click HERE to return to the list of Kamikōchi’s scenic spots.
The Most Difficult Trekking Course in Kamikōchi: Myōjin Area to Yokoo Area
Myōjin Bridge ⇒ Yokoo Bridge
Although we said the “most difficult”, the track’s difficulty is still nowhere near mountain hiking. You will just travel through a gentle mountain road (with ups and downs).
And why do we recommend it? Because Yokoo (横尾) is a particularly beautiful place surrounded by silence. Along the way, you will be welcomed by rare plants and wild birds!
Yokoo is also the starting point for climbing the Northern Japanese Alps. So if you plan to do some real hiking, basing at Yokoo Area is definitely what you would want to do (^_-)-☆.
By the way, if you are looking for the starting point of the gorgeous Azusa River, Yokoo is the place that you need to visit!
Yokoo Bridge (横尾大橋)
The view of the Hotaka mountain range from Yokoo Bridge is definitely more magnificent than Kappa Bridge because it towers over you! (≧▽≦).
Just to see this spectacular view, the 3 hours trekking from Kappa Bridge will totally be worth it!
- To get to the Yokoo Bridge, take any bus services bound for Kamikōchi and get off at the last stop – Kamikōchi Bus Terminal (上高地バスターミナル)
- The Yokoo Bridge is a 3-hour walk away from the bus stop
- Note the area is closed for travelers from mid-November to late April
Click HERE for more information about how to access Kamikōchi!
Click HERE to return to the list of Kamikōchi’s scenic spots.
What to Bring to Kamikōchi
- Water bottle with a lot of water inside
- Snacks (as there aren’t that many restaurants around Kamikōchi)
- Plastic bags for your own garbage (because there aren’t bins placed around the trekking tracks)
- Rain gear (folded umbrella, and if you have a raincoat with top and bottom separated, this will be the best option)
- Insect repellent
- Sun cream
What to Wear at Kamikōchi
Footwear:
- If you only plan to explore between Taishō Pond and Kappa Bridge, a pair of sneakers will do.
- But, if you plan to trek to Myōjin Area or even Yokoo Area, then a pair of trekking or even hiking shoes should be a better choice.
Clothing in General:
- The temperature difference between morning and nighttime can be significant in the mountains, not to mention the sudden weather changes. This is particularly true in Kamikōchi. Therefore, we recommend clothes that can be easily taken off and put back on (such as windbreakers and hoodies). Innerwear that is sweat-absorbing and quick-drying will be handy too.
- Even in mid-summer, Kamikōchi rarely has temperatures more than 23 degrees (with the lowest being below 10 degrees). And to avoid bug bites and accidental injuries, long sleeves and pants are always recommended.
- Also, wearing a hat will protect you from the occasional dazzling sunlight!
Clothing Depends on the Season:
- From April to mid-May and in October and November: Kamikōchi may be snowing during these periods of the year. Normal winter clothes that if suitable for areas such as Tokyo are recommended. Wearing a windproof jacket over the fleece or down jacket will keep you really warm!
- The average temperature in April is 7.4℃ and 12.7℃ in October.
- From mid-May to the end of June and from mid-August to the end of September: Kamikōchi may frost during the early morning and at night. If you are arriving at Kamikōchi early or staying over at Kamikōchi, remember to bring a jacket and a pair of gloves with you!
- Recommended clothing is a thin fleece, windbreaker, comfortable long pants, brim hat, and thin gloves.
- The average temperature in May is 14.3℃, 17.1℃ in June, and 17.3℃ in September.
- From July to mid to late August: On a day with good weather, a T-shirt will do, but the temperature will drop in the morning and evening and on a day with bad weather, so remember to bring a thin jacket with you!
- The average temperature in July is 21.2℃, and 21.4℃ in August.
Tip: A cap on a rainy day is really handy. Even if you have a hoodie on, you can still walk comfortably without poor visibility!
Click HERE to return to the list of Kamikōchi’s scenic spots.
How to Get to Kamikōchi
To get to Kamikōchi, you can either drive or get a direct bus from the below places.
Tips:
☛ The right-hand side of the bus has better view when heading to to Kamikōchi.
☛ The 4-Day Alps Crossing Ticket can save you some money on transportation. It gives you unlimited bus and train rides in Kamikochi, Takayama, Shinhotaka, Norikura, and Matsumoto areas. Please be aware that the ticket is invalid on JR trains. For more information, please refer to the official website HERE.
☛ You can also get the Okuhida & Kamikochi Bus Tickets with Shinhotaka Ropeway if you come from Takayama.☛ As mentioned before, watching the sunrise from Taishō Pond and Myōjin Pond is highly recommended. The nighttime buses usually arrive at the Taishō Pond at 5:20 in the morning. This means from October onwards, you will be at the Taishō Pond before sunrise. So, to save time and money, what you can do is, get off the bus at Taishō Pond and watch your first sunrise at Kamikōchi there, stay one night at accommodations in Myōjin Area, and the next morning before sunrise, head to Myōjin Pond!
By Alpico Kōtsū
- From Shinjuku Bus Terminal: 3 services each day (one in the morning and the other 2 at night).
- From Tokyo Station, Shibuya, Osaka, and Kyoto: 1 night time service each day.
- From JR Nagano Station: 1 morning service each day.
- From JR Matsumoto Station and JR Shinshimashima Station (新島々駅): several services are running each day.
Note there may be special services running on the day you plan to travel to Kamikōchi. For more service details, please refer to Alpico Kōtsū’s website HERE.
Important: Please note all bus services departing from Kamikōchi to JR Shinshimashima Station (新島々駅) requires a reservation to board. Please follow the instructions on Alpico Kōtsū’s website HERE to book your return trip.
By Nohi Bus
Nohi Bus (濃飛) provides bus services to Kamikōchi from Takayama Bus Terminal (高山濃飛バスセンター). If you are also planning on visiting all the nearby popular destinations, such as Takayama and Shirakawa-gō, you can board this bus service from Hirayu Onsen (平湯温泉) as well.
If this is what you will do, don’t forget the discount bus ticket HERE and translate the webpage to English using Google Chrome’s translation function at the right of the address bar!
By Meitetsu Bus
If you are coming from Nagoya, then utilize Meitetsu Bus’s services departing from Meitetsu Bus Centre (名鉄バスセンター). We will update this article once the English website is back online.
Getting to Kamikōchi by Train then, Bus?
Per the above, you have quite a few choices to choose from to board the bus bound for Kamikōchi. However, except for services departing from JR Shinshimashima Station (新島々駅), you only get two services at most per day. This leads to the benefit of getting to Kamikōchi by train to Shinshimashima Station (or any other place that suits your schedule more), then changing for a bus from there!
Tip: Most people gets to Shinshimashima Station from Matsumoto Station. Purchase the set ticket from either the ticket vending machine at Matsumoto Station or Matsumoto Bus Terminal (opens at 7am). You don’t want to be the person who needs to get the bus ticket at Shinshimashima Station because it can mean you wouldn’t be able to board the bus you want to take. Also, move forward to the first train carriage as the train approach Shinshimashima Station to be at the front of the queue to board the bus.
Combine Your Visit With Other Nearby Popular Destinations and Save on Transportation
If you are visiting Kamikochi and at least 2 of the following spots, the 4-Day Alps WIDE Free Passport might save you money! The ticket is valid for 4 consecutive days, allowing you ample time to sightsee in each of the destinations!
- Kanazawa
- Shirakawago
- Gokayama
- Takayama
- Matsumoto
More details about the ticket are in our Chūbu region transportation article HERE (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
Tip: If you plan to spend more time in the Nagano Prefecture, it might be worthwhile to consider the 5-Day Nagano Pass, which gives you unlimited rides on Shinano Railway, Nagano Dentetsu, Ueda Dentetsu, and Alpico Kotsu buses. Please note you must hold a valid (unexpired) JR East Pass, Hokuriku Arch Pass, or JR Tokyo Wide Pass to purchase this ticket. For more information, please refer to the official website HERE.
