Your visit to Kamikōchi shouldn’t stop at Kappa Bridge. 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. Once you enter the Hotaka Shrine, everything would seem so solemn, despite there might be crowds.
Table of Contents
- Hotaka Shrine (穂高神社) and Myōjin Pond (明神池)
- Myōjin Bridge (明神橋)
- The Toilet Facilities in the Myōjin Area
Tips:
☛ The sunrise in the area is stunning. So if you stay overnight at a hotel close by, wake up early and venture out to the lake to wait for the sun to appear from the other side of the mountain. Just note to watch your steps on the way and remember to bring a bright enough flashlight.
☛ If you love flowers, visit Myōjin Area from late May to June. During this short period of time, the area is covered by numerous types of flowers, making the Myōjin Area more colorful!
Hotaka Shrine (穂高神社) and Myōjin Pond (明神池)
The Myōjin Pond consists of one big and one smaller pond. Because the Myōjin Pond is within Hotaka Shrine’s precinct, to visit the pond, you need to pay a 500 yen entrance fee (200 yen for elementary school students).
But, if you have the time, we still recommend paying that 500 yen because the view of Mt. Myōjindake (明神岳) as a backdrop with withered trees at the far end of the pond is just breathtaking!
Regardless of whether you visit the actual Myōjin Pond or not, this is a perfect spot for you to take a rest as there are a few cafes and toilets around Hotaka Shrine (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
Important:
☛ Please refrain from giving food to the wildlife here. It is prohibited!
☛ Myōjin Pond is another pond where you shouldn’t attempt to have an ice skating session. The pond’s surface won’t completely freeze is one reason, and you really won’t want to invade God’s backyard…
Myōjin Ichino Pond (明神一之池)
At the shrine’s Myōjin Ichino Pond, there is a place of worship for Hotaka Shrine’s object of worship, the Hotaka Mountains. There is likely to be a queue in front of the place of worship. It is the best photography spot in the Hokata Shrine.
So, while it might take a while until your term, it will be worth it!
Furthermore, remember to take a walk around the Myōjin Pond. You can take photos of the stunning ponds from various angles.
The waterfowl living in the area might also “pose” in your photos (*´ω｀).
Myōjin Nino Pond (明神二之池)
Myōjin Nino Pond is much smaller than the Myōjin Ichino Pond. It also gives a different impression than the Ichino Pond. While the passageway isn’t as flat as those around Ichino Pond, you should definitely check it out. Towards the end of Nino Pond where the water flows out of the pond, there is even a small waterfall!
Festival at Hotaka Shrine
The God of Hotaka Shrine is said to be the guardian of the Northern Japanese Alps. If you wish to stay safe during your time in the Alps, making prayers at Hotaka Shrine may be a great idea!
On the 8th of October each year, a sacred ritual is performed on Myōjin Pond. The priests of the Shrine will dress in traditional clothes and pray to the God of Hotaka Shrine for the safety of those who entered the Japanese Alps.
It is also a service for those who have had an accident and passed away in the Alps. The aim is to pray for the peace of those spirits.
Hotaka Shrine’s Opening Hours and Access Information
- Hotaka Shrine is open from 9 am to 5 pm.
- To get to the Myōjin Area, 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)
- From the Bus Terminal, it will take you an hour to get here!
Click HERE for more information about how to access Kamikōchi!
Click HERE to return to the list of Kamikōchi’s scenic spots.
Myōjin Bridge (明神橋)
This magnificent suspension bridge was actually only replaced by the old one in 2003. During the replacement of the Myōjin Bridge, the project team decided to move the bridge a couple of meters downstream, probably so the visitors could get a better photo of Mt. Myōjindake (明神岳).
The number of tourists around Myōjin Bridge is probably less than half of those around Kappa Bridge. This means you have a great chance to get a photo of just yourself with the surrounding spectacular scenery!
At the end of the Bridge is the return point of this course (if you don’t plan to trek further to Tokusawa (徳沢), which is another 2 hours of exercise).
Kamikōchi Asayake no Yado Myōjinkan (上高地 朝焼けの宿 明神館) on the other side of Myōjin Bridge is the only hotel in the Myōjin Area. If you are hungry, stop by the hotel’s restaurant. Just note that you probably won’t find any vegetarian options there.
The Toilet Facilities in the Myōjin Area
There are two toilet facilities in the Myōjin area. One is close to the Hotaka Shrine, and the other one is opposite the hotel across Myōjin Bridge, Kamikōchi Asayake no Yado Myōjinkan.
100 yen is required to be left in the donation box if you want to use the toilet at Hotaka Shrine. There are often a queue to use it, too. So, if you aren’t in a hurry, wait until you cross Myōjin Bridge. The public toilet across the bridge is free to use.
Discover Other Stunning Spots in Kamikōchi
Surrounding by the magnificent Northern Japanese Alps, Kamikōchi 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. There are rivers, ponds, forests, and wetlands along the tracks in the area. All of these have disappeared from the life of most people nowadays.
So, if you want to escape from the daily hustle and bustle, refer to our article on Kamikōchi to plan your visit!
