Kamikōchi is located at an elevation of around 1,500 meters. It is known for its breathtaking views of the Hotaka peaks, the active volcano Mount Yakedake, and the crystal-clear Azusa River. The valley offers easy walking trails and serves as a starting point for more challenging hikes.
Private vehicles are not allowed into Kamikōchi; access is only possible by bus or taxi, typically with a transfer at Hirayu Onsen.
Kamikōchi Valley is likely breathtakingly beautiful in late spring, summer, and autumn. However, when we visited in the second half of April, the views were not particularly striking, and we left somewhat disappointed. We arrived on the first bus from Hirayu Onsen, so it was relatively quiet at first, though there were already some people around the Kappa Bridge area. When we reached Lake Myōjin, we had it almost entirely to ourselves.
The path beyond, leading to Tokusawa, was quite wet due to melting snow. There weren’t any major highlights along the way, but the walk itself was pleasant—especially since we had the trail nearly to ourselves. The return journey, however (after 10:00 AM), was a completely different story. Crowds of people were streaming in from the opposite direction, and the Kappa Bridge area had become packed. And this was a regular weekday—Friday. It’s hard to imagine what it looks like on a weekend.
We’ve been there, we’ve seen it—but will we want to return? Judging by the crowds, probably not.
Kamikochi is one of the most beautiful places in Japan, worth staying a few days to hike the trails. We stayed overnight, and hiked about 8-9km along a well used path.
Met a snow monkey which followed a couple and us for a distance. There were numerous sign posts about bears and advice to carry bells in our walk. Fortunately, we did not meet any. The scenery keeps changing and water crystal clear.
We stayed in a local hotel which had both indoor and outdoor onsen and a lovely 8 course dinner, using local delicacies.
The drive to Kamikochi was exciting as well. We stopped by a few times to take photos and stopped for coffee in a local cafe. Surprisingly, in a rural place, coffee was properly brewed and it served the best apple pie and sold freshly plucked apples, which were both sweet and crunchy, from a local farm nearby.
This discovery made us detour to search for apple and persimmon farms in the vicinity as these were in season.
We ate the best apples, and surprisingly, they were much better than apples from other fruit farms in another apple producing country.
The majestic appearance of the Hotaka mountain range and the beauty of the crystal clear water of the Azusa River are wonderful. The view is so beautiful that one forgets about the time and listens to the sound of the river. Since there are many tourists during the daytime, we recommend that you visit in the evening or at night! You can enjoy the majestic nature more if you enjoy it quietly at dawn.
The car management system is very good. It is not chaotic or difficult to travel to. The mountain view, the sound of the wind, the smell of pine trees, nature is waiting for us to visit. It is very worthwhile.
Large landscaping near Takayama, take a rest Place, proper to hiking, 1st date opening in April some hiking way need to be developed (clear the pile of snow), more food to serve above the Kappa bridge
