■Self-Introduction
Hello everyone! Nice to meet you all! I’m Rui, a student from Hong Kong who came to Japan in June 2024. I love Japanese culture and food, and I have been visiting Japan since I was a teenager. I always dreamed of living in Japan, so about three years ago, I started studying Japanese on my own. This year, my dream came true, and I started living in Japan from June. Currently, I am attending a Japanese language school to focus on the areas I couldn’t learn by myself. After I graduate, I hope to work in a railway-related company or as a translator.
■Why I Decided to Visit Kamikōchi
The reason I decided to visit Kamikōchi was because I found a brochure about a Kamikōchi tour at a travel agency. The brochure showed pictures of a mountain over 3,000 meters tall and the Azusa River flowing through Matsumoto City in Nagano. The landscape was so beautiful that I was amazed even just looking at the photos. I couldn't stop thinking about it, so I checked my schedule and decided to go during the autumn school break.
Since then, I’ve researched a lot about Kamikōchi that I'm curious about, including the information and rules etc. In the meantime, I read a lot of stories related to Kamikōchi, and found that Kamikōchi has been called a "Divine place" since a long time ago. So this time, I would like to introduce what I researched and the charming things I saw after visiting Kamikōchi.
■Brief Introduction about Kamikōchi
・Kamikōchi is along the Azusa River and located in the southern part of the Northern Alps in Nagano Prefecture.
・In 1934, Kamikōchi was designated as part of the Chubu Sangaku National Park.
・Kamikōchi can be visited from mid-April to mid-November each year.
・Can be accessed by train or bus from Tokyo or Nagoya.
・One of the most famous tourist spots in Kamikōchi is Kappa Bridge.
Beautiful scenery spreads throughout the Kamikōchi area. The first popular spot for visitors is Kappa Bridge, which has a great view of the surrounding mountains and river. And then Taisho Pond, which is just a 5-minute walk from the nearest bus stop. In the morning, the mountains are reflected on the calm water in the pond, just like a dream. There are also other famous spots such as Yake-dake and the Hotaka Mountain Range.
※For more detailed information, you can visit the official Kamikōchi website
■Travel Schedule: October 1, 2024 – October 2, 2024 (1 night, 2 days)
【Day 1】
・Travel: Express bus (Shinjuku Bus Terminal → Matsumoto Bus Terminal)
・Accommodation: Hotel near Matsumoto Station
Since there is a lot of walking to do in Kamikōchi, on the first day, I took a 3 hours express bus ride from Shinjuku Bus Terminal to Matsumoto Bus Terminal. After arriving, I spent the rest of the day walking around Matsumoto city and visiting Matsumoto Castle. As a side note, the castle tower of Matsumoto Castle is one of the 12 existing castle towers that has been designated as a national treasure, so it is called "National Treasure 5 Castle" and is the only flat castle among the existing castle towers. Therefore, if you have time, I recommend you visit Matsumoto Castle which is surrounded by nature, and a shopping street that preserves the scenery of the castle town.
【Day 2】
Travel: Three bus trips
① Bus (Matsumoto Bus Terminal → Taisho Pond Bus Stop)
② Bus (Kamikōchi Bus Terminal → via Hirayu Onsen → Takayama Nohi Bus Center)
③ Express bus (Takayama Nohi Bus Center → Shinjuku Bus Terminal)
On the next day, I left Matsumoto Bus Terminal at 5:30 AM and took about 1.5 hours to reach Taisho Pond. After that, I spent time exploring Kamikōchi until around 12:00 PM. In the afternoon, I traveled to Takayama, and by 5:10 PM, I was back at Takayama Nohi Bus Center to catch an express bus back to Shinjuku, arriving at 10:55 PM.
The route I chose might be a bit tough for people who don’t usually exercise, but with this schedule, you can visit three places: Matsumoto, Kamikōchi, and Takayama, all in one trip which is highly recommended.
■The Most Attractive Point of Kamikōchi: The Mystery Scenery
For me, the most attractive thing about Kamikōchi is the mystical landscape. Especially in the morning at Taisho Pond it’s very quiet and not too windy. If you gently approach the water surface and look into it, you feel like you've entered a dream-like world, as the water reflects the surrounding mountains like a mirror, creating a beautiful atmosphere.
Additionally, when the morning sun rises and shines to the Hotaka Mountain Range to turn it into red, the sunlight softly reflects on the surface of Taisho Pond, making the surroundings glow with a golden light. The beauty of this moment is beyond words and unforgettable. To keep this beautiful scene in my memory, I took a deep breath and relaxed my body, feeling a sense of peace and connection with nature. If you have a chance to visit Kamikōchi, I highly recommend going to Taisho Pond in the early morning. The mystical calm and the breathtaking view of the mountains will stay in your heart, making it a special experience you’ll never forget.
■Point to be attention when visiting Kamikōchi: Temperature
The weather on the mountain can change very quickly and the temperature also depends on the season. When I visited, the temperature was around 18°C in the morning and I felt a bit chilly. However, after walking for a while, my body warmed up and started to feel comfortable. Then in the afternoon, the temperature began to rise and according to the sun became stronger, I started to feel a bit hot. So I think it's very important to be careful about the wearing and what to bring when visiting Kamikōchi. Even in hot weather, it's a good idea to bring a jacket to wear over a short-sleeved shirt to stay comfortable.
※If you're unsure about what to bring for your first hiking trip, check the official Kamikōchi website for more information.
■Conclusion
After introducing the charms and recommended points of Kamikōchi, what do you think about it? For those who have never visited, all mountains might seem the same. However, once you experience the grandeur and the mystical atmosphere of Kamikōchi, I’m sure you’ll fall in love with it completely.
Additionally, Kamikōchi has well-maintained hiking trails, so as long as you bring the proper hiking shoes and clothes, even beginners can enjoy the hiking without much difficulty. I visited Kamikōchi as a single traveler and I felt safe because it’s a popular spot with many visitors around. If you're feeling unsure or thinking about "I might get lost" or "I’m worried about being alone," I can tell you no need to be worried and recommend you go ahead to visit Kamikōchi. Just make sure you’re well prepared and follow the hiking rules!
Finally, I’ve made a video about my Kamikōchi trip, so please take a look if you want. I hope my article was helpful to you in some way. Thank you for reading until the end!