This place was recommended to me by a friend and at that time I wasn’t confident enough with my hiking skills. Then, I found out that even if you just stay at the base of the mountain, you can take a nice walk around the area. It’s a place where both avid hikers and casual nature lovers can enjoy the vast nature of the valley with spectacular view of the mountains.
Guests can’t take private vehicles directly to Kamikochi. There is a No-Private-Car Policy which restricts traffic, also reduces the air pollution and traffic congestion. You can take the bus either from Matsumoto station, or Shinshimashima station. If you prefer to drive, you can park in Sawando Parking and use the bus to get there.
If you’re ok walking around a few kilometers, I highly recommend getting off at the Taisho pond K-28 bus stop. From there, you can take the path down towards Taisho pond to see the picturesque view of Hotakadake peaks. I personally think this is the best way to enjoy Kamikochi for the day. It’s about 3 kms aways from the famous Kappa bridge where you can take a break, enjoy your meal.
Now Japan has developed it and made it accessible to almost everyone, making it into a-walk-in-the-park. I do think it is a wonderful thing as it gives awareness to natural wildlife and ephasize the importance in protecting it. If you want to study more about nature in Kamikochi, I suggest to stop by the Kamikochi Visitor Center. You can get information about the recommended trekking courses, learning about wild flowers and plants, the local birds, animals and all sorts of interesting facts about the area.
There are still footpaths to trek if you’re still energetic for a nature walk. For another 3 kms, you can enjoy a nice walk towards Myojin Bridge. You can continue on if you’re in it for the long distance hike. (I’ll try to do this soon, it sounds so fun.) If you only have a day, you can cross the bridge and take the path to go back to Kappa bridge.
Kamikochi Visitor Center
Near Myojin Bridge, you can visit the Myojin-ike Pond and Okunomiya Shrine. It is a very beautiful and sacred pond. The solemnity of this body of water enshrined by the wild forest and mountains is simply divine.
The landscape in Kamikochi is pretty iconic. I love how you can be surrounded by stunning mountain peaks, traveling along the valley path guided by the aqua blue waters of the Azusa river. It really is a sacred place and I can understand that historically, treading deep in this natural world is a spiritual activity pursued by priests and monks.
After returning to the Kappa Bridge, it will only take you a few minutes to reach the Kamikochi bus terminal to get back to the city.
