Japan’s Northern Alps, also known as the Hida Mountains, are some of Japan’s most spectacular and rugged mountain ranges, spanning numerous prefectures across central Honshu. Like virtually any other destination in the magical realm of Japan, the Northern Alps are worth revisiting at least four times – once during each season. In winter, the iconic ski slopes of Hakuba draw skiers and snowboarders from all around the world. In autumn, breathtaking autumn foliage blankets entire mountains in warm shades of red and yellow. In spring, the stunning Murodo Plateau showcases the towering snow walls of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. In summer, the alpine treks of Kamikochi reopen, taking you through the lush green forests and crystal-clear rivers of the Alps.
Kamikochi, part of the sprawling Chubu Sangaku National Park, is a mountainous highland valley nestled within Japan’s Northern Alps. Approximately 18km in length, it runs along the crystal-clear Azusa River and is surrounded by majestic mountain peaks – including the 3,190m-high Mount Hotaka (Japan’s third-highest mountain), and the 2,455m-high Mount Yake (an active volcano). From multi-day hikes in the wilderness to friendly hikes easily completed within a day, Kamikochi offers a variety of experiences with breathtaking alpine scenery at every turn. We spent an absolutely wonderful day in Kamikochi at the end of May 2026, and I am happy to share our experiences and suggestions in this article.
This is Part 2 of a three-part feature covering the best of:
Essential Information
Hiking Season
Kamikochi is open from mid-April to mid-November, with the exact dates varying each year.
Each season brings out a different side of Kamikochi. You will see snow-capped mountains and fresh greenery in spring (April to June), lush green forests and blooming flowers in summer (July to August), and the spectacular red-yellow foliage in autumn (October to November).
For more detailed and updated information on the exact dates which Kamikochi is open, please refer to this part of the Kamikochi official website.
Accommodations within Kamikochi
You can easily visit Kamikochi as a day-tripper, either based out of Matsumoto or Takayama. For reference, the Sawando entrance is only an hour’s drive away from Matsumoto.
Alternatively, you can choose to stay in the various hotels and resorts available within Kamikochi itself, and enjoy very special sunrises, sunsets, and starry nights.
For more detailed and updated information on the accommodation options, please refer to this part of the Kamikochi official website.
Access via car
Private cars are not allowed to enter the actual Kamikochi area. Hence, if you’re driving (my recommended method of exploring the non-city areas of Japan), park either at the Sawando entrance if you’re coming from Matsumoto, or at the Hirayu entrance if you’re coming from Takayama.
From either entrance, regularly scheduled, designated eco-buses will take you to the main Kamikochi trekking area, with scheduled stops at some of the main attractions along the various routes. Tickets can be bought directly on the spot at the Sawando bus terminal (beside the car park)
The last eco-bus leaves the Kamikochi Bus Terminal at around 6pm, but the exact schedule varies from season to season, so do check the notices at the bus stations for updated information. When we were there in late May, we caught the last bus at 5:40pm.
For more detailed and updated information on the designated eco-buses, please refer to this part of the Kamikochi official website.
Access via public transport
For more detailed and updated information on access to Kamikochi via public transport, please refer to this part of the Kamikochi official website.
Admission fees
There are no admission fees for visiting the Kamikochi nature reserve or its various trails
However, you will need to pay a fee to take the eco-bus from Sawando/Hirayu, which would be a pseudo-admission fee. Our return tickets from Sawando cost 3,000 JPY per person, which in my opinion is very reasonable for a vast nature reserve as beautiful as Kamikochi.
Precautions against bears
Kamikochi is home to the Japanese Black Bear. In recent years, the incidence of bear sightings has increased materially. However, the chance of encountering a bear on the main tourist trekking routes around Kappabashi/Myojin Pond/Taisho Pond (which are the ones I will cover below) is very low. The risks increase significantly if you venture deep into the wilderness for longer treks beyond the main Kamikochi area, or if you trek at dusk or dawn.
That said, there are still frequent bear sightings around the area. We saw several signboards detailing such reports by other trekkers.
Some of the precautions include carrying a bear bell, which will alert any bears in the area to your presence. Evidently, black bears are shy and will naturally avoid people. Hence, bear bells mitigate the risk of accidentally startling a black bear. During your treks, you will hear the endless chiming of bear bells attached to the backpacks of your fellow trekkers, which did give us a sense of safety and security. (I was on high alert mode during the quieter sections of the trek where there were less people around, and hence less bear bells around).
A more drastic measure would be to carry a bear spray (purchasable in most places, including in the shops near Kamikochi bus terminal) but I don’t think that’s necessary unless you plan on camping in the wilderness.
Bear (or bear avoidance) culture is deeply enshrined in the trekking culture around this area, which does make for some memorable observations and encounters. Savour it, and stay safe.
Detailed Hiking Map of Kamikochi
This detailed map from the official Kamikochi website has all the information you’ll need for your perfect day in Kamikochi.
The iconic Kappa Bridge is the center of Kamikochi, with many souvenir shops, restaurants, toilets, and other facilities where you can rest and get refreshments. More importantly, Kappa Bridge is a 5-minutes walk from the Kamikochi bus terminal, which is where you will take the bus back to either Sawando or Hirayu. Hence, this is where I suggest you end your hike.
From Kappa Bridge, the western loop takes you to Taisho Pond and back. If you only have 2-3 hours here, I will recommend only taking this loop as the scenery is more varied on this route. If you have more time like we did, I will recommend also going on the eastern loop to Myojin Pond and back. This is a quieter and longer hike with less dramatic views, but with an equally enjoyable walk through the woods.
You will start your day at either Sawando/Hirayu, taking the eco-bus headed to the Kamikochi bus terminal near Kappa Bridge. One big tip is to alight at the Taisho Pond bus stop on the way from Sawando/Hirayu and start your hike there, instead of going all the way to the Kamikochi bus terminal. This way, you can cut the Taisho Pond loop by half into a one-way journey.
Our Route
We started at Taisho Pond, hiked to Kappa Bridge, completed the Myojin Loop, and spent some time at the shops at the Kappa Bridge area before taking the last bus out at 5:40pm.
Including photo stops, rest stops, eating, and shopping, we covered 14.1km in 5:30 hours.
Suggested Day-trip Trekking Route
Take the park eco-bus and alight at Taisho Pond
After parking at Sawando, we boarded the eco-bus heading to the Kamikochi bus terminal, but made the spontaneous decision to alight at the Taisho Pond bus stop (which turned out to be a great decision).
We were greeted by the tranquil scene of the calm surface of Taisho Pond reflecting the surrounding Mount Yake. Taisho Pond was formed in 1915 when Mount Yake erupted and blocked part of Azusa river. Today, partially submerged dead trees in Taisho Pond continue standing tall, silently reminding us of Taisho Pond’s violent geological origins.
Trek to Kappabashi / Kappa Bridge
The trek from Taisho Pond to Kappa Bridge was the quintessential Kamikochi hiking experience, with well-maintained trails taking us up close to the Azusa River, through lush green forests and open marshlands, accompanied by views of the various snow-capped mountain peaks at every turn.
Throughout the hike, various signboards with “Black Bear Sighting Reports” and the occasional bear bell post reminded us that we were in bear country. Although, I did feel really reassured by the constant chime of bear bells all around us.
Tashiro Marsh / Pond
We passed by Tashiro Marsh on the way to Kappa Bridge, a marshland with unblocked views of the Hida Mountains.
Kappa Bridge
After slightly more than an hour, we arrived at the iconic Kappa Bridge (or Kappabashi), the cultural heart of Kamikochi. It was clearly the tourist hub as well, with many shops, restaurants, and hotels nearby – the perfect place for a snack and some souvenir shopping.
Kappa Bridge offered arguably the best view in all of Kamikochi, with the crystal-clear Azusa River gently flowing under the iconic wooden suspension bridge, framed by majestic snow-capped mountain peaks.
Take the Myojin Pond Loop
After admiring the views and enjoying some of the snacks we had packed for the day, we embarked on the Myojin Pond Loop. This section of the hike was noticeably quieter, and we were the only hikers around for parts of this loop. By then, we had grown accustomed to the safety of bear bells, and the lack thereof gave rise to some bear-related paranoia.
Myojin Bridge was the midpoint of this loop, where we crossed the Azusa River to the Myojin First Pond. Entrance to the Myojin Ponds cost 500 JPY person and we gladly paid the fee since we were already there. There was a little shrine, in a Pulau Ubin quarry-esque setting, but in all honesty, I wasn’t particularly impressed by Myojin Pond.
We then began our return journey back along the other side of the river.
Return to Kappa Bridge, Take the bus back to Sawando
Back at Kappa Bridge, we spent some time in the souvenir shops. We bought traditional bear bells to keep as souvenirs (I know, a little too late) and savoured a delicious frozen apple pie outside.
We took a 5-minutes walk to the Kamikochi bus terminal before boarding the last bus at 5:40pm back to Sawando and retrieving our car.
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