If someone asks me, “Where is the most beautiful place in the mountainous areas of Japan?” I will immediately say “It is Kamikochi (Nagano Prefecture)”. The beauty of Kamikochi can not be expressed very much in photos or videos. In Kamikochi, there is the finest resort hotel in Japan, the Kamikochi Imperial Hotel. The view of the mountains from the balcony of the room is excellent. It will be a wonderful memory to stay in the hotel and hike around.

JAPAN ALPS  Kamikochi

Kamikochi is located in Chubu Sangaku National Park in Nagano Prefecture in central Honshu, Japan. In the central part of Honshu, there is a mountainous area that rises to an altitude of 3,000 meters above sea level. This area is often referred to as the “Japanese Alps” because of its similarity to the mountainous regions of Switzerland. Kamikochi is one of the most popular mountain tourist destinations in this area.

The tourist season in Kamikochi is from May to October. from late May to around late June, the fresh green leaves are glorious and beautiful. From July to August, the area also experiences a brief summer, when flowers bloom prettily. The autumn foliage is spectacular around October. Let us introduce you to the seasonal scenery of Kamikochi.

Spring and summer

Hotaka mountains and Kappa bridge in Kamikochi, Japan = shutterstock

Hotaka mountains and Kappa bridge in Kamikochi, Japan = shutterstock

Beautiful Taisho Pond in summer. Greenery shines on the lake surface. Kamikochi, Japan = Shutterstock

Beautiful Taisho Pond in summer. Greenery shines on the lake surface. Kamikochi, Japan = Shutterstock

The Azusa River, which flows through the center of Kamikochi, is not developed by humans and is surprisingly pure, Kamikochi, Japan = Shutterstock

The Azusa River, which flows through the center of Kamikochi, is not developed by humans and is surprisingly pure, Kamikochi, Japan = Shutterstock

Clear stream of Azusa River, Nagano, Japan=Shutterstock

Clear stream of Azusa River, Nagano, Japan=Shutterstock

Kamikochi Imperial Hotel is operated by Tokyo Imperial Hotel Group. It is closed during the winter, Kamikochi, Japan

Kamikochi Imperial Hotel is operated by Tokyo Imperial Hotel Group. It is closed during the winter, Kamikochi, Japan

Kamikochi Imperial Hotel is a very popular resort hotel, Nagano prefecture, Japan = Shutterstock

Kamikochi Imperial Hotel is a very popular resort hotel, Nagano prefecture, Japan = Shutterstock

Kamikochi Imperial Hotel has a beautiful interior, Nagano Prefecture, Japan = Shutterstock

Kamikochi Imperial Hotel has a beautiful interior, Nagano Prefecture, Japan = Shutterstock

Myojin pond at Hotaka Rear Shrine in Kamikochi, Nagano, Japan = SHutterstock

Myojin pond at Hotaka Rear Shrine in Kamikochi, Nagano, Japan = SHutterstock

Kamikochi is a place that many hikers yearn for, Nagano Prefecture, Japan = Adobe Stock

Kamikochi is a place that many hikers yearn for, Nagano Prefecture, Japan = Adobe Stock

Mountain stream along the trail, Nagano, Japan = Shutterstock

Mountain stream along the trail, Nagano, Japan = Shutterstock

The area around the Azusa River in Kamikochi is perfect for a walk, Nagano Prefecture, Japan = Adobe Stock

The area around the Azusa River in Kamikochi is perfect for a walk, Nagano Prefecture, Japan = Adobe Stock

 

Autumn

Autumn comes quietly in Kamikochi, Nagano Prefecture, Japan = Shutterstock

Autumn comes quietly in Kamikochi, Nagano Prefecture, Japan = Shutterstock

In the fall, the Kamikochi forest and grassland begin to glow red and yellow, Kamikochi, Japan

In the fall, the Kamikochi forest and grassland begin to glow red and yellow, Kamikochi, Japan

Autumn scenery in Kamikochi is more beautiful than painting, Kamikochi, Japan = Shutterstock

Autumn scenery in Kamikochi is more beautiful than painting, Kamikochi, Japan = Shutterstock

The trees in Kamikochi are much more lively than in the city, Kamikochi, Japan = Shutterstock

The trees in Kamikochi are much more lively than in the city, Kamikochi, Japan = Shutterstock

The area around the Azusa River, which was green until summer, is now completely autumnal, Nagano Prefecture, Japan = Shutterstock

The area around the Azusa River, which was green until summer, is now completely autumnal, Nagano Prefecture, Japan = Shutterstock

Snow on the Hotaka mountain range, Nagano Prefecture, Japan = Shutterstock

Snow on the Hotaka mountain range, Nagano Prefecture, Japan = Shutterstock

 

Winter

Kamikochi is closed during the winter = SHutterstock

Kamikochi is closed during the winter = Shutterstock

Beautiful winter scenery of Kamikochi, Nagano Prefecture, Japan = Adobe Stock

Beautiful winter scenery of Kamikochi, Nagano Prefecture, Japan = Adobe Stock

 

Twilight

Early dusk in the mountains, Nagano, Japan=Shutterstock

Early dusk in the mountains, Nagano, Japan=Shutterstock

The scenery of Kamikochi changes beautifully from early morning to the evening, Kamikochi, Japan

The scenery of Kamikochi changes beautifully from early morning to the evening, Kamikochi, Japan

Basic Information on Kamikochi

Address Kamikochi Azumi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-1516
Access It takes about 3 hours from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo to Matsumoto Station by JR Express. From Matsumoto Station, take the Matsumoto Electric Railway to Shin-Shimashima Station (30 minutes), and from Shin-Shimashima Station, take a bus to Kamikochi (1 hour).
Major Places of Interest Kappa Bridge: A suspension bridge over the Azusa River. Beautiful photos can be taken with the mountains in the background.

Myojin Pond: Mysterious and beautiful. The one-hour walk from Myojin Pond to Kappa Bridge is especially recommended.

>>Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say at Tripadvisor!

 

You can read more about Kamikochi in the following article.

Thank you for watching to the end.

Kamikochi is much colder than Tokyo or Kyoto, so be careful what clothes you bring when you go there. When visiting Kamikochi, you may also visit the famous Matsumoto Castle in nearby Matsumoto City.

 

 

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