JP · Nagano Prefecture · 36.25°N 137.63°E

kamikochi

A clear alpine river, Kappa Bridge and the Hotaka peaks on an easy valley walk.

Best time
The valley is only open from about late April to mid-November. Late May and June bring fresh green leaves, and October brings autumn colours. It's cool even in summer, at about 1,500 metres up.
How long
1–2 days
Getting there
Fly from KL to Tokyo, about 7 hours. Take the limited express from Shinjuku to Matsumoto, then a local train and bus into the valley, about 4–5 hours in all. From Takayama, the bus takes about 1.5 hours.
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JP · Nagano Prefecturekamikochi36.25°N 137.63°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,A clear alpine river, Kappa Bridge and the Hotaka peaks on an easy valley walk.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingKamikochiJP, Nagano Prefecture
KLkamikochi
≈ 5,206 km from KL, as the crow flies
Kappa Bridge over the Azusa River at Kamikochi, with the Hotaka mountain range visible behind autumn larches.

Photo: lumoplank · CC0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A high valley in the Northern Japan Alps, inside Chubu-Sangaku National Park. A clear blue-green river runs through forest beneath the jagged Hotaka peaks, and the flat trails make it a walk almost anyone can do.

Makan

  1. Grilled iwanaChar grilled whole on skewers, sold at rest stops along the trail.Map ↗
  2. Shinshu sobaNagano is known for its buckwheat noodles. Have a bowl in Matsumoto on the way.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Kappa BridgeThe wooden suspension bridge at the heart of the valley, with the classic view of the Hotaka peaks.Map ↗
  2. Taisho PondA pond formed when Mount Yake erupted in 1915, with dead trees still standing in the water.Map ↗
  3. The riverside trailThe flat path from Taisho Pond to Kappa Bridge follows the Azusa River and takes about an hour.Map ↗
  4. Myojin PondAn easy walk upriver to a calm pond at the inner shrine of Hotaka Shrine.Map ↗
  5. TokusawaA longer walk further up the valley, through meadows to where the alpine trails begin.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Private cars aren't allowed in. Park at Sawando or Hirayu Onsen and take the shuttle bus or a taxi.
  • Black bears live in the area. Stay on the trails and carry a bell.
  • Don't feed or approach the wild monkeys.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.