Kamikochi

Kamikochi is one of Japan’s leading mountain resorts at an elevation of approximately 1,500 meters, overlooking the Hotaka mountain range in the Northern Alps.

It is a magnificent natural scenic spot spreading in the highlands of the upper reaches of the Azusa River in the southern Hida Mountains. It is part of the Chubu-Sangaku National Park and is designated as a national cultural asset (special scenic beauty and special natural monument/natural protected area).

Because of its climatic location at an altitude near the boundary between montane (deciduous broad-leaved forest zone) and subalpine coniferous forests, the area is known for its rich vegetation, including a mixture of both forest elements such as beech, quercus crispula, Japanese white pine, white fir, Japanese white pine, and spruce, as well as riverine forests and wetlands, mainly willows and Japanese larch. Walking time: 1 to 5 hours.

There are walking trails ranging from one to five hours in length, allowing visitors to choose a walk that suits their physical fitness and age.

The area is extremely cold in winter and cool and comfortable in summer.
There are hot springs, and the area is also a base for climbing the Hotaka mountain range and Mt.

Hotels are scattered along the Azusa River, where visitors can dine, rest, or take a day trip.
There is a campground where visitors can relax in nature in summer.

The sedimentary plain stretches about 10 km from Taisho Pond to Yokoo and back, with a maximum width of about 1 km. There are few other flat areas of this size at this altitude in Japan.

Kappa Bridge
This wooden suspension bridge over the Azusa River is one of the symbols of Kamikochi.

Origin of Kamikochi
Kamikochi was named Kamikouchi because “Hotakami-no-Mikoto,” the deity of Hotaka Shrine, descended from Mt. Hotaka and was enshrined here (at the inner shrine of Hotaka Shrine and Myojin Pond), and later became commonly written in the current Kanji characters for “Kamikochi.