Kamikochi [4k]- This Place is Gorgeous

To catch the early morning bus, we spent the night in the car. First we visited the nearby Hirayu Onsen, which might have been the best one we’ve been to. It features nine different baths with varying colors, temperatures, and scents. We liked it so much that we went there two days in a row.

We also dined at the same restaurant two days in a row, it’s a historic building with a thatched roof from Toyama Prefecture, now serving as a museum and a resting place for those waiting for a meal or relaxing after a bath.

Kamikochi is 1,500 meters above sea level and has a pleasant climate even in the summer.

We started our journey from the “Taisho Pond” bus stop, arriving just in time to see the sun illuminating the mountains as the sky brightened from the pre-dawn darkness.

The morning mist, the sunlight filtering through the trees, and the chirping of birds in the enchanting morning forest felt like something out of a picture book or a dream. However, We noticed “bear sighting reports” posted in various places, some as recent as a week ago. Kamikochi is still a national park set in nature.

Fortunately, we didn’t encounter any bears, but we did come across other wildlife. We saw several Japanese macaques grooming each other in the trees, seemingly undisturbed by people passing below. The higher elevation and lower temperatures in the area allowed for a profusion of flowers not commonly seen, and various insects, including butterflies and bees buzzing about but they didn’t flee even when approached closely.

For lunch, we chose grilled char (Iwana) from one of the several restaurants. The char is a white fish living in the clear streams. We saw the fish being caught in the pond and grilled over charcoal. You can eat it from head to tail, bones included.

Originally, We had planned to take a 9 km, 3-hour round trip by bus from this point, but We decided to go further to Tokusawa, which was 3 km ahead. Eventually, We reached the limit of our trekking in lightweight gear – “YokoO”. We couldn’t go further without proper mountain climbing equipment. We were asked how far We would go in our light gear.

The person who talked to us shared a lot of information. We mentioned the “Karasawa Cirque,” which We often heard about. While it requires suitable equipment due to the nature of mountaineering, the course itself is not too difficult, making it accessible for beginners. Observing the equipment others had, We noticed knee and elbow supports, walking sticks, and helmets, which seemed essential for safety. We want to see the “tent lanterns” scattered in the mountain valleys someday.

During the journey, We saw numerous helicopters and it turned out, there were several rescue requests on that day alone. These rescues were not just for injuries or illnesses; there were also distress calls due to lack of skills. We realized that it takes some planning and skill to climb the circuit.

The Azusa River had less water than usual. This was attributed to an unusual lack of rainfall this summer, resulting in significantly lower water levels.
Kawabashi Bridge near the bus terminal was bustling with tourists. Many people were there not for hiking, but to escape the heat.

There was heavy crowding at the bus stop for the return journey. We advise planning for delays if you have connections to trains or express buses, as the line for the return bus could be quite long.

Despite enjoying the breathtaking views, we didn’t feel overly tired. It might have been an illusion, but the air feels fresher and oxygen-rich or perhaps we just breathed more deeply. The weather and temperature were just right, which was definitely a plus.

We plan to revisit next season.

On both the Nagano and Gifu sides, there are hot springs, which can be an excellent way to relax and unwind after a tiring day. There’s an open-air foot bath available. It’s free, so we encourage giving it a try.

We noted that entry to Kamikochi is possible from mid-April to November 15. The area is closed during the winter, so don’t miss the opportunity if you’re considering a visit.
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Access:
Direct buses available from Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, and Kyoto (requires reservation)

Maplink: https://bit.ly/Kamikochi_Nagano

Visit Date: September 2023 Cameras Used: iPhone 14, XR, Insta360
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanarintan ============================================================
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