Perfect designation anytime but specially when it’s more than hotter during summer, KAMIKŌCHI is a perfect get away. One of the Japan’s National Cultural Asset was a refreshing tour to me.
Nagano, which is one of my favorite destinations for any season was ready to give me lot of surprises.
Hakuba is located in the northwestern of Nagano prefecture with 3000m tall Northern Alps. This is where the Winter Olympic Game was held in 1998. Hakuba’s Happo is one of the popular destinations for winter sports and has lot of resorts. We were all set to drive from Hakuba to Kamikōchi.
Driving from Hakuba, we were surrounded by mountains and wide green farms all around.
Nagano is blessed by nature with a landscape suitable for cultivation of variety of fruits and vegetables.
Luckily we could catch a PEACH FARM where we had a small stop over. We could enter the farm and purchase fresh peaches
There was a VEGETABLE FARM as well, where we could experience cultivation of Tomatoes, Cucumber, Egg plant, Corn, Chilli etc.,
And with fresh peaches with us we continued our drive towards northern alps.
Driving through the outskirts of MATSUMOTO we parked our car at Azusa Dai 1 parking which was convenient for us to take bus to Kamikōchi.
The bus to Kamikōchi is scheduled for every 30mins. We took tickets from vending machine at Sawando Ohashi Bus stop.
The cost of one way ticket is ¥1300. If you buy round way ticket you can save ¥200.
Just Note!
With the round trip ticket it is possible for you to get down and take bus anywhere through the whole route. For those who do not wish to walk or hike, I recommend using this option while travelling towards Kamikōchi.
There are many hiking routes available. But, some of them will be suspended during winter. A recommended one for a day trip is getting down at TAISHO POND and walking towards KAPPA BRIDGE.
We took our first stop at TAISHO POND. There is a restaurant and a souvenir shop near the bus stop where we got down. The pond which is bright green and the northern alps behind it looks perfect scenic.
Slightly different from most recommended trail, we took bus from TAISHO POND and got down at KAMIKŌCHI IMPERIAL HOTEL stop and from the bus stop we had to walk around 5mins to reach TASHIRO BRIDGE.
Walking trail is a peaceful scenic route surrounded by green trees, river, mountains ⛰️
Just Note!
You are not allowed to take pets along as they might provoke other animals living in that area and might cause danger.
From TASHIRO BRIDGE it took around 20mins (1.5km) to reach KAPPA BRIDGE. In the whole journey to KAMIKŌCHI I felt this was one of the most beautiful scenic route. Surrounded by greenery, chilled flowing AZUSA RIVER, we could feel the cool breeze even at that peak summer of Japan.
You can also stop in between and get to the stream where you can relax and enjoy its calmness.
Note!
You will NOT find any trash bin on the trail in KAMIKOCHI as they request us to take back all the trash along with us not to pollute the natural resource.
You will find toilets along the trail in case of a break!!!!!!!
The trail leads us to the main attraction of KAMIKOCHI the KAPPA BHASHI BRIDGE. This place had a spectacular surprise and bundle of joy with it. The bridge which stands across the AZUSA RIVER gives a wide view of Mt. HOTAKA ⛰️
Around KAPPA BHASHI there are many restaurants, dessert shops and souvenir shops as well. During peak seasons there will be long queue at all places.
Note!
I recommend carrying a water bottle, a towel and few snacks along. As I travelled in summer, I packed with me cap and sun glasses too.
It is not the destination that matters, it’s how and with whom you traverse the whole journey that matters.
Far away from the busy life of TOKYO, our summer trip shifted us to a calm and peaceful atmosphere.
KAMIKŌCHI, nation’s cultural asset became an asset of memories for us which we will cherish forever.